Can a Japanese Inn Refuse Guests Who Speak Casually? What Japanese People Say

What Japanese people said — picked from the top 100 of 2,508 comments

• I don't think it's controversial enough to be called that. This response is obviously the right call.

  物議を醸すほどの内容じゃないと思う ふつうにこの対応で大正解でしょ

  — @クロクマ-z5g565 likes

• The inn also has the right to choose its guests, so I think this is a top-tier response.

  店側にも客を選ぶ権利があるので 神対応だと思います

  — @にしちょ-o7z4,272 likes

• However rude the guest is, I work every day too, and I can't help thinking: is that really all the effort you're willing to make, choosing guests over something like this?

  相手がどれだけ無礼でも毎日仕事してる身としては それくらいで客を選ぶ程度のやる気しかないんか、とは思う

  — @ロマンシングパパ3 likes

• A popular inn probably doesn't have to worry about sales, so it has no need to take in guests who might cause trouble. I think it's the right call.

  人気の宿なら売り上げ等問題ないだろうから、迷惑かかるかもしれない客を入れる必要ないので正しい判断だと思う

  — @fwinsi59312,562 likes

• If the guests are the problem, the decent ones leave to protect themselves, so I think it's a good call.

  利用する客の質が悪いと、まともなお客様が自衛の為に離れて行くので良い判断だと思う

  — @Hawks9991,991 likes

• So many people don't realize that the right to choose customers belongs to the provider. A wonderful response.

  客を選ぶ権利は提供側にあることも知らない人種が多い。素晴らしい対応です。

  — @ケンチ-f3i687 likes

• I'm in the restaurant business, and I do tell people like this we're full. And anyone who no-shows an online booking, or only tells us afterward that they're canceling, we ban from booking altogether.

  飲食店だけど、こういう客マジで満席って言って断ってる。あともっと言うとネット予約無断キャンセルしたり事後報告でキャンセル連絡した奴も全員予約禁止にしてる。

  — @SMTeee517 likes

• I work in customer service, and these people really do exist. When it happens I just respond in kind, but I have no idea why they always have to talk down to everyone.

  客商売してるけど、こういう奴ホントにいるんだよなぁ。まぁその時はこっちも相応の態度でしか相手しないけど、なんで一々上から目線でしか話せないのかが謎すぎる。

  — @daigouniversity976 likes

• Honestly, not everyone has the time to keep dealing with idiots who weren't raised properly.

  まず躾がなってないようなアホをいつまでも相手にしてる程みんなヒマじゃないのよ

  — @nyamat87621,330 likes

• That's fine. Someone who is this rude on the phone can turn into a parade of complaints, nitpicking, put-downs and abuse once they actually show up at a hotel or shop.

  それで良いと思います。電話でこのレベルだとホテルや店に実際来られるとクレーム・難癖・見下し・暴言のオンパレードになる輩いますからね。

  — @-BEATON-207 likes

• Crazy guests turned away at the door? No, turned away on the phone is better. Online bookings like Jalan can't tell, so inns that want to choose their guests might be better off taking phone bookings.

  いかれた客は門前払い？いや電話口払いでいい。 じゃらんとかのネット予約の場合は見抜けないから、客選びたい旅館やホテルは、皆電話予約にした方がいいかも。

  — @ひろ-h7k250 likes

• You can tell a lot about someone from a phone call. I think shops should be allowed their own rules too.

  電話の会話でも人となりは見えたりするからね。 お店側の独自のルールがあってもいいと思います。

  — @神楽-b2m52 likes

• This is why I understand innkeepers turning people away. I've turned someone away on the phone the same way before, and at the end of one call the guest said, "What's your problem..." tch, and hung up with a clatter. They were a nasty guest to the very end, so I'm glad I turned them down.

  本当にこういう客がいるから民宿の方が断るのも頷けます 自分も前に電話で同じような断り方をしたことあるし電話の最後に客に「なんやねん……チッ」ガチャって切られたことあります 最後まで嫌な客だったので断って良かったです

  — @RとS59 likes

Can a Japanese inn refuse a guest for speaking casually?

Yes, and most commenters say it's the right call. The top comment (4,632 likes) says turning away a rude guest protects the other guests. Another (2,562 likes) says a popular inn has no need to take in guests who might cause trouble, because it doesn't have to worry about sales.

Why do Japanese commenters support turning rude guests away?

They point mainly to the other guests. One comment (1,991 likes) says that when the guests are the problem, the decent ones leave to protect themselves. Another (207 likes) says a rude caller can turn into a parade of complaints, nitpicking and abuse once they show up in person.

Does the phone call matter when an inn picks its guests?

Several commenters say it does. One says you can tell a lot about someone from a phone call (52 likes). Another (250 likes) notes that online booking sites like Jalan can't show that, so inns that want to choose their guests might prefer phone bookings.

Japanese people also answered

• Do Japanese hotels charge a cancellation fee if you're sick?
• Will a hotel in Japan waive the fee if I call to cancel?
• What happens if you smoke in a non-smoking hotel room in Japan?
• Can a ryokan fine you for smoking if nobody told you the rule?
• Can I wear the hotel yukata to the breakfast buffet in Japan?
• Why is a yukata fine at a ryokan but not at a hotel?

• #HotelsIs There a Fine for Smoking in a Japanese Hotel Room?

  Expect a cleaning charge. A ryokan cut a smoker's ¥30,000 bill to ¥10,000, and the top comment (4,133 likes) praised it. Hotel staff call ¥30,000 cheap.

  4,133 likes
• #HotelsCan You Wear a Yukata to Hotel Breakfast in Japan? Ryokan OK

  At most ryokan yes, at many city hotels no. Top answer (4,851 likes): rules vary by property, check at check-in. Unsure? Skip room wear (60 likes).

  4,851 likes
• #HotelsCan a Family of 4 Share a Hotel Room in Japan? Staff Answer

  Not in a room booked for two. Co-sleeping passes for a toddler, not a sixth grader (95 likes), and ex-ryokan staff say kids' meals and bedding are billed.

  6,610 likes
• #HotelsCan You Take Hotel Amenities Home in Japan? Japanese Answer

  Yes for the wrapped tea, coffee and toothbrush in your room. The top reply on it (362 likes) says taking them actually helps. Mugs and bottles stay.

  1,888 likes