So, do you work or just do this?

I just loved this Facebook post and wanted to share it because it illustrates what many of us experience:

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I’m not sure what my response would actually be and whether it would be appropriate, but it would be something along the lines of:

“I’m glad you’ve recognized the massive amount of work that goes into running a vacation rental while simultaneously running another business; creating a well balanced home life; feeding my pets, spouse and children ( not necessarily in that order) and managing the myriad small issues that arise each day in a way that creates a perception of seamless perfection. When you call at 11pm to ask how the microwave works because your popcorn is not cooking properly, or email an urgent request to have a lightbulb changed, responding politely is part of the job, so I guess it could be called ‘work’. However, since I have chosen to live in this paradise and create the illusion that managing ‘this’ is an effortless process, I won’t spoil it by telling it like it is. So yes, I just do this and love every minute of it, which is why it looks so easy.”

What’s your response?

About the author

Heather Bayer

  • Does the term “hospicide” actually exist. If not it probably should 🙂

  • Love it John!

    Heather’s last blog post..So, do you work or just do this?

  • We must look permanently frazzled then! Guests most often apologise for disturbing us (no, no, we reply, we are here to be disturbed) or refer to our quick trip to the supermarket as our ‘day off’ (response unprintable). Come on, tell, Heather, how do you make it look so effortless? I try very hard to do that but obviously need some lessons!

  • LOL Margaret – I have one cottage that is 4 km from where I live so I’m not on site. I delegate all post 6pm phone calls to my husband and he deals with most of the maintenance issues. You have all those apartments and are on site as concierge, tour adviser, caretaker, and everything else. I don’t come anywhere close to what you look after and have massive admiration for what you achieve. I’d love to hear the unprintable response though!

    Heather’s last blog post..So, do you work or just do this?

  • As I am not on site, it doesn’t happen, but even so, it sometimes feels like a full time job just keeping calendars, websites etc up to date.

  • Oh yes! We’ve had that type of question a few times! It aways catches me unprepared so I usually laugh and say something along the lines of “Yes this is how we earn our living! There’s a lot more work to it than you probably think but you’re on holiday so you don’t want to hear about that!” Then – “How are you enjoying your stay?/ What do you think of the area?” Hopefully by the time they have praised the apartments – the cleanliness/comfort/ the extra services and said how much they are enjoying all the great things to do and see (something to do with all the information and help we provide perhaps?) – the penny starts to drop that we do a bit more than just change the beds every week!

    Dena Rowlands’s last blog post..Dancing with Devils -The Catalan Correfoc

  • I feel a blend of both would be an appropriate answer from me. I love what I do so I’m not sure if it is fair to say it is work but on the flip side while I’m “doing it” I am not able to do hobbies, traveling, socializing, conversation, reading, etc. which are enjoyable to me. So in a sense it is work. It takes me away from other things I love to do. The fact that I get paid to do it also qualifies it as work. Oh well! Either way I love it! I try to be upbeat and positive around guests and potential customers.

  • Lovely post and comments. We’re not on site but I have often imagined the scenario as I get a toned down version when I tell people I “run a little business from home.” If they ask what it is, you can see in their eyes that they think it’s a walk in the park, and even though I’m rarely hands on, the actual “other stuff” in itself is quite hard work if the business is to be successful. So I am in total awe of on site owners. It must take great self control to respond in the upbeat way Joanne recommends but guests certainly don’t want to receive a catalogue of your day-to-day activities, tempting as it is to supply the reality check!

    It must be nice to have the occasional B&B or hands on rental home owner at your own properties: only they truly understand ….

  • I can’t say I’ve been asked, though I can sympathise with those who have! I think it’s more a case of the guest just wanting to be ‘chatty’ and showing interest, rather than necessarily assuming you have it easy…

    …but then I could be wrong. 🙂