Just a few weeks ago, checking into a hotel in Chicago, I was given a truly awful room. The heater sounded like a 1938 Ford with bad shocks and slipping fan belts. The view was of a wall. Grim for a 4 night stay.

This was the weekend of the Bears - Vikings game, and the town was full.

I did not scream at anyone, but being calmly adamant worked. I called down and said that the room was simply unacceptable. I was told to come back to reception. I had waited in line for about 20 minutes the first time, so I said that I would come directly to the woman on the phone, whose accent I recognized as belonging to the one who had checked me in. She said that I would have to wait in line. I said that I had already done that.

Down went I. And straight to the person mentioned. Are you in line, she asked. Yes, I said, I'm in this line. What''s the problem? The room you gave me is simply not acceptable. It is shabby and the heater would keep me awake all night it is so loud. You'll have to get in line, she said. I said, I have been in line, please take me next.

Perhaps you should speak with the manager? she asked. I said that was a good idea.

The manager, also working the check in counter perhaps having sensed an impending riot, went through the same routine with me. What's the problem.

Not screaming, but calmly, firmly and loudly enough so that several people in the line close to me could hear, I repeated my complaints. I said that I had been in line a long time to get a room already and that checking in should not take as long as my flight from the west coast.

She took me next. She gave me a room on the top floor with a view over Michigan Avenue to the lake.

I stopped by later to thank her profusely and we exchanged smiles over the next days.

I think if I had screamed, I would not have been successful. Likewise, had I been quiet and seeminlgy ready to cave.

A balance, perhaps?

Best wishes if you got this far,

Teacher49

She said