Edited by author 07-30-2003 10:50 PM
Speaking of hotels, this spot-on observation from "Fragrant Harbor" by John Lanchester {a wonderful novel of Hong Kong}:

"I liked the feeling of being inside the Bank, behind the public façade, in the smell of paper and business. As a trade, with its emphasis on maintaing appearances, separating morality from practical judgement, and keeping the customer intimidated, it had many similarities with hotelkeeping."

"Keeping the customer intimidated"? Depends on the hotels you
frequent I guess.