Supporting the forgotten heroes of the hospitality industry—the partners who have mastered celebrating birthdays on Tuesdays.
“Because the hotel always comes first.”
Statement of Purpose
The Ho-Anon Family Groups are a fellowship of relatives and friends of hospitality workers who share their experience, strength, and hope — mostly the hope that tonight’s “I’ll be home by seven” is less of a lie than yesterday’s. We gather to solve our common problems: cold dinners, empty weekends, and the growing suspicion that the hotel is in a more committed relationship with our partner than we are.
We believe hospitality is a family illness — which is awkward, because it also pays the family’s bills. Changed attitudes can aid recovery; so can a microwave, a shared Netflix password, and an emotional-support pizza. Ho-Anon is not allied with any sect, denomination, political entity, organization, or institution; does not engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any cause — though we are quietly pro-dog, because somebody has to be excited to see you. There are no dues for membership: Ho-Anon is self-supporting through its own voluntary contributions and the loose change left over from your patience.
Ho-Anon has but one purpose: to help families of hospiholics survive the front desk, the phone that never stops ringing, and the phrase “blackout dates.” We do this by practicing the Twelve Steps, by welcoming and giving comfort to families of hospitality workers, and by giving understanding and encouragement to the hospiholic — who, bless their heart, is definitely “just finishing up” and absolutely “walking out the door right now.”
Ho-Anon’s 12 Steps
Because of their proven power and worth, AA’s Twelve Steps have been adopted almost word for word by Ho-Anon. They represent a way of life appealing to all people of goodwill, of any religious faith, or none. Note the power of the very words.
- We admitted we were powerless over hospitality — that our lives had become unmanageable.
- Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity, or at least to a normal sleep schedule.
- Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of whatever Higher Power could help us accept last-minute schedule changes.
- Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves, including why we keep agreeing to “maybe next weekend.”
- Admitted to our Higher Power, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our resentments about missed holidays, canceled plans, and surprise double shifts.
- Were entirely ready to have our Higher Power remove all these defects of character, especially our tendency to take it personally when they choose work over dinner.
- Humbly asked Him (or HR, or the universe) to remove our shortcomings, including our instinct to scream when they say, “I just need to finish this report.”
- Made a list of all persons we had harmed during peak season, and became willing to make amends to them all.
- Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when doing so would injure them or others — especially during a staffing shortage.
- Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it, even when exhausted from waiting up until 2 a.m. for them to get home.
- Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with our Higher Power as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry it out — even on nights when they’re stuck covering a shift.
- Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to others, and practice these principles in all our affairs — especially with those who also love someone who works weekends.
Our Mission
At Hospiholics Anonymous (Ho-Anon), we are dedicated to supporting the forgotten heroes of the hospitality industry: the partners who have mastered celebrating birthdays on Tuesdays, eating holiday dinners alone, and answering the question, “What time will you be home?” with the only honest response: “We’ll see.”
Through sarcasm, shared trauma, and an unhealthy dependence on takeout, we strive to remind our members that they are not alone. Somewhere, another hotel manager just got called in because someone quit mid-shift.
Our Core Values
Occupancy Before Intimacy
Love Is Flexible. So Are Shift Schedules.
Every Holiday Is Mandatory.
Your PTO Is Their Blackout Date.
We Believe in “Maybe Next Weekend.”
Date Night Is a “When We Can” Arrangement.
Signs Your Partner Works in Hospitality
- You’ve celebrated Valentine’s Day in March.
- You know what RevPAR is but haven’t had a weekend vacation in years.
- Your anniversary was interrupted by a plumbing emergency.
- Your partner has answered work calls from funerals.
- You instinctively ask, “Busy weekend?”
- You consider Tuesday your Saturday.
Membership Perks
Group Therapy
Weekly sessions scheduled for Tuesday at 2 p.m.—because we know you’re free then.
Holiday Support
Special meetings held on December 26th, when the loneliness really sets in.
Free Excuses
Pre-approved explanations for why your partner missed another family event.
Emergency Bingo
“I’m still at the hotel” bingo cards for those long evenings.
Survivor Sticker
Official Ho-Anon sticker to display on your emotional baggage.
24/7 Text Chain
A group chat that’s always active because someone’s partner is always working.
Microwave-Safe Dinners
Complimentary anniversary dinners you can eat alone and reheat as many times as needed.
Solo Candle Practice
Free training in blowing out birthday candles by yourself. No audience required.
Disappointment Training
Advanced courses in pretending not to be disappointed when plans fall through again.
Annual “Maybe Next Weekend” Picnic
Held on a Tuesday. You’ll eat alone. A blanket is provided for one.
Blackout Date Survival Kit
Emergency supplies for surviving another holiday your partner has to work.
Frequent Cryer Program™
Earn points for every tear shed alone. Redeem for a free “I Understand” mug.
Priority Seating... for One
Reserved seating at all partner events. Table for one, as always.
Lifetime Achievement Award
For saying “I understand” one too many times. You’ve earned this.
Member Testimonials
Ho-Anon Merch
Wear your trauma proudly. All proceeds support Ho-Anon’s mission of providing humor, solidarity, and emergency snacks for partners eating alone on holidays.
Coming soon — a real store with real merch. Until then, imagine the possibilities.
Motivational Posters
Corporate-inspired motivation for the hospitality-adjacent.
“Work-Life Balance”
Coming soon.
“Peak Season”
Your relationship’s natural predator.
“Guest Satisfaction”
Because someone has to be happy.
“Occupancy 100%”
Marriage: under renovation.
“Revenue Never Sleeps.”
Neither do hospitality workers… or their partners waiting up.
Official Mottos
Donation Levels
Show your support. Rank your suffering.
Late Checkout
You’ve been stood up for one date. You’re new here. We’ll get through this together.
Double Shift
You haven’t seen your partner awake in three days. Welcome to the club.
Presidential Suite
You once had to introduce yourself to your partner’s coworkers because they’d forgotten you existed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Join Ho-Anon Today
Membership is free. Therapy is not included (but heavily implied).
Application Submitted!
Welcome to Ho-Anon. Your welcome packet will arrive whenever your partner gets a day off—so don’t hold your breath. A support group link has been “sent” to your email (we’ll send it when occupancy drops below 40%).