Have you ever been so embarrassed about who you work for that you felt the need to explain yourself, even (and perhaps especially) to a complete stranger?

For example, pity the poor sales rep I met recently who is burdened with the implied ignominy of being employed by Trump Hotels, even if, as it was explained to me at great length upon meeting, that the controversial US president was no longer connected to the property in any way.

“I never met him,” the rep later added to a small trade audience by way of a seemingly necessary disclaimer.

To be clear, the rep neither endorsed nor condemned the man whose logo was on their business card. And there was no embarrassment, only pride and enthusiasm over the property, as might be expected.

Nevertheless, one can imagine that almost every sales pitch, every meeting, every business card handed out, would be accompanied by such an explanation – especially beyond the borders of the U.S.

Notwithstanding coronavirus, the rep’s discussions ought to be about rooms, rates and restaurants, but instead they swirl around the ramifications of this particular branding – pro or con. One trade person told me, for example, that they will only sneak into a Trump hotel (and only because they can score free rooms) at night for fear of being seen.

This isn’t to judge the sales rep – a job is a job – rather to lament a situation, a world, a travel industry that has come to this: slinking, explaining, justifying.

No one’s job is easy – especially when it involves Donald Trump. And, sometimes it seems, even when it doesn’t.