Bad Manners and Brimstone

Quote from: Aleko on February 15, 2020, 11:29:37 am

Please don't! They really don't want to know! And the truth is that they haven't actually asked you to tell them these things.

I get that, truly I do. But I also think that the people who are throwing violinp are probably the ones who ask in a tone that implies they DO expect an answer.
But of course, they really only want one answer, which is not a REAL answer.

And I am increasingly uncomfortable with personalizing every interaction, so the Happy Valentine's Day would be annoying.[/b]
I wouldn't be offended, I'd just be annoyed.

But I think if you work in the customer service field, this is just one of those things you need to actively plan for how to handle.

I think when someone in a non-social situation says, "How are you?" you have no obligation to ask "and how are you?" in return. I'm w/ the idea of saying, "I'm fine; how can I help you today?" And make it all one sentence, with no break for them to interject anything.

And if they say "happy holiday" (whichever it is), say, "And to you--how may I help you?"
Again, no break.

If they get on a rant, take the first gap to say, "Yes, well, how can I help you today?"

I'm really curious by your statement because I know you usually have a good reason behind your comments.

If we are speaking to a person, why wouldn't we want to personalize the interaction? I'm not saying create a fake friendship or ask intrusive questions. But a "Happy New Year" or "Happy Valentines Day" or "Happy Fourth" just seems so generic. Sure, you might run across someone who is going through a hard time and not been in a mood for a happy anything. But you might also be run into someone who appreciates being addressed as a human.

I just hate for the standard interaction to become less personal because 1 in 5 people are jolted if someone offers a pretty standard greeting. If it was the norm in our lives, the amount of people who are jolted by this type of greeting would be reduced.