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It's most definitely US and Canada centric. I've lived and worked in many places around the world, and in no other place would you get the "friend" treatment wh

It's most definitely US and Canada centric. I've lived and worked in many places around the world, and in no other place would you get the "friend" treatment when you go to a store or restaurant. It just creeps people out because it's obviously fake, and I've always wondered why it doesn't creep out North Americans. I grew up in Canada, and it's always creeped me out when salesmen or waiters come up to me and start talking to me like they're a close friend or something. But everyone else seemed fine with it. It's particularly infuriating when the waiter comes up and does the "and how is everything today? Good? Steak nicely done?" routine while I'm trying to enjoy my meal or talk with someone.

PaulDavisThe1st 6y ago
I emigrated to the USA when I was 24 and have lived here for nearly 32 years. My step-father used to hate the "fake" "have a nice day" stuff in the US, but on his second visit, he realized that he was starting to like it. He knew it was "fake", but he knew that the person saying it knew too, and he came to understand that it was just a way to provide a more pleasant atmosphere. By giving into it just a little bit, a positive feedback loop starts to run, and everybody wins. ps. my kids think that i'm grumpy, bad tempered and pessimistic :) they're right about one of them.
balfirevic 6y ago
Waiter checking up on you to see if you're satisfied with the food a minute or two after it's been served is not exclusive to US or Canada.
- kstenerud 6y ago
  They just do it unobtrusively in other places.
klyrs 6y ago
> It's particularly infuriating when the waiter comes up and does the "and how is everything today? Good? Steak nicely done?" routine while I'm trying to enjoy my meal or talk with someone. As a surly grouch, I'd say that it's worth the annoyance for the cases when they get your order wrong. It's the compliments for finishing my food that I can't stand

PaulDavisThe1st 6y ago

I emigrated to the USA when I was 24 and have lived here for nearly 32 years. My step-father used to hate the "fake" "have a nice day" stuff in the US, but on his second visit, he realized that he was starting to like it. He knew it was "fake", but he knew that the person saying it knew too, and he came to understand that it was just a way to provide a more pleasant atmosphere. By giving into it just a little bit, a positive feedback loop starts to run, and everybody wins. ps. my kids think that i'm grumpy, bad tempered and pessimistic :) they're right about one of them.

balfirevic 6y ago

Waiter checking up on you to see if you're satisfied with the food a minute or two after it's been served is not exclusive to US or Canada.

kstenerud 6y ago
They just do it unobtrusively in other places.

klyrs 6y ago

> It's particularly infuriating when the waiter comes up and does the "and how is everything today? Good? Steak nicely done?" routine while I'm trying to enjoy my meal or talk with someone. As a surly grouch, I'd say that it's worth the annoyance for the cases when they get your order wrong. It's the compliments for finishing my food that I can't stand