Talking To Myself

In contrast to a PhD in listening, I quite often find people that sit on the opposite end of the chatty spectrum. Imagine the following, if you will:

*Customer walks up to the counter*

Me: "Hi there, how are you today?"
Customer: "GIVE ME A...." (barks the customer)

or

Me: "Good morning, how are you --- " (interrupted mid sentence)
Customer: "Make me three ...." (demands the customer)

Or my favourite,

Me: "Good afternoon ladies, how are you today?"
Customer: *Looks at me with a blank stare as if in my asking how they are doing today I was actually trying to sell them crack-cocaine or kidnap their first born child*

Why do people do this? I get being in a rush, trust me. Work to school to homework back to work is my usual schedule. So trust me, I get it. But what is so important in your rush or what has been so bad in your day that you cannot offer a simple, polite, common-courtesy response to the girl that is about to make your coffee. The one that controls whether you walk away with caffeinated or decaf, may I add (just kidding, I never 'decaf' a customer).

But seriously, learn some manners. Especially entertaining is when middle-aged or seniors act in the previously outlined regard because you know if their children ever did such a thing they would get smacked up side the head (or maybe not).

But say it with me people:

"Good, thanks."
"Not bad, you?"
"I'm Good."

It truly is that simple. I'm not looking for your life story. I'm not even looking for honesty if thats not the dish your serving. But I am asking to be treated like a human being not like the soul-less, emotionless robot thats sole purpose in life is to serve coffee, as some of you seem to think I am.

So, again I ask,

How are YOU today?