Smile

Try this, even if just as a social experiment. Smile, often, if not all day. Proven fact, people will treat you nicer if you give them a smile and speak politely.

Case 1: I take the subway every morning to work at the same time. So I usually see the same two conductors in the middle part of the subway where I get on. As they always poke their head out, I always smile and say "good morning". No one else around me does. And there's conductors that give you a cold shoulder anyway. But point being, the two conductors I see in the mornings have learned to recognize me. One wishes me a "good morning, hun" happily. And there have been occasions where I'm running late, and arrive at the turnstyle as the subways doors have closed. The train should depart. But the conductor will see me and gladly open the doors up for me again with a joke, "almost left without you!".

Case 2: I go to the same Deli in the mornings before work for a chocolate croissant. It's become routine. I walk in, and they know I'll be getting myself a chocolate croissant. One day, one of the guys asked me if I'd like the croissant heated up, because the melted choclate makes it so much better. And indeed it was much better! I thanked him the next day for it, and since then, I walk into the deli and I get asked, "toasted?" as they pull the croissant out of the display. If there's a line and I'm in a rush, they happily bag my croissant and hand it to me as I leave $2 on the counter (the croissant's $1.75). No hassel, we're all happy. And why? because I smile and politely greet and thank them.

Case 3: Go to Aldo to shoe shop. A sales guy comes up to me immediately and asks if I need help. I tell him cheerfully, "uhm, no, I'm just looking around for now. I'll let you know if I need a size". He walks away. I browse the store to find two pairs of heels I want to try on. Instead of finding the nearest sales associate, I spot the same guy who had greeted me to let him know which shoes I was interested in. Include the "please," "thank you's" and some eye contact and they will gladly service you. They don't have the size in the shoes I'm interested in, but the associate will go out of their way to find similar shoes in my size instead. They will go that extra mile if you're nice. Another case and point, I've gotten sales associates to open up a register for me, then proceed to give me extra discounts (yes, I've gotten employee discounts). Starting up small conversations helps too. Comment on their cute shoes or necklace. If you take your time out to notice someone else, they will, maybe even subconsciously, treat you better.

Lesson of the story? I really feel that a lot of people are forgetting their manners today. And not to say everyone is rude, because that's not the case. People are very much distant from one another and choose to be very "to themselves" and minding their own business. A simple hello and have a good day makes a difference to the person serving you or even someone you're sharing an elevator with.