The return of customer service?

I've been noticing a shift more and more as as I've been running errands, shopping, etc. I usually return home irritated or at least with little to no enthusiasms after a trip to the mall, the grocery store or even ordering food. Even though I felt I was pretty used to being on the receiving end of the blank stares, rude attitudes and rehearsed replies "thanks, come again" with absolutely no eye contact or smile by a zombie like, angry server/attendant/drive through worker/snotty sales girl. We've all had miserable jobs before, especially in the early years but do you have to take it out on me? But lately, I've been getting, you are not going to believe this - smiled at! At a recent trip to the mall, a sales girl actually looked at me - SMILED and said hello! I almost staggered backward. Is this a new sting? Are they afraid I'm going to shoplift? But then, looking for shoes, the same thing happened! Shocked, I smiled back and when the woman asked if she could help, I let her and walked out with 2 pair. And the last two times I've ordered take out, the person on the phone and the driver have actually been pleasant!

Then I thought about it, is this another side effect of the economy? They actually need me to buy things now. Me, the consumer (although not as much these days like everyone else.) Could this mark at least the beginning of the return of customer service? If so, I'm all for it. Maybe it's the way I was raised and how old fashioned my parents were but I've always hated the drone-like, "I don't care" attitude so common now from anyone in any kind of customer facing job. It's the little things that can make such a difference. A smile or kind greeting, saying Thank You and actually meaning it. I try to remember those things every day now and even though the economy and all the problems we face in the world right now are crippling, maybe this is a small yet appreciated silver lining.

For your viewing pleasure, a sexy tattoo pinup!