The first time my dental hygienist asked a small talk question referencing something I said last visit, I was impressed by their memory/vaguely flattered . The second time it happened I was pretty sure they're just writing notes about what to say in my record. Especially when the new hygienist did the same trick :)

I hate it when a dental hygienist small talks. I'm there to get my teeth done not to talk. If I talk, they can't do their job. Personally I have no need for small talk. So I'm just doing it to please them.

Now, the waiter at our office lunch restaurant that we went to like every 2 or 3 weeks knowing exactly what each of us would order and even the ones that alternated between 2 or 3 dishes he'd ask "oh is it the butter chicken or the chicken tikka today?" makes sense and is impressive and appreciated. He didn't do any non essential small talk instead of doing his job either.

On the other hand you have restaurants where you're a table for two and the guy doesn't remember who had which dish when serving in a basically empty restaurant.

I thought that too about my hair stylist... until I randomly met them at a restaurant and they mentioned very specific details about my life.

I worked in the pizza business before there are some regular customers that you pretty much would call friends. similar to work friends.

Any pub landlord will have regulars

Americans are weird. I’ve been going to the same barber for years. He doesn’t know my name, barely says a word and it’s just so comforting.

You may not realize just how lonely a lot of us are.

Which is exactly why you pay them, right?

It’s weird to be friendly?