Customer service...small talk and smile important?

I think due to the recent economic decline, business are going to have to work a little harder to keep my business and courteous customer service is the best way. It only takes a little bit of extra effort. I know that when I go somewhere I'm not only getting a product or service but I want an "experience". It doesn't have to be a ticker-tape parade, but small efforts make huge impact. (i.e. small talk, genuinely smiling and asking how my day is, individual efforts)

It all depends

Restaurants - I now expect my servers to ask me how I'm doing and to have a unique touch to the dining experience. If I order a beer, I want shouldn't have to ask what the special is or what the most popular one is. Also, I've seen servers just bring the cheque to hustle us out the door when I was ready to have another pint or desert or both. Rarely to I return to that establishment when I just feel like a piece of rustled cattle. It shows that they don't really have any vested interest in the business and I'll tip fairly low on this.

What irks me is that most waitresses that work in a brew pub know nothing about beer and say "Oh, I like, don't drink beer." I'm thinking "Then why the hell do you work here?". The best waitress said to me "I don't drink this but Brand X is very popular." and then she went on and described some of the feedback. To me that's taking the extra effort.

Retail - I used to work in retail and it's pretty thankless. The best sales people are the ones that will ask me how I'm doing, will allow me to browse, but will point a sale out to me. I appreciate it when they check back if I'm trying on something and communicate. Ex: Asking if it's ok to check on a customer that walked in the door and they'll be right back and they DO it. That's tops in my book.

Cafes - I like a little small talk @ cafes w/ the baristas. The great Starbucks do this in spades and I feel really unique when I go there. Tim Hortons just wants to process your @$$ out the door and sling java at you.

Supermarkets - If a checkout girl is ringing in my groceries, I actually really enjoy a bit of chit chat. The exception is that if she's a trainee and I completely understand that she needs to focus. This makes a big deal in the shopping experience.

A final point, I don't expect chit chat if the line ups are HUGE and / or it's really busy. That tends to lean on the selfish and it will annoy other patrons. But if it's not busy, small talk will go a long way with me.

I can only answer from my point of view, that of a small business owner. I treat my customers how I would like to be treated. Without my customers repeat business or referrals, I'd quickly have no business.

Most people will not continue to do with business with places if they do not feel comfortable with the people that work there. Yeah, it's really important.

sarah your clients have an interest in the spot(s), to establish a personal relationship, you need to have a starting point of interests.... sport being the common 'interest'. If I were to go to a shop, I would prefer talking sport than babies or the prices at the market! Secondly, it gives you credibility to your clients so that whatever you say, on any subject, may matter.... they will listen. Soccerref .... errr .... Football Ref to you!