I have realized that the best way to break into the robotic senseless American greetings and that of customer service specially is to shake up their routine. Give'em something they don't expect. Usually it's like "Hi, how are you ? Fine thanks. Have a good day" but we just have to shake it up a bit, if anything, to make them slightly uncomfortable.

It happened to me the other day. I found myself in front of the counter at a local pharmacy in Phoenix after having bought a box of plastic garbage bags. She, with a tone as if she'd just seen the exorcist, asked: "So how's your day going ?"

- Ah, not good actually. I was going to the movies but now I have to hide the bodies. (Pushes the garbage bags forward)

Her look ? Priceless.