Americans

I was going to write and ramble about what we can learn from Americans...well, we can learn how to be nice! Most of the shops and businesses we have been to have offered more than exceptional service. I really thought I'd get sick of hearing "have a nice day" because we parody it so much in Australia, but you know what? When it's said so genuinely and with such a big smile, you just don't get sick of it. (This includes checkout operators, Mcdonalds...right through). Every person makes you feel as though if you hadn't walked into their store, their day wouldn't have been complete. And that's before they hear the accent and get excited about "you Aussies"
I don't know how to replicate that attitude; if I could bottle it, I'd be a millionaire. Maybe becuase they struggle more to find a job? Maybe because it's just what's expected? I have no idea! Maybe it's becuase they grow up knowing they're part of something bigger.
It frustrates me when I hear library people complaining about the people who use their facilities. Maybe they smell, maybe they're homeless, maybe they're not our kind. I think that's where we can come unstuck. Our business (public libraries) isn't just for the well read, literate and polished few, it's for everyone and everyone who walks in the door has to be special. Believe me, they have way more problems with homeless smelly people in their libraries here, as most businessses must, and there is certainly a level of intolerance (signs saying 'seating time 30 minutes with purchase of food'- 'no restrooms' - etc. proliferate) but as a general rule, the reaction of staff towards their customers is amazing. I have rarely been in a store five minutes without being offered help and not in an intimidating way...more "can you find what you're after?" and then politely left alone, but acknowledged nonetheless.
The only times we haven't had good service has been would you believe in some of the hotels we've stayed at. And these people are in the business of serving tourists...gnnnaaahh but enough about them already.
Maybe it's because I have also just read "You want fries with that" a book about a guy who gives up his career in marketing to do menial work...and what he learned from that about attitudes and so on.. but I don't think that's all of it.
I'm looking for the clue. I know if I asked someone they'd say it's because they really are happy to see me...so I shall don my detective hat and pursue this avenue of thought.