Just gimme my book.

What is going on with service workers lately? Is there some kind of touchy-feely mandate going out from management? Get to know your customers?

Last month, I was in a bookstore buying the book "P.S. I Love You," and the woman checking me out shared, "Oh, I loved this book because I'm a widow, too." Wow -- thanks. Awkward. What am I supposed to say to that? "Oh, I'm sorry. How did he die?" I wouldn't, though, because that would be prying into a STRANGER'S life.

Today I was buying a new cell phone and the guy helping me out noticed the photo of my dog on my wallpaper. "My dog has diarrhea." WHAT??? Those words actually came out of his mouth. Two points for hotshot sales guy -- that's disgusting and I don't care. Is that really the image a salesperson should be putting in a customer's head to make the sale?

In summary, be nice, be friendly, but don't overshare. Make the sale and let me get back to my life!