I don't mind people talking to me in shops, as long as they don't do it Americanly or in a false, hairdresserly manner, and can take a hint if I can't think of anything to say back.
Most of the people in my usual shops talk to me, and in fact I had a nice chat in the Co-op this evening about the evils of the card-scanning device, the co-op checkout lady's dog, my dog, and Christmas hats.
Our postoffice, which is THE BEST in the whole world, is very chatty.
Thinking on this, I would say it is polite and pleasant to chat in an English shop as long as you do so on topics that are not personal (so not hair, not holidays, you may discuss the items being purchased as long as they are generic. Under no circumstances discuss any sanitary product).
Ideally, the conversation will be initiated by the customer. I would say this was an extension of the whole 'customer-led' concept.
no subject
Most of the people in my usual shops talk to me, and in fact I had a nice chat in the Co-op this evening about the evils of the card-scanning device, the co-op checkout lady's dog, my dog, and Christmas hats.
Our postoffice, which is THE BEST in the whole world, is very chatty.
Thinking on this, I would say it is polite and pleasant to chat in an English shop as long as you do so on topics that are not personal (so not hair, not holidays, you may discuss the items being purchased as long as they are generic. Under no circumstances discuss any sanitary product).
Ideally, the conversation will be initiated by the customer. I would say this was an extension of the whole 'customer-led' concept.