I cannot get used to the overfriendlyness of American sales persons. "How are you this afternoon" they ask, and I always answer at great length which is not what you are supposed to, I guess. That's what I am lead to believe anyway, 'cause they all seem pretty indifferent when I start telling them about how I feel on this particular afternoon. They get the "that's a little more information than I need, thank you" look on their face, but... they asked for it, didn't they?