During the Covid pandemic I became EXTRA nice to all of the people working. I usually would be quiet and just do my business with the normal “please and thank yous”.
I have noticed that now it seems the workers are on the defense and in a sour mood even more, so I’m even more nice now. Usually they respond better, but sometimes not. And if not I say to myself “Well, that’s why they are working a minimum wage job.” and leave it at that.
Thank you for confirming what others are seeing. Your plan to be extra nice to people is a good one. I’m typically a very cheerful person and used to work with an unhappy woman who’d occasionally ask me “What are you so cheerful about?” Hopefully, the more deranged among us won’t find my good moods as irritating as she did.