Service for smiles

Given an equal choice, will a store clerk first serve a smiling or a frowning customer?

Science provides the answer. Clerks go toward the smiler.

Maybe this is why it's so hard to ever get help in Home Depot. I need to be grinning more.

Elmira Star Gazette - Dec 11, 1972

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Alex Boese Alex is the creator and curator of the Museum of Hoaxes. He's also the author of various weird, non-fiction, science-themed books such as Elephants on Acid and Psychedelic Apes. Paul Di Filippo Paul has been paid to put weird ideas into fictional form for over forty years, in his career as a noted science fiction writer. Contact Us

Posted By: Alex - Thu Nov 30, 2017
Category: Science | Psychology | Shopping

Comments

A friend who is very handy is convinced he could do well by selling information in Home Depot. He would help other customers and charge them for the advice.

Posted by Virtual on 11/30/17 at 11:35 AM

It would only work marginally for me. I've been told (by a number of people over the course of many years) my smile looks like an evil grin. A clerk might flee the store if they see me smiling at the chainsaws or axes, but their curiosity might get the better of them and they'd come over to see why I'm fingering sheets of foam insulation.

Posted by Phideaux on 11/30/17 at 01:45 PM

Funny how in most animals bared teeth is seen as a sign of challenge but humans take it as a sign of greeting or friendliness.

Posted by KDP on 11/30/17 at 02:28 PM

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