Hi Brian

Instead of the stock phrases ( social niceties) what would you use as an “icebreaker”?

I remember going to a store ( I was on holiday in the USA) and my purchases were all medicinal I had a chest infection my husband heat issues and my children chicken pox and to be told “have a nice day” was incongruous!

Smiling and eye contact and an easy open body stance send the right signals to the other person along with a compliment or observation that shows that you have actually seen them as an individual.

We can have many pleasant interacts throughout the day and just enjoy that fleeting moment of connection