I'm off to Sydney tomorrow, a place where I often find the service in convenience stores somewhat different than I am used to. In New Zealand, It is fair to say I think that whether the service is otherwise good or bad, the person serving you is friendly and willing to participate in a bit of friendly banter about the weather, sport or whatever is in the news.
In Sydney I find they like to grab your money and give you a one word "thanks" as they peer at the next customer. When I first went to Sydney this took me by surprise, almost seemed rude by New Zealand standards, but over time I have got used to it as I'm sure anyone who lives in Sydney is. I like the New Zealand approach more, and I find it isn't an Australian thing as they seem perfectly polite in Melbourne.
So it must be some kind of cultural expectation, the same customer given that service in New Zealand would probably shop elsewhere, but in Sydney you wouldn't consider friendliness part of the service. And if you're shopping for an item like a razor you forgot and the transaction is going to take twenty second it shouldn't matter should it? Seems the answer is depends on the customer, depends what the competitors do and depends on other factors like how you respond to complaints. But I still can't help feeling a friendly convenience store owner in Sydney would find a market not covered particularly well at the moment.
