Head for the middle! Where is it?

I went to a big box hardware store the other day. I needed something in the back corner. As I traveled through the store, I was greeted personally by no less than seven employees, one of which interrupted his sales pitch to a pair of customers. Had I been one of the customers, I would have thought it rude. Being greeted once is pleasant. I enjoy going into Wal-Mart and being welcomed by the greeter and asked if I need help. No one else in the store deems it necessary to run up to me to say hello. Yet Wal-Mart is successful.

When does a corporate desire to be friendly with customers turn from pleasant into assault or stalking? Is it three times or more? It reminded me in reverse of airline flight crews wishing everyone, “Bye. Bye-bye. Bye,” with a bored, endlessly mechanical tone of voice, but with a smile. Doesn’t it just make you want to buy another ticket?

It would be nice if service industries could strike a happy medium. In high school math we learned about distributions and how most events cluster in the middle. Is this still true? Of late politicians seem more and more polarized occupying the extremes. I hope (for many reasons) that they do not represent us by reflecting polarization. Company executives apparently came to the conclusion that instead of one or two employees, perhaps those with whom you interact, everyone should rush up to greet you. If one is good, seven must be better. Can we, please, get back to the middle. If we are closer together we would not have to shout.