Courteous, Cheerful, and Friendly

Why is it so hard for some people to be courteous?  I understand that everyone isn't in a good mood every day, but even when you're having the worst of days, it is still usually possible to manage the "please" and "thank you" that most of us were taught to use from a young age.

One of the things that I do at work is transferring prescriptions between pharmacies.  This is a process between two pharmacists (or interns) and I would think that at least some professional courtesy would be shown, or maybe even some friendliness.  I have noticed a trend that many chain pharmacists do not show this basic courtesy when calling another pharmacy.  I got a call last night that started with (in an abrupt tone) "This is Costco.  I need a transfer."  I gave the pharmacist on the other end the information he needed as he asked for everything in as few words as possible.  There was not a hint of cheer or anything friendly in his voice, and the call ended with an unenthusiastic "thanks."  (I don't mean to single out one pharmacy, as this happens with many other chains; Costco is just the one I spoke to last night.  I also don't mean to generalize without foundation, but it is a definite trend; the same process is much different between most independents.) Would it have been so hard for him to start the call by saying something like "Hi, this is so-and-so from Costco in Woodinville.  I would like a transfer, please." or ending the call by saying "thank you" sincerely or wishing me to have a good evening?

There is also sometimes a lack of courtesy with customers.  Whether someone comes up to the counter or drives up to the window, I always greet them with a sincere "hello" or "good evening."  About one time out of three, the person just barks their last name, indicating that they have a prescription to pick up.  It doesn't take much more effort to say, cordially, "Hi, I have a prescription to pick up for so-and-so."  There are also those who I have never seen smile, throughout the many years they have been coming in.  I wonder how people, like that, who are never cheerful or friendly can live a happy life.  Or maybe they don't.  Obviously they were never scouts...  I just continue to be courteous, cheerful, and friendly with them, even if they never are in return, and appreciate the majority of people who still remember the basic sincerity of "please" and "thank you."

Sometimes when I deal with someone who just doesn't seem capable of smiling or exchanging basic pleasantries, I think of this poem we learned in preschool:

        How d'ya dootee, how d'ya dootee, how d'ya do today?
        Do you live where you used to live, or have you shifted away?
        I'm sorry you're so disagreeable, I only stopped to say...
        How d'ya dootee, how d'ya dootee, how d'ya do today?