Letter to the Editor:

Why am I always the one who complains?This is a phrase I hear so often when discussing things among friends. I say that to say this: where are all the smiles and kindly gestures of long ago? When have we gotten away from these?I notice the lack of the above at our local restaurants and eateries in the area. Perhaps I should exclude the nationwide chains because they are programmed to give the customer an artificial smile.I'm talking about the 'Hey, good to see you;' 'How are you?,' 'You look great today!'One place in particular is a local restaurant. Many people tell me the waitresses and the counter people are very curt and unfriendly toward the customers.I had to prove it myself so I stopped in for a cone of ice cream. I joked with the counter person, but got no response, except for "Is this for here or to go?" I was three feet away from a guy who was too busy to look up and utter 'Hello," only to learn he was (get this) the manager/owner.The same goes for another local restaurant.Are these people bored or underpaid or what? I don't care if a customer only buys one small purchase; a satisfied customer will tell another person who tells another, and the beat goes on!Come on owners, wise up or close up!Sincerely,Richard M. GrossLehighton