Why didn't you just say something like "I'm in a hurry today, so let's skip the chit-chat."? I think the manager was probably trying to be friendly and engaging, to make you feel like a valued customer.

I do understand your irritation, and I feel the same when people don't stay on task. I just have no trouble asking them to focus.

Another customer might have been pleased that the banker was attempting to provide personal attention. Could be in the job description.

I do get tired of the false cheerfulness of grocery cashiers and baggers. It's so obvious that they are told to 'be friendly'. (Marketing surveys prove that customers often choose stores because they like friendly personnel, so I know WHY it happens. I just get tired of it.)

When they do that to me, I JOIN IN the conversation, as if I know them intimately, even though I don't know them at all! LOL It doesn't take them long to quit talking, get our business over and me outta there!

I manage the office for a chiropractor. I sure hope my patients don't feel that way. We rattle on about all kinds of stuff. Some of them I think come in to talk to me more than get their adjustments! I guess you need to tell the person that you're not there to chit chat. She was probably just being friendly. Doesn't sound like it was fake or anything...just nice! :)

Seems to me they were just trying to be friendly. Banking is competitive and traditionally personalization worked for banks.

If you didn't like it then all you had to do was not engage in the chit chat and stick to business. It takes 2 to converse and set the tone. If one doesn't comply then it doesn't happen.

I am a city girl. I agree with xminion and honestly don't give out info about myself to these people beyond what is necessary.

They may be friendly but I don't believe they were trained to be intrusive because it is not safe to do that.

Asking what your spouse does for a living? Hmn, they may target you for loans from them. Or they may want to rob you.
Do you have children? Person could be a pervert.
Too personal and not professional. In fact I will go with mary_c and "cheerfully" move them along.
I may get some flack for my comments but I believe we have to be careful. And, you can develop a friendship after a period of time.

I'm afraid I can see both sides of this one.

Yes, that must have been annoying, if you were in a hurry.

On the other hand? The person was obviously being friendly.

With having the 2 houses for the past 3 years, I've noticed that in the suburbs (where we've lived for over 60 years) the pace of life is hurried, you don't ever speak to strangers, the kind of conversation you related would be considered unnecessary or rude. However, at the country house--which is ONLY 30 miles away, that sort of conversation is the norm. You can go to the grocery store and have 3 or 4 conversations like that with perfect strangers. And they're not being rude--they're being friendly and interested. I really find it a nice change, personally.

But my point is, I guess, that the 'rules' of social engagement can be very different in different areas. This bank employee may be from a different background--she probably wasn't being nosy or trying to be obnoxious.

I wouldn't say they were just being "friendly", they were using the script for making chit-chat to help close a sale. Family, recreation, occupation, hobbies, pets, education, "live here long?" etc., are common topics used to make conversation with unknown people to break the ice and make them relax. Many sales courses/training seminars use variations of these. If you get someone to share info, you'll have other "ammunition" to overcome objections and close the sale. Also when people are more comfortable they'll much more easily part with money.

I think there are times we like to chit-chat with service workers and other times we just want to get the business done and get on with our lives.

Some service workers are skilled in gauging whether a customer wants the chit-chat, others not so much (and vice versa).

Your demeanor and body language should send out a signal of your intentions. If you're not in the mood for chit-chat, put on your "I'm all business" face.

In this economy, I'm sure salespeople are getting extra training to make you a repeat customer, as cynic says.

(There are times at the grocery store where I'm annoyed that the checkout clerk doesn't say "Thank you" -- other times, I just want to get out of there and get to my next errand and don't care about whether there's a "Thank you" or not. There's always a "Thank you" from me, whether for the clerk or the bagger. People's moods just change...)

But I can see how asking too many questions could come across as nosiness. I like a little chit-chat, but I don't like unnecessary prying.

And maybe the banking representative doesn't have anybody to talk to at home, and the co-workers are tired of talking with her!

That "friendliness" doesn't bother me because I know they are required to act that way and rarely am I in a hurry to
where I would be annoyed. However, turn the conversation to them if you can, "how is your day?", "what hobbies do you have?", etc..Sometimes they will go on about themselves because no one ever asks them anything personal, other times
they realize they don't like to be asked questions and will back off (I don't mean being rude to them, just curious)

Banking has changed so much in the recent years. When I was working we had customer service, and opening an account was so easy--3x5 card etc.
Now it is forms on the computer, privacy laws, rules, etc and the head or main office demands more from their employes. They are expected to sell all sorts of accounts, saving. different type of checking accounts, insurance, long and short term accounts etc. And they get their tiny raises based on the accounts sold. When your information pops up on their screen, it includes everything you have given them. Before, the only thing the teller knew is what you actually physically either showed or told them. Now they have information about every account you have with them. As a retired bank person, I have a tendency to say NO before they ask. or if they refuse to accept the transaction, I just ask for the manager, which most banks no longer have. Also when bankers ask you ""friendly"" questions they are learning more about you so they can "encourage" you to borrow more money, get a credit card, or open more accounts.