All of your coworkers have greeted me already...

[Evil Queen]

You mean something similar to the current strip? ("I don't like you're polite tone, I consider it rude!")

[bainsidhe]

Yeah, that's it!

[Gurndigarn]

Am I the only one who sees the irony of getting disgusted with totally friendly and courtious service?

Well, I've seen the irony of corporate suits thinking that stalking/harassing customers makes them feel happier about the place. Saying "Hello" or "How's it going?" if fine and frienly. "Is there anything I can help you with today?" is dumb, unless I have a lost look on my face. If I need help, I have the brains to look for the uniforms. Really. Being asked the question four times in three minutes is harrassing. Do I really look that lost?

[froglet]

In Ontario, there is a lovely Chinese Buffet restaurant chain called Mandarin. Every single employee, when they see you enter says "Hi! Welcome to Mandarin!" Its rather cute in the accents, but it can also get kinda annoying when you eat there more than once or twice.

[Primer]

Sounds like Texas and Kmart commercials.
Okay... so, off I go to the internets, and find their store locator (irony?) and do a search for stores within 50 miles. And come up with none. Yet we get KMart ads all the time on TV.

I'll bet the closest one is in Killeen...about 200 miles from you (150 from me).

As for the CiCi greetings...just be glad you're not the one working there and having to do that every time someone walks in. I'm sure the employees feel the same way about it that you do.

[rerant]

In Ontario, there is a lovely Chinese Buffet restaurant chain called Mandarin. Every single employee, when they see you enter says "Hi! Welcome to Mandarin!" Its rather cute in the accents, but it can also get kinda annoying when you eat there more than once or twice.

Nooo way. I love when they all say, "Welcome to Mandarin," to me.
Maybe it's just me, but I kinda take that as part of the fun of going there, so I embrace it and find amusement in it.

I would never consider refunding my dinner because employees were all greeting me, though. Sure it might weird me out a bit if I wasn't expecting it, but asking for a refund wouldn't even occur to me. But then again, I don't see how it could be at all upsetting.

[greensinestro]

So, let me get this straight. You're complaining about Cici's having employees who actually care enough to check up on you and make sure everything is all right? I've had my share of bad experiences in restaurants, and my biggest pet peeve is when your server not once checks up on you to be sure you're fine, if you need any more iced tea, whatever.

I don't know. I think this was good customer service, and definitely not an issue worth demanding a refund for either.

[marasbaras]

I don't know, greensinestro, there comes a point where one just wants to go about their shopping or eating and be left alone.

[Gurndigarn]

The important thing is balance. If I'm shopping and just looking around, asking if I'm need help is nice. If I'm heading purposefully down the aisle, it's a nuisance. If I'm eating, having the server passing by every few minutes and looking is nice. Asking me how everything tastes each time isn't.