Well, actually Mablethorpe is moving in that direction already. Have you noticed how many pavement style cafes and bars we now have? OK, it's probably more to do with the smoking ban than anything else but there is another way we could and should emulate the continentals ...

Having just returned from a much needed short holiday to Turkey I was bowled over by the quality and friendliness of service we received everywhere we went. Yes, of course they want the tourists to spend their money .... and we want tourists in Mablethorpe to do the same. I must say I felt much happier to part with my cash when I was greeted in every shop, restaurant, bazaar etc with a friendly smile, extreme politeness and meticulous attention to detail. We were made to feel special and valued.

I popped into an establishment in Mablethorpe on Bank Holiday Monday for a coffee and watched how customers in front of me were being served. No greeting, no eye contact, no smile no warmth ... take money, give order, next please ... (well actually there was no "please").

I made up my mind to be cheerful and positive when it was my turn, greeting the assistant with a friendly "Good Afternoon", an accompanying smile and a compliment along the lines of "I'd love a cup of your excellent Mocha coffee and one of those very tempting Danish pastries, please." The transformation was almost instant. After a brief but perceptible look of astonishment/puzzlement, a smile broke out, my order was taken with gratitude and an increased sense of purpose and pride was clearly evident.

I watched from my seat for a few minutes afterwards and those behind me in the queue seemed to benefit too. There is clearly something to be learned from this ..... give out positive and genuine vibes and you get them back. Give them to customers, visitors, tourists etc and they will reward you with their custom and recommendations. It's infectious.

Yes, let's go continental - Turkish style - in the 21st Century.

As my mother was from Austria, my family used to spend a month a year there on holiday.. The friendliness and courtesy of the people to all visitors was lovely to experience and was so natural and guenuine. As you found yourself, it can be achieved by being friendly to people. However, it should come naturally to people in shops and cafe's as they rely on our custom to earn a living. We had to be friendly to our customers when they came into our Pub and it was not difficult as it resulted in a lovely atmosphere. There are friendly staff in some businesses in Mablethorpe but there are also indifferent ones too!

you two can come in my shop and me and growler can practise on you and if you bring your purse and wallets we can be quite personable.
on a serious note
sometimes after a day of rude customers, it can be quite hard being being all sweetness and light

I can imagine as I have experienced days like that. However, I found that it was a challenge to be especially nice to awkward Customers, as it often took them by surprise and they were unsure how to respond. It used to give me a sort of wicked satisfaction to disarm them!! However, once or twice a sarcastic comment or two was unavoidable.Keep smiling!

Having worked in a family owned shop part time many moons ago it's politeness & curtesy from the shopkeeper/staff which makes customers return time & time again.
If i ever visit a shop & witness rudeness & tend to boycott in the future.
You're correct about learning something from going abroad, but it's all down to the British attitude to not liking being subservient.
Waiters & the like abroad see it as a vocation, not some part time holiday job on the way to a better career.
It costs nothing to say please & thankyou

Welcome to the Forum/
I agree with everything you have said.
Some Brits expect everyone abroad to speak English, serve English food, have English Newspapers and in some cases, drink too much and make fools of themselves. Of course we don't all behave this way!!!!!
We should be polite and friendly but are entitled to expect to be treated the same way in return, at home or abroad. Yes,saying please and thank you should be automatic!