That made me smile. I always felt people in Paris are so unfriendly while in New-York I felt almost aggressed by too much friendliness: Never had so many people asking how my day was going…
Did they really care about your day though? I feel that in France this type of conversation is rare but much more genuine and not a part of a “service”.
I can't comment for anyone else other than me of course, but as a person in NY and who has worked in a customer service job, I do care. I wouldn't ask if I didn't.