I'm talking in general, not just tattoo shops. And even there, they are no less of a stranger than anyone else offering services. I spent more time with my doctor and I definitely wouldn't call them anything else than a random stranger.
If you feel lonely and want to make friends, knock yourself out. Might as well just give them money and call it a tip if it makes you feel any better. But most people want to go around their business, not be bothered by some para-social freaks bothering them in public spaces or losing their shit if they don't get free money.
Why are a minority of ill-adjusted individuals just not content by themselves like the majority population? We shall never know either, because they like to pretend that internet behavior in meatspace is normal.
Yapping to random strangers is not treating service workers as human beings. They are at their jobs, as professionals, external to their personal lives. I come, greet, say what I need, pay, thank them and leave. That's treating a service worker as a dignified human being doing their job of serving goods and services.
No tips, no side eyes, no haggling. If either party were there to interact beyond that exchange, both would know.
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u/tpolakov1 7h ago
If I'm paying you, you can be pretty sure that I'm around to carry out my business, not make friends.