Missing the culture

we arrived home safely last night and I am already missing the culture. When we stopped in Canada on our way home I two negative cashiers/clerks while checking out at stores/Resturaunts. It wasn't until this morning that I thought to myself I hadn't had any clerks/cashiers overseas that would portrayed a bad attitude. This may be just my opinion/feeling but I must say that everyone who helped me were kind and polite. I found that while in Italy, by attempting to greet them in their native language ("bonjorno") and ask them how they are ("come stei") they were much more willing to be of help! I felt that by respecting their culture and city while in their country really helped to establish a sense of honor to them.