When family/friends asks you how you are doing but don’t listen to the answer that really sucks. Or they hear what they expect and make a comment that clearly means they weren’t listening. Personally I found that too much of small talk is someone saying or asking something with no intention of listening. Maybe they think they are being polite or some social obligations to talk but I hate it. If I ask “How you doing?” “How’s work?” I’m going to listen to your answer. If I make a comment about the weather and you comment back I will listen.

I was taught as a child to open plain envelopes first. Checks, credit cards, and other important stuff are put in boring envelopes.

I worked for a CC company and when we mailed checks to customers we told them “This check will come in a plain white envelope.” And the amount of people who thank me for letting them know because they might have thrown it away.