GREAT EXPECTATIONS PART 1

Everyday in my workweeks, I would get myself a cuppa at the cafe, half hour before lunch. It has become a routine for me - daydreaming at a corner all by myself while sipping the rich coffee. After that it would be toilet business and off to lunch. I didn't know my habit has become part of someone else's routine as well. The owner and assistants at the cafe are so used to my presence that they will prepare the coffee upon my arrival, without any order prompted to me. Their service is rated top quality in my opinion because they even remember how many servings of condensed milk I need!
This isn't my first encounter, there are many others.. like the wanton mee stall owner. He knows what I would order everytime I go near the stall. "The usual? With more chili and gravy, yes?" Even though my visits are counted only during weekends. How about the grocer? Everytime she sees me, my usual stock will be in her hands and without a word, the price will be keyed into the cash register. Everything becomes automatic because of my routine, my habit.
I'm sure some of you experienced it too. Don't that make you feel special? People we barely know make effort to beautify our days. And the best part is that a bond has formed between us, giving us ample grace and respect towards each other. Yes, perhaps monetary terms do play a part. But they won't lose much if I dun buy from them, afterall it's only an eighty cents coffee, two dollars noodles and etc. Well then, I reckon its the little expectations that come from each party that signifies the relationship. Simple and direct. No strings attached. However, if you reflect upon those people whom you care and love, when both have status-wised expectations and strings attached to their hearts, its a completely different story.
More often than not, we step in a little too close towards the people we love. We enforce some hidden or tangible rules and expectations onto each other and sometimes we even start to take each other for granted, conscious or sub-consciously. Quarrels and arguments erupt. No one compromises. We forgot the simple respect and basic expectations. How come we can be so different in front of strangers and to the ones we cherish dearly?
So much care and concern towards them but when negativity strikes, we are the ones that hurt them most. Yet we behold our manners and respect in front of other people we are not even close to.
Isn't it ironic?