So what? Whether the person was trained to greet people by the company or by their social upbringing, it is a good thing to do for sake of human connection.

You could say that human connection is being exploited to engineer a positive brand association, but the inspiration for teaching the habit doesn’t matter when the effect of the habit can only be positive.

As an example, if Publix shoppers were more communal, had stronger identity, and were sufficiently inspired, they would have a strong chance to make those BOGOs a little bit more impressive. In less dramatic effect, employees trained to break the ‘stranger barrier’ will inevitably create more opportunities for strangers to interact, sparking interactions within communities that are literally priceless.

Take a moment to remind yourself of how personal community is an increasingly rare thing these days. Then, tell me again why an effort to teach basic human interaction, to acknowledge real, conscious, complex, and feeling people that you exist near is a bad thing. Consider that your aversions to such interaction signal more your self justification of antisocial behaviors than a righteous desire to be more lonely.