I have sat through entire haircuts without saying a word. Also, why on earth did you go inside the bank? Are you 80? You seem terrible at avoiding small talk situations.
i'm 26, and no, i'm not terrible at avoiding small talk situations. but at banks, there's not much i can do. i won't be rude by using a cell phone (the sign says "please refrain from using your cell phone during all transactions"), so my best option is pretty much not at my disposal. and at banks, there's not much to pretend to look at (i usually study the business loan posters and act interested while hoping the teller doesn't ask me if i'm interested).
my best trick for avoiding small talk is to put headphones in my ears. i almost always keep an extra set of headphones in the car. i put them in my ears when in public (malls, store, etc.) and tuck the cord into my pocket and pretend like i'm listening to music.
on days when my ipod is sufficiently charged, i listen to music.
but those days are rare.
