Smile but carry a big stick…
I’m addressing the title of the OP more than the post itself…I do believe it’s wrong to try and make everyone like you, because it mandates a certain degree of falseness. No matter how nice a person you are, there are going to be people who just don’t like aspects of who you are. I know I drive certain personality types up the wall, and I just try to avoid them. I know I could act differently around them, but when the kind of attitude they like is one I thoroughly disrespect, I would be disrespecting them and myself if I tried to make them like me.
I don’t think it’s wrong, necessarily. I think you should strive to behave in a manner than everyone will like you, but not be put out when someone just doesn’t. It happens. In a group as diverse as a community like this, there are bound to be people who just don’t get along.
I don’t think it’s possible, but I don’t think it’s wrong to try, so long as you don’t compromise yourself otherhow.
If you were to try hard enough, maybe you could be friends with this person. Unfortunately, it’ll probably never happen. Why not just carry on being friendly, and say “it’s her loss.” It’s possible that she really appreciates it, and just can’t show it. It’s possible she’s a bitch, and standing up to her will make her respect you. It’s possible nothing would make a difference.
I say, go on being friendly, and ignore her being rude. Unless it gets bad enough you have to say something snippy, of course.
DOH, hit return too soon. Also, remember she sees 100s of people in the cafeteria. I don’t know about anyone else, but I couldn’t be chipper for that long. Sorry, people: if I scowled at you in that situation it’s nothing personal (though I recognise that I really shouldn’t) it’s just me having exhausted myself for the day.