In almost any department you can ask if they do party trays/catering and what the lead times are. How much for x number of guest, etc. For floral ask about longest lasting blooms, lead time for arrangements, what works best for centerpieces. I always ask for an unusual item in grocery, polenta in roll, aborrio rice, isreali couscous, mirin are all good examples. In produce I ask how to tell a juicy lime. I also ask if they know how to slice a mango. Ask meat or seafood how much they suggest for a party and an economical choice. Ask ingredients in salads in the deli. Ask dairy about what makes Greek yogurt different, is there such a thing as vegan milk and cheese. There is a whole thread about pharmacy and customer service. One of my favorite pharmacy questions is about bandages or bandage covers that are waterproof for after surgery.
~~*~~*~~*~~ kal ~~*~~*~~*~~
Everyone has a photographic memory. Some just forget to load the film.