Did LHR-JTR on Sunday on an RFS and agree with the soullessness of it all - After the first service I used to pop down the back for a chat with the CC and pick up a second G&T. Now the combination of additional time taken to get to the back (took at least 20 mins to get to me in 12C even with 7 rows of CE) and the role of the CC as salespeople rather than attendants impacts on how pleasant a short haul (+) flight is.
In fairness the CSM did come around at the start of the flight and proactively offer a glass of fizz to GCHs but he was then serving CE so didn't get a chance to chinwag.