> When Max picked up the phone, you should have exclaimed, “Hey, Max! It’s a pleasure to chat. I would love to hear what you’re up to.” And you should have said it genuinely.

Should have, yes, if you really felt that way. And if you can feel that way geniunely, that's the best.

However, I don't think it's right to lie like that if you don't really feel that way. You can go a long way being nice without lying.

But, on don't just give up and say, "I'm just not nice." That's a problem, and if you feel that way all the time, you should go see or talk to someone: a family member, a friend, a GP doctor, a psychiatrist, or anyone that will listen and help you figure out the real problem. You might need more sleep. You might need medicine. You might need a chiropractic adjustment. You might need to vent. You might need to just spend time with another person. You might need to be alone in nature.