Though the OP is referring to another blog post that calls the techniques "creepy", the word "manipulate" is a bit strong for what the OP chooses to excerpt:
Customer: This Mac is just too expensive.*
Genius: I can see how you'd feel this way. I felt the
price was a little high, but I found it's a real value
because of all the built-in software and capabilities.
[from the OP:] This tactic dovetails nicely with the section of the
manual on things to avoid saying and doing. For
instance: “Do not apologize for the business [or] the
technology.” Instead, empathize: “I’m sorry you’re
feeling frustrated,” or “too bad about your soda spill
accident.”