That's a smart way to handle it, using what you have. An old guidebook I read always said to look for animal paths when you're stuck. Your satellite map trick is just the modern version of that same good advice.

It actually hurts impulse buys though, since returning packaging takes effort lol.

Saw my friend get the same note from her manager last month. She started adding one nice line at the top, like "Hope you're having a good week," before the quick ask. Boss chilled out immediately and the emails stayed short.