To the Cashier Who Made Me Completely Without Words – Kudos to You
It was a weekend morning, and I felt grumpy enough, filling up my mother's vehicle. The location was one of those petrol stations that operates as a convenience store, meaning there's a chance of joining a queue shoppers with carts of somewhat expensive items. It's an awful situation to unfold when the sole aim is to complete a simple refueling. Awful.
Fourth in line I stood in the queue. There was only cashier operating, a youthful clerk. Something stood out in her demeanor. After the ditherer at the front of the queue had completed payment for his Viakal, his sausage roll, and some breakfast items, I was certain that I heard the cashier wish him to have a great day. Strange. Could be I misunderstood, or maybe she did say it and was being sarcastic. I wondered if she might actually be a comrade in the war on delays, reflecting my irritation for those who delay straightforward customers like me.
I moved up, becoming the third customer. The new leader of the queue completed her gasoline purchase with impressive quickness. Once more it happened: “Have a wonderful day.” To be precise, it was “may your day be absolutely splendid”. A stateside native? Here in Stourbridge? Her tone suggested it, and no British person wishes anyone those exact words, or merely a pleasant day. Very rare. You don’t get US citizens frequenting this area, least of all employed at gas stations or other places.
I was second now. Behind a poor older woman engaged in a right old battle with her shopping cart, her purchases, her purse and her rewards card. It went on for ever. Once completed, the woman also got told an excellent day. Yes, American for sure. I might have verified it by making a witty remark to her, to see if she did that response as they gaze at you, stoically, and state very earnestly: “That’s really funny.” But I couldn’t think of anything hilarious to say.
I just had to settle the heartfelt tone – or an impersonation of it, which amounts to no different – while she stared directly into my eyes, piercingly, and wished me to have a great day. My spirits lifted. Beneficial indeed.
