Addressing the Cashier Who Left Me Completely Wordless – My Hat's Off to You
It was a Sunday morning, and I found myself grumpy enough, refueling the family car. This was one of those petrol stations that also functions as a supermarket, which often leads of joining a queue shoppers with carts of somewhat expensive items. It's an awful situation to unfold when the sole aim is to pay for some fuel. Dreadful.
Fourth in line I stood in the waiting line. Just one person serving, a youthful clerk. A peculiar quality about her. When the faffer at the first position had finally paid for his Viakal, his pastry, and some breakfast items, I was certain overhearing the cashier bid him a wonderful day. Unusual. Maybe it was a mistake, or perhaps she spoke and was being sarcastic. I wondered if perhaps she was a comrade in my fight against faff, reflecting my irritation for those who delay people just getting gas such as myself.
Taking a step forward, becoming the third customer. The next shopper of our line discharged her fuel-only transaction with impressive quickness. Again, the phrase came: “Wishing you a marvelous day.” In fact, it was “enjoy a truly great day”. Someone from the US? Here in Stourbridge? The pronunciation indicated it, and hardly anyone here says to others a wonderful day, or merely a pleasant day. Quite out of place. You don’t get people from America knocking around Stourbridge, least of all working in petrol stations or other places.
Second in line at last. Behind a poor older woman dealing with a protracted effort with her carryall, her groceries, her purse and her rewards card. The process dragged on. After she finished, she too received the wish a wonderful day. Definitely from the US. I might have verified it by making a witty remark in her direction, to observe that reaction when they look at you, unsmilingly, and state very earnestly: “That’s really funny.” Yet no idea came of a funny comment to say.
Ultimately, I accepted the genuine warmth – or a performance of it, essentially the same as the same thing – while she stared straight at me, deep into my soul, and bid me to have a great day. I felt better for it. A positive experience.
