For the Cashier Who Made Me Completely Speechless – My Hat's Off to You
This occurred on a Sunday morning, and I found myself sufficiently irritable, topping off my mother's vehicle. It was one of those petrol stations that also functions as a grocery store, which often leads of ending up in line customers carrying goods of somewhat expensive items. A terrible fate to occur when all you want is to complete a simple refueling. Terrible.
I was fourth in the waiting line. There was only employee working, a youthful clerk. A peculiar quality about her. After the ditherer at the head of the line had at last settled for his purchases, his sausage roll, and a carton of eggs, I was certain overhearing the cashier wish him an excellent day. Odd. Could be I misunderstood, or possibly she uttered it and was being sarcastic. I wondered if perhaps she was a comrade in my battle with dithering, reflecting my irritation for those who delay simple fuel-buyers including me.
Advancing next, now third in line. The new leader of the queue discharged her fuel-only transaction with notable efficiency. And there it was again: “I hope you have a fantastic day.” No, actually, it was “enjoy a truly great day”. Someone from the US? In Stourbridge? The pronunciation indicated it, and few locals wishes anyone such a cheerful phrase, or even just a nice day. Very rare. You don’t get people from America knocking around Stourbridge, and definitely not employed at gas stations or elsewhere.
Second in line at last. Behind a poor older woman embroiled in a protracted effort with her basket, her purchases, her wallet and her membership pass. This took an eternity. Once completed, she as well got told an excellent day. Clearly an American. I could have confirmed it by cracking a joke to her, to check for that response as they gaze at you, stoically, and state very earnestly: “That is quite humorous.” Yet no idea came of a jest to utter.
In the end, I embraced the genuine warmth – or a performance of it, which amounts to identical in effect – while she stared me right in the eye, deep into my soul, and wished me to have a great day. It improved my mood. It was a good thing.