For the Store Clerk That Left Me Completely Wordless – My Hat's Off to You
This occurred on a weekend morning, and I felt sufficiently irritable, filling up my mother's vehicle. This was a common fuel stop that doubles as a supermarket, which often leads of waiting behind shoppers with carts of slightly overpriced groceries. It's an awful situation to happen when all you want is to get gasoline and leave. Awful.
My position was fourth in the waiting line. There was only cashier operating, a female attendant. Something stood out about her. Once the slowpoke at the front of the queue had completed payment for a cleaning product, his pastry, and a carton of eggs, I was certain overhearing the cashier bid him a wonderful day. Unusual. Perhaps I’d misheard, 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 people who hold up simple fuel-buyers like me.
Advancing next, to third in the queue. The person ahead of the queue completed her gasoline purchase with notable efficiency. Once more it happened: “Have a wonderful day.” No, actually, it was “enjoy a truly great day”. Someone from the US? Here in Stourbridge? Her tone suggested it, and no British person tells people a wonderful day, or merely a pleasant day. Quite out of place. Rarely does one encounter many Americans knocking around Stourbridge, least of all holding jobs in fueling spots or elsewhere.
Now I stood second. Behind a poor older woman engaged in a protracted effort with her basket, her purchases, her wallet and her loyalty card. It went on for ever. When she was done, the woman also received the wish an excellent day. Yes, American for sure. Confirming it was possible by cracking a joke in her direction, to see if she did that thing when they look at you, without a smile, and say with absolute sincerity: “That’s really funny.” Yet no idea came of anything hilarious to express.
I just had to settle the heartfelt tone – or a mimicry of sincerity, that equates to no different – as she gazed me right in the eye, to my very core, and wished me to have a great day. I felt better for it. A positive experience.
