For the Store Clerk Who Made Me Absolutely Wordless – Kudos to You
It was a Sunday morning, and I felt in a foul mood, topping off the family car. This was a common fuel stop that operates as a convenience store, meaning there's a chance of waiting behind people bearing baskets of slightly overpriced groceries. It's an awful situation to unfold when the sole aim is to complete a simple refueling. Terrible.
I was fourth in the waiting line. Just one employee working, a young woman. Something stood out in her demeanor. After the ditherer at the head of the line had completed payment for his Viakal, his sausage roll, and his box of eggs, It seemed to me I heard the cashier bid him a wonderful day. Unusual. Could be I misunderstood, or perhaps she spoke and used a mocking tone. I wondered if she might actually be a comrade in the war on delays, echoing my disdain for individuals slowing down simple fuel-buyers including me.
Advancing next, now third in line. The new leader of our group completed her gasoline purchase with impressive quickness. Again, the phrase came: “I hope you have a fantastic day.” In fact, it was “enjoy a truly great day”. An American? At this location? She had the accent, and few locals says to others a wonderful day, or simply a good day. Very rare. You don’t get people from America knocking around Stourbridge, least of all holding jobs in fueling spots or elsewhere.
Second in line at last. Behind a poor older woman embroiled in a lengthy struggle with her basket, her purchases, her wallet and her loyalty card. The process dragged on. After she finished, she as well received the wish a wonderful day. Definitely from the US. I might have verified it by cracking a joke at the cashier, to see if she did that thing their typical stare, unsmilingly, and say with absolute sincerity: “That’s really funny.” But I couldn’t think of anything hilarious to express.
Ultimately, I accepted for the absolute sincerity – or an impersonation of it, essentially the same as identical in effect – as she gazed directly into my eyes, piercingly, and told me to have a great day. I felt better for it. A positive experience.
