Addressing the Cashier Who Left Me Completely Wordless – Kudos to You
The scene was a Sunday morning, and I was in a foul mood, topping off my mum’s car. This was one of those petrol stations that operates as a convenience store, which often leads of waiting behind people bearing baskets of slightly overpriced groceries. This is a dreadful thing to happen when all you want is to get gasoline and leave. Dreadful.
Fourth in line I stood in the waiting line. Just one person serving, a youthful clerk. There was something unusual about her. Once the slowpoke at the first position had completed payment for a cleaning product, his pastry, and a carton of eggs, I was certain that I heard the cashier tell him an excellent day. Strange. Maybe it was a mistake, or possibly she uttered it and meant it ironically. I wondered if perhaps she was an ally in the war on delays, echoing my disdain for individuals slowing down straightforward customers including me.
Taking a step forward, now third in line. The next shopper of our group finished pumping gas with notable efficiency. Again, the phrase came: “Have a wonderful day.” No, actually, it was “enjoy a truly great day”. An American? Here in Stourbridge? Her tone suggested it, and few locals tells people those exact words, or even just a nice day. Very rare. Rarely does one encounter people from America frequenting this area, certainly not employed at gas stations or other places.
Now I stood second. Behind a poor older woman engaged in a lengthy struggle with her basket, her purchases, her handbag and her loyalty card. The process dragged on. Once completed, she too got told to have a fantastic day. Yes, American for sure. Confirming it was possible by saying something hilarious in her direction, to check for that response as they gaze at you, unsmilingly, and state very earnestly: “That’s really funny.” Yet no idea came of a jest to express.
In the end, I embraced the genuine warmth – or a mimicry of sincerity, that equates to the same thing – with which she looked straight at me, piercingly, and bid me a wonderful day. I felt better for it. It was a good thing.
