For the Cashier That Left Me Totally Wordless – I Salute You
It was a day of rest, and I was sufficiently irritable, filling up my mum’s car. The location was a typical gas station that operates as a grocery store, meaning there's a chance of joining a queue people bearing baskets of slightly overpriced groceries. It's an awful situation to happen when all you want is to get gasoline and leave. Dreadful.
Fourth in line I stood among those waiting. Just one cashier operating, a female attendant. A peculiar quality in her demeanor. After the ditherer at the first position had finally paid for his Viakal, a baked snack, and some breakfast items, It seemed to me I heard the cashier tell him to have a great day. Odd. Could be I misunderstood, or perhaps she spoke and meant it ironically. I wondered if she might actually be an ally in the war on delays, echoing my disdain for those who delay straightforward customers like me.
Advancing next, now third in line. The person ahead of the queue discharged her fuel-only transaction with commendable speed. And there it was again: “Have a wonderful day.” No, actually, it was “enjoy a truly great day”. An American? Here in Stourbridge? The pronunciation indicated it, and few locals tells people those exact words, or simply a good day. Highly unusual. It's uncommon to find US citizens visiting this town, certainly not employed at gas stations or anywhere else.
Second in line at last. Following a senior shopper embroiled in a lengthy struggle with her basket, her groceries, her purse and her rewards card. This took an eternity. Once completed, she as well received the wish an excellent day. Definitely from the US. I might have verified it by saying something hilarious to her, to see if she did that response when they look at you, stoically, and say with absolute sincerity: “You are very amusing.” But I couldn’t think of a jest to say.
I just had to settle the genuine warmth – or an impersonation of it, that equates to the same thing – as she gazed straight at me, to my very core, and bid me an awesome day. It improved my mood. Beneficial indeed.
