Addressing the Store Clerk Who Left Me Completely Speechless – My Hat's Off to You
It was a day of rest, and I was sufficiently irritable, filling up my mother's vehicle. This was one of those petrol stations that doubles as a grocery store, which often leads 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. Dreadful.
My position was fourth in the queue. A single person serving, a female attendant. Something stood out to her presence. Once the slowpoke at the first position had at last settled for a cleaning product, his sausage roll, and some breakfast items, It seemed to me that I heard the cashier wish him a wonderful day. Strange. Perhaps I’d misheard, or possibly she uttered it and used a mocking tone. I wondered if she could even be a supporter in the war on delays, reflecting my irritation for people who hold up people just getting gas like me.
Taking a step forward, now third in line. The next shopper of our line discharged her fuel-only transaction with notable efficiency. And there it was again: “Have a wonderful day.” No, actually, it was “may your day be absolutely splendid”. Someone from the US? Here in Stourbridge? She had the accent, and hardly anyone here tells people such a cheerful phrase, or simply a good day. Quite out of place. It's uncommon to find people from America frequenting this area, least of all employed at gas stations or anywhere else.
Now I stood second. Following a senior shopper dealing with a lengthy struggle with her shopping cart, her purchases, her handbag and her membership pass. This took an eternity. When she was done, she as well received the wish a wonderful day. Yes, American for sure. I might have verified it by saying something hilarious at the cashier, to check for that reaction when they look at you, stoically, and state very earnestly: “You are very amusing.” Yet no idea came of anything hilarious to express.
I just had to settle the heartfelt tone – or a mimicry of sincerity, which amounts to the same thing – as she gazed straight at me, deep into my soul, and told me an awesome day. I felt better for it. A positive experience.
