To the Store Clerk That Left Me Totally Without Words – Kudos to You
It was a day of rest, and I found myself sufficiently irritable, topping off the family car. The location was one of those petrol stations that doubles as a grocery store, meaning there's a chance of ending up in line shoppers with carts of slightly overpriced groceries. This is a dreadful thing to unfold when the sole aim is to pay for some fuel. Awful.
I was fourth among those waiting. A single person serving, a female attendant. There was something unusual in her demeanor. After the ditherer at the head of the line had at last settled for his Viakal, his sausage roll, and a carton of eggs, I could have sworn overhearing the cashier wish him to have a great day. Odd. Maybe it was a mistake, or perhaps she spoke and used a mocking tone. I pondered if she could even be an ally in the war on delays, reflecting my irritation for individuals slowing down straightforward customers like me.
I moved up, becoming the third customer. The new leader of our group completed her gasoline purchase with notable efficiency. Once more it happened: “Wishing you a marvelous day.” No, actually, it was “have a wonderful day”. An American? In Stourbridge? The pronunciation indicated it, and no British person says to others such a cheerful phrase, or merely a pleasant day. Very rare. It's uncommon to find people from America frequenting this area, certainly not working in petrol stations or elsewhere.
Now I stood second. Behind a poor older woman engaged in a protracted effort with her basket, her groceries, her handbag and her membership pass. The process dragged on. Once completed, she too got told to have a fantastic day. Definitely from the US. I could have confirmed it by saying something hilarious at the cashier, to check for that thing as they gaze at you, without a smile, and say with absolute sincerity: “That’s really funny.” Yet no idea came of anything hilarious to utter.
Ultimately, I accepted the genuine warmth – or an impersonation of it, essentially the same as identical in effect – as she gazed directly into my eyes, deep into my soul, and wished me to have a great day. My spirits lifted. A positive experience.
