For the Cashier Who Left Me Absolutely Speechless – My Hat's Off to You
The scene was a weekend morning, and I found myself grumpy enough, filling up my mother's vehicle. This was one of those petrol stations that operates as a supermarket, meaning there's a chance of joining a queue people bearing baskets of somewhat expensive items. A terrible fate to occur when your only desire is to complete a simple refueling. Awful.
My position was fourth in the queue. There was only employee working, a young woman. A peculiar quality to her presence. After the ditherer at the head of the line had finally paid for his Viakal, a baked snack, and his box of eggs, I could have sworn overhearing the cashier wish him an excellent day. Unusual. Maybe it was a mistake, or possibly she uttered it and meant it ironically. I pondered if she might actually be a comrade in my battle with dithering, reflecting my irritation for people who hold up people just getting gas like me.
Advancing next, now third in line. The next shopper of our line discharged her fuel-only transaction with commendable speed. Once more it happened: “I hope you have a fantastic day.” To be precise, it was “may your day be absolutely splendid”. Someone from the US? Here in Stourbridge? The pronunciation indicated it, and no British person tells people such a cheerful phrase, or even just a nice day. Very rare. You don’t get people from America visiting this town, least of all employed at gas stations or other places.
Now I stood second. Following a senior shopper engaged in a right old battle with her basket, her groceries, her handbag and her rewards card. The process dragged on. When she was done, she as well was wished an excellent day. Yes, American for sure. I might have verified it by cracking a joke to her, to observe that response their typical stare, stoically, and state very earnestly: “That is quite humorous.” Yet no idea came of a funny comment to utter.
In the end, I embraced the heartfelt tone – or an impersonation of it, that equates to identical in effect – as she gazed straight at me, to my very core, and told me a wonderful day. It improved my mood. A positive experience.
