To the Store Clerk That Left Me Absolutely Speechless – I Salute You
This occurred on a weekend morning, and I felt sufficiently irritable, refueling my mother's vehicle. It was one of those petrol stations that doubles as a grocery store, which often leads of ending up in line people bearing baskets of slightly overpriced groceries. It's an awful situation to happen when the sole aim is to get gasoline and leave. Terrible.
My position was fourth among those waiting. Just one cashier operating, a female attendant. Something stood out about her. Once the slowpoke at the head of the line had at last settled for his purchases, a baked snack, and a carton of eggs, It seemed to me overhearing the cashier bid him to have a great day. Strange. Perhaps I’d misheard, or perhaps she spoke and used a mocking tone. I wondered if she could even be an ally in the war on delays, echoing my disdain for individuals slowing down simple fuel-buyers like me.
I moved up, to third in the queue. The person ahead of our group completed her gasoline purchase with notable efficiency. And there it was again: “Wishing you a marvelous day.” To be precise, it was “have a wonderful day”. A stateside native? In Stourbridge? She had the accent, and few locals says to others such a cheerful phrase, or even just a nice day. Highly unusual. You don’t get US citizens knocking around Stourbridge, certainly not working in petrol stations or elsewhere.
I was second now. After an elderly lady dealing with a right old battle with her basket, her groceries, her purse and her rewards card. The process dragged on. After she finished, the woman also got told to have a fantastic day. Clearly an American. Confirming it was possible by cracking a joke at the cashier, to check for that reaction their typical stare, without a smile, and state very earnestly: “That is quite humorous.” But I couldn’t think of a funny comment to say.
Ultimately, I accepted for the absolute sincerity – or an impersonation of it, which amounts to no different – as she gazed directly into my eyes, deep into my soul, and bid me a wonderful day. It improved my mood. It was a good thing.
