For the Cashier Who Made Me Totally Speechless – My Hat's Off to You
This occurred on a weekend morning, and I found myself in a foul mood, topping off the family car. The location was a typical gas station that doubles as a supermarket, so you run the risk of ending up in line people bearing baskets of somewhat expensive items. It's an awful situation to unfold when the sole aim is to complete a simple refueling. Awful.
My position was fourth among those waiting. A single cashier operating, a youthful clerk. There was something unusual about her. Once the slowpoke at the head of the line had at last settled for his Viakal, a baked snack, and some breakfast items, It seemed to me I heard the cashier wish him to have a great day. Strange. Perhaps I’d misheard, or maybe she did say it and meant it ironically. I pondered if she might actually be a comrade in my fight against faff, sharing my contempt for individuals slowing down straightforward customers such as myself.
I moved up, to third in the queue. The person ahead of our group finished pumping gas with impressive quickness. Again, the phrase came: “I hope you have a fantastic day.” In fact, it was “have a wonderful day”. A stateside native? Here in Stourbridge? She had the accent, and few locals says to others a wonderful day, or merely a pleasant day. Very rare. Rarely does one encounter people from America frequenting this area, certainly not employed at gas stations or elsewhere.
Second in line at last. After an elderly lady dealing with a protracted effort with her carryall, her groceries, her wallet and her loyalty card. It went on for ever. After she finished, she as well got told to have a fantastic day. Clearly an American. Confirming it was possible by saying something hilarious to her, to check for that response when they look at you, stoically, and state very earnestly: “That’s really funny.” Yet no idea came of a jest to express.
Ultimately, I accepted the genuine warmth – or an impersonation of it, which amounts to identical in effect – while she stared straight at me, piercingly, and bid me a wonderful day. My spirits lifted. A positive experience.
