To the Checkout Assistant Who Left Me Completely Wordless – My Hat's Off to You
It was a Sunday morning, and I felt grumpy enough, refueling the family car. It was one of those petrol stations that operates as a grocery store, which often leads of joining a queue shoppers with carts of pricey provisions. This is a dreadful thing to unfold when all you want is to pay for some fuel. Awful.
My position was fourth among those waiting. Just one employee working, a female attendant. A peculiar quality to her presence. After the ditherer at the head of the line had at last settled for a cleaning product, his pastry, and a carton of eggs, It seemed to me overhearing the cashier tell him an excellent day. Strange. Maybe it was a mistake, or possibly she uttered it and was being sarcastic. I pondered if she could even be a supporter in the war on delays, echoing my disdain for people who hold up people just getting gas including me.
Advancing next, becoming the third customer. The person ahead of our group discharged her fuel-only transaction with commendable speed. Once more it happened: “Wishing you a marvelous day.” To be precise, it was “may your day be absolutely splendid”. A stateside native? In Stourbridge? The pronunciation indicated it, and few locals wishes anyone those exact words, or merely a pleasant day. Quite out of place. Rarely does one encounter US citizens frequenting this area, and definitely not employed at gas stations or elsewhere.
Now I stood second. Behind a poor older woman dealing with a lengthy struggle with her carryall, her purchases, her handbag and her loyalty card. This took an eternity. Once completed, she as well received the wish an excellent day. Yes, American for sure. I could have confirmed it by saying something hilarious to her, to see if she did that response as they gaze at you, without a smile, and state very earnestly: “That’s really funny.” Yet no idea came of a jest to utter.
In the end, I embraced the genuine warmth – or a performance of it, which amounts to the same thing – as she gazed directly into my eyes, deep into my soul, and wished me to have a great day. I felt better for it. Beneficial indeed.
