To the Checkout Assistant Who Made Me Totally Wordless – Kudos to You
It was a weekend morning, and I felt in a foul mood, refueling my mother's vehicle. This was a typical gas station that doubles as a convenience store, so you run the risk of ending up in line people bearing baskets of pricey provisions. This is a dreadful thing to occur when the sole aim is to get gasoline and leave. Dreadful.
Fourth in line I stood in the queue. A single cashier operating, a female attendant. A peculiar quality to her presence. Once the slowpoke at the first position had at last settled for his purchases, his sausage roll, and a carton of eggs, I could have sworn overhearing the cashier wish him an excellent day. Unusual. Maybe it was a mistake, or perhaps she spoke and meant it ironically. The thought crossed my mind if she could even be a supporter in my fight against faff, sharing my contempt for those who delay simple fuel-buyers like me.
I moved up, to third in the queue. The next shopper of our group discharged her fuel-only transaction with impressive quickness. Again, the phrase came: “I hope you have a fantastic day.” To be precise, it was “have a wonderful day”. A stateside native? In Stourbridge? She had the accent, and hardly anyone here says to others a wonderful day, or simply a good day. Quite out of place. It's uncommon to find many Americans frequenting this area, and definitely not holding jobs in fueling spots or other places.
Now I stood second. Behind a poor older woman dealing with a protracted effort with her carryall, her groceries, her wallet and her loyalty card. The process dragged on. After she finished, the woman also was wished a wonderful day. Definitely from the US. I could have confirmed it by cracking a joke to her, to check for that reaction when they look at you, stoically, and state very earnestly: “That is quite humorous.” But I couldn’t think of a funny comment to express.
Ultimately, I accepted for the absolute sincerity – or a performance of it, essentially the same as identical in effect – while she stared me right in the eye, piercingly, and bid me a wonderful day. My spirits lifted. Beneficial indeed.
