For the Cashier That Made Me Absolutely Speechless – Kudos to You
This occurred on a weekend morning, and I felt grumpy enough, refueling my mother's vehicle. It was a typical gas station that doubles as a supermarket, so you run the risk of ending up in line people bearing baskets of pricey provisions. It's an awful situation to unfold when the sole aim is to pay for some fuel. Terrible.
Fourth in line I stood in the waiting line. Just one cashier operating, a youthful clerk. A peculiar quality in her demeanor. Once the slowpoke at the front of the queue had completed payment for his purchases, his pastry, and some breakfast items, It seemed to me overhearing the cashier tell him an excellent day. Odd. Perhaps I’d misheard, or possibly she uttered it and used a mocking tone. I wondered if perhaps she was a supporter in my battle with dithering, sharing my contempt for those who delay straightforward customers including me.
Taking a step forward, to third in the queue. The new leader of the queue discharged her fuel-only transaction with impressive quickness. And there it was again: “Wishing you a marvelous day.” To be precise, it was “may your day be absolutely splendid”. An American? Here in Stourbridge? She had the accent, and no British person wishes anyone those exact words, or merely a pleasant day. Highly unusual. It's uncommon to find many Americans frequenting this area, certainly not working in petrol stations or anywhere else.
Now I stood second. Behind a poor older woman dealing with a protracted effort with her shopping cart, her purchases, her purse and her membership pass. The process dragged on. After she finished, the woman also got told a wonderful day. Yes, American for sure. I could have confirmed it by saying something hilarious to her, to see if she did that response their typical stare, without a smile, and say with absolute sincerity: “You are very amusing.” Yet no idea came of anything hilarious to say.
I just had to settle the heartfelt tone – or a performance of it, which amounts to no different – with which she looked straight at me, deep into my soul, and bid me a wonderful day. I felt better for it. Beneficial indeed.
