To the Cashier That Made Me Totally Speechless – My Hat's Off to You
It was a weekend morning, and I was in a foul mood, filling up the family car. It was one of those petrol stations that also functions as a supermarket, which often leads of ending up in line people bearing baskets of pricey provisions. It's an awful situation to happen when the sole aim is to pay for some fuel. Dreadful.
I was fourth among those waiting. There was only employee working, a youthful clerk. Something stood out about her. Once the slowpoke at the front of the queue had finally paid for a cleaning product, a baked snack, and some breakfast items, I could have sworn that I heard the cashier bid him a wonderful day. Odd. Maybe it was a mistake, or possibly she uttered it and meant it ironically. I pondered if perhaps she was a comrade in my battle with dithering, sharing my contempt for people who hold up simple fuel-buyers such as myself.
Advancing next, to third in the queue. The person ahead of the queue finished pumping gas with notable efficiency. Again, the phrase came: “Have a wonderful day.” No, actually, it was “may your day be absolutely splendid”. An American? In Stourbridge? The pronunciation indicated it, and no British person wishes anyone a wonderful day, or even just a nice day. Quite out of place. You don’t get US citizens frequenting this area, least of all holding jobs in fueling spots or other places.
Second in line at last. After an elderly lady engaged in a lengthy struggle with her shopping cart, her groceries, her handbag and her membership pass. It went on for ever. After she finished, the woman also was wished a wonderful day. Yes, American for sure. Confirming it was possible by saying something hilarious at the cashier, to observe that thing as they gaze at you, unsmilingly, and say with absolute sincerity: “That is quite humorous.” Yet no idea came of a funny comment to utter.
In the end, I embraced for the absolute sincerity – or an impersonation of it, which amounts to the same thing – with which she looked me right in the eye, piercingly, and wished me an awesome day. It improved my mood. Beneficial indeed.
