Addressing the Checkout Assistant Who Made Me Absolutely Wordless – My Hat's Off to You
It was a day of rest, and I found myself sufficiently irritable, topping off my mum’s car. This was a typical gas station that also functions as a supermarket, which often leads of joining a queue people bearing baskets of pricey provisions. A terrible fate to occur when your only desire is to complete a simple refueling. Terrible.
I was fourth in the queue. A single cashier operating, a youthful clerk. There was something unusual in her demeanor. After the ditherer at the first position had completed payment for his Viakal, a baked snack, and a carton of eggs, It seemed to me I heard the cashier bid him to have a great day. Strange. Perhaps I’d misheard, or perhaps she spoke and was being sarcastic. I wondered if she could even be a comrade in my battle with dithering, reflecting my irritation for people who hold up people just getting gas like me.
I moved up, now third in line. The person ahead of our line completed her gasoline purchase with impressive quickness. Once more it happened: “Have a wonderful day.” In fact, it was “enjoy a truly great day”. Someone from the US? Here in Stourbridge? Her tone suggested it, and no British person says to others those exact words, or simply a good day. Quite out of place. Rarely does one encounter people from America knocking around Stourbridge, certainly not working in petrol stations or elsewhere.
I was second now. Following a senior shopper embroiled in a protracted effort with her basket, her food items, her handbag and her loyalty card. It went on for ever. After she finished, she as well was wished to have a fantastic day. Yes, American for sure. I could have confirmed it by saying something hilarious to her, to observe that thing as they gaze at you, stoically, and say with absolute sincerity: “That is quite humorous.” Yet no idea came of a funny comment to say.
I just had to settle the heartfelt tone – or a mimicry of sincerity, which amounts to identical in effect – with which she looked me right in the eye, to my very core, and told me a wonderful day. I felt better for it. It was a good thing.
