To the Checkout Assistant Who Left Me Totally Without Words – My Hat's Off to You
This occurred on a day of rest, and I felt grumpy enough, topping off my mum’s car. It was a typical gas station that also functions as a supermarket, which often leads of joining a queue customers carrying goods of pricey provisions. This is a dreadful thing to occur when your only desire is to get gasoline and leave. Dreadful.
I was fourth among those waiting. There was only person serving, a youthful clerk. There was something unusual in her demeanor. After the ditherer at the head of the line had completed payment for his Viakal, a baked snack, and his box of eggs, It seemed to me I heard the cashier bid him to have a great day. Unusual. Maybe it was a mistake, or maybe she did say it and was being sarcastic. I pondered if she could even be a comrade in the war on delays, reflecting my irritation for individuals slowing down straightforward customers such as myself.
I moved up, becoming the third customer. The new leader of the queue discharged her fuel-only transaction with notable efficiency. And there it was again: “I hope you have a fantastic day.” To be precise, it was “may your day be absolutely splendid”. An American? In Stourbridge? She had the accent, and few locals says to others those exact words, or simply a good day. Highly unusual. It's uncommon to find many Americans frequenting this area, certainly not employed at gas stations or other places.
Second in line at last. After an elderly lady engaged in a protracted effort with her basket, her purchases, her handbag and her rewards card. The process dragged on. When she was done, she too received the wish an excellent day. Definitely from the US. I could have confirmed it by cracking a joke to her, to see if she did that thing as they gaze at you, stoically, and reply with genuine earnest: “You are very amusing.” But I couldn’t think of a funny comment to express.
In the end, I embraced the genuine warmth – or an impersonation of it, essentially the same as the same thing – with which she looked directly into my eyes, to my very core, and bid me a wonderful day. My spirits lifted. Beneficial indeed.
