To the Cashier Who Made Me Completely Without Words – My Hat's Off to You
This occurred on a weekend morning, and I was in a foul mood, refueling the family car. It was a typical gas station that also functions as a supermarket, so you run the risk of ending up in line people bearing baskets of slightly overpriced groceries. It's an awful situation to unfold when all you want is to get gasoline and leave. Dreadful.
My position was fourth in the queue. Just one employee working, a female attendant. There was something unusual about her. After the ditherer at the front of the queue had at last settled for his purchases, a baked snack, and his box of eggs, I was certain I heard the cashier wish him to have a great day. Strange. Maybe it was a mistake, or possibly she uttered it and meant it ironically. I wondered if she might actually be a comrade in my battle with dithering, reflecting my irritation for individuals slowing down straightforward customers like me.
I moved up, to third in the queue. The person ahead of our line completed her gasoline purchase with impressive quickness. Again, the phrase came: “Wishing you a marvelous day.” In fact, it was “may your day be absolutely splendid”. Someone from the US? Here in Stourbridge? The pronunciation indicated it, and few locals tells people those exact words, or even just a nice day. Very rare. It's uncommon to find many Americans knocking around Stourbridge, least of all holding jobs in fueling spots or anywhere else.
Second in line at last. Behind a poor older woman dealing with a right old battle with her basket, her purchases, her handbag and her membership pass. It went on for ever. After she finished, she as well was wished an excellent day. Yes, American for sure. Confirming it was possible 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 jest to say.
In the end, I embraced the genuine warmth – or an impersonation of it, that equates to the same thing – as she gazed directly into my eyes, to my very core, and wished me an awesome day. I felt better for it. Beneficial indeed.
