For the Cashier Who Made Me Totally Speechless – My Hat's Off to You
The scene was a Sunday morning, and I was grumpy enough, refueling my mother's vehicle. This was one of those petrol stations that also functions as a grocery store, meaning there's a chance of joining a queue shoppers with carts of somewhat expensive items. A terrible fate to happen when your only desire is to get gasoline and leave. Awful.
I was fourth among those waiting. A single employee working, a young woman. There was something unusual in her demeanor. After the ditherer at the head of the line had finally paid for a cleaning product, a baked snack, and some breakfast items, I could have sworn I heard the cashier tell him an excellent day. Strange. Perhaps I’d misheard, or possibly she uttered it and meant it ironically. I pondered if she might actually be an ally in my fight against faff, echoing my disdain for those who delay people just getting gas such as myself.
Advancing next, now third in line. The next shopper of the queue finished pumping gas with notable efficiency. And there it was again: “I hope you have a fantastic day.” In fact, it was “may your day be absolutely splendid”. An American? In Stourbridge? Her tone suggested it, and hardly anyone here tells people a wonderful day, or simply a good day. Very rare. Rarely does one encounter US citizens visiting this town, certainly not holding jobs in fueling spots or anywhere else.
Second in line at last. Behind a poor older woman dealing with a protracted effort with her basket, her groceries, her handbag and her loyalty card. The process dragged on. Once completed, she as well got told to have a fantastic day. Clearly an American. I might have verified it by saying something hilarious in her direction, to see if she did that response their typical stare, unsmilingly, and reply with genuine earnest: “That is quite humorous.” But I couldn’t think of a funny comment to express.
I just had to settle the genuine warmth – or a mimicry of sincerity, that equates to no different – with which she looked me right in the eye, deep into my soul, and bid me a wonderful day. I felt better for it. It was a good thing.
