For the Store Clerk That Made Me Totally Without Words – My Hat's Off to You
It was a weekend morning, and I found myself grumpy enough, refueling my mother's vehicle. This was a common fuel stop that doubles as a grocery store, which often leads of joining a queue shoppers with carts of somewhat expensive items. It's an awful situation to happen when all you want is to pay for some fuel. Dreadful.
Fourth in line I stood among those waiting. There was only employee working, a youthful clerk. Something stood out to her presence. Once the slowpoke at the head of the line had at last settled for his Viakal, a baked snack, and some breakfast items, I could have sworn that I heard the cashier bid him a wonderful day. Strange. Perhaps I’d misheard, or possibly she uttered it and was being sarcastic. I pondered if she could even be an ally in my fight against faff, sharing my contempt for those who delay straightforward customers including me.
I moved up, becoming the third customer. The person ahead of the queue finished pumping gas with notable efficiency. Once more it happened: “Have a wonderful day.” To be precise, it was “have a wonderful day”. A stateside native? Here in Stourbridge? She had the accent, and few locals tells people a wonderful day, or simply a good day. Quite out of place. It's uncommon to find US citizens frequenting this area, least of all working in petrol stations or anywhere else.
Now I stood second. Following a senior shopper dealing with a right old battle with her basket, her groceries, her handbag and her membership pass. It went on for ever. When she was done, she as well got told a wonderful day. Yes, American for sure. I could have confirmed it by cracking a joke at the cashier, to check for that thing as they gaze at you, unsmilingly, and reply with genuine earnest: “That is quite humorous.” But I couldn’t think of anything hilarious to utter.
In the end, I embraced the genuine warmth – or a performance of it, that equates to identical in effect – while she stared me right in the eye, deep into my soul, and told me to have a great day. It improved my mood. A positive experience.
