To the Store Clerk That Made Me Absolutely Wordless – I Salute You
This occurred on a Sunday morning, and I felt in a foul mood, refueling the family car. The location was a common fuel stop that operates as a grocery store, meaning there's a chance of ending up in line customers carrying goods of slightly overpriced groceries. This is a dreadful thing to unfold when the sole aim is to pay for some fuel. Awful.
My position was fourth in the waiting line. Just one person serving, a young woman. A peculiar quality in her demeanor. Once the slowpoke at the first position had completed payment for a cleaning product, his sausage roll, and some breakfast items, I could have sworn that I heard the cashier tell him to have a great day. Odd. Could be I misunderstood, or possibly she uttered it and used a mocking tone. I wondered if perhaps she was a comrade in my battle with dithering, sharing my contempt for those who delay people just getting gas like me.
I moved up, to third in the queue. The person ahead of our group 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 “have a wonderful day”. An American? Here in Stourbridge? She had the accent, and few locals says to others those exact words, or merely a pleasant day. Highly unusual. Rarely does one encounter many Americans visiting this town, certainly not working in petrol stations or other places.
I was second now. Behind a poor older woman dealing with a lengthy struggle with her shopping cart, her food items, her handbag and her loyalty card. It went on for ever. Once completed, she too got told to have a fantastic day. Yes, American for sure. I might have verified it by making a witty remark at the cashier, to see if she did that response as they gaze at you, stoically, and say with absolute sincerity: “You are very amusing.” Yet no idea came of a jest to express.
I just had to settle the genuine warmth – or an impersonation of it, which amounts to no different – while she stared directly into my eyes, deep into my soul, and bid me a wonderful day. I felt better for it. A positive experience.
