For the Checkout Assistant That Made Me Absolutely Speechless – I Salute You
This occurred on a Sunday morning, and I was grumpy enough, topping off my mother's vehicle. This was one of those petrol stations that operates as a supermarket, which often leads of waiting behind shoppers with carts of slightly overpriced groceries. This is a dreadful thing to happen when the sole aim is to complete a simple refueling. Awful.
Fourth in line I stood in the queue. There was only cashier operating, a youthful clerk. There was something unusual in her demeanor. Once the slowpoke at the front of the queue had at last settled for his purchases, his sausage roll, and a carton of eggs, I could have sworn I heard the cashier bid him an excellent day. Strange. Perhaps I’d misheard, or perhaps she spoke and was being sarcastic. I pondered if she could even be a supporter in my battle with dithering, echoing my disdain for individuals slowing down simple fuel-buyers like me.
I moved up, becoming the third customer. The new leader of our line finished pumping gas with impressive quickness. Again, the phrase came: “Have a wonderful day.” To be precise, it was “have a wonderful day”. Someone from the US? At this location? She had the accent, and no British person says to others those exact words, or merely a pleasant day. Very rare. Rarely does one encounter many Americans knocking around Stourbridge, least of all employed at gas stations or elsewhere.
I was second now. After an elderly lady engaged in a protracted effort with her basket, her food items, her handbag and her membership pass. It went on for ever. Once completed, she too received the wish an excellent day. Clearly an American. Confirming it was possible by making a witty remark at the cashier, to check for that reaction as they gaze at you, without a smile, and reply with genuine earnest: “That’s really funny.” Yet no idea came of a jest to express.
I just had to settle the genuine warmth – or an impersonation of it, essentially the same as identical in effect – while she stared straight at me, deep into my soul, and bid me a wonderful day. My spirits lifted. A positive experience.
