To the Store Clerk That Made Me Absolutely Wordless – My Hat's Off to You
The scene was a Sunday morning, and I was sufficiently irritable, refueling my mum’s car. The location was one of those petrol stations that doubles as a grocery store, which often leads of joining a queue shoppers with carts of pricey provisions. This is a dreadful thing to occur when your only desire is to pay for some fuel. Awful.
I was fourth among those waiting. A single cashier operating, a youthful clerk. A peculiar quality in her demeanor. When the faffer at the front of the queue had finally paid for a cleaning product, a baked snack, and some breakfast items, I could have sworn overhearing the cashier tell him to have a great day. Strange. Perhaps I’d misheard, or possibly she uttered it and used a mocking tone. I pondered if she might actually be an ally in the war on delays, sharing my contempt for individuals slowing down people just getting gas like me.
I moved up, becoming the third customer. The person ahead of our group finished pumping gas with impressive quickness. And there it was again: “Have a wonderful day.” No, actually, it was “have a wonderful day”. An American? Here in Stourbridge? The pronunciation indicated it, and few locals says to others a wonderful day, or merely a pleasant day. Highly unusual. Rarely does one encounter people from America visiting this town, certainly not employed at gas stations or other places.
I was second now. After an elderly lady dealing with a right old battle with her shopping cart, her purchases, her handbag and her rewards card. The process dragged on. Once completed, the woman also received the wish to have a fantastic day. Definitely from the US. I might have verified it by making a witty remark at the cashier, to observe that response their typical stare, stoically, and reply with genuine earnest: “That’s really funny.” However, nothing occurred of anything hilarious to utter.
Ultimately, I accepted for the absolute sincerity – or a mimicry of sincerity, essentially the same as identical in effect – while she stared directly into my eyes, to my very core, and told me a wonderful day. I felt better for it. It was a good thing.
