For the Cashier Who Made Me Absolutely Speechless – I Salute You
The scene was a weekend morning, and I found myself grumpy enough, filling up the family car. This was a typical gas station that also functions as a convenience store, which often leads of joining a queue people bearing baskets of somewhat expensive items. This is a dreadful thing to occur when your only desire is to get gasoline and leave. Awful.
I was fourth in the waiting line. There was only person serving, a female attendant. A peculiar quality in her demeanor. When the faffer at the head of the line had finally paid for his Viakal, his pastry, and some breakfast items, It seemed to me overhearing the cashier tell him a wonderful day. Odd. Maybe it was a mistake, or possibly she uttered it and was being sarcastic. I wondered if she could even be a comrade in the war on delays, reflecting my irritation for those who delay straightforward customers including me.
Taking a step forward, to third in the queue. The new leader of our line finished pumping gas with impressive quickness. And there it was again: “Wishing you a marvelous day.” To be precise, it was “have a wonderful day”. Someone from the US? In Stourbridge? Her tone suggested it, and no British person wishes anyone such a cheerful phrase, or even just a nice day. Highly unusual. It's uncommon to find US citizens visiting this town, certainly not holding jobs in fueling spots or other places.
Now I stood second. After an elderly lady dealing with a lengthy struggle with her shopping cart, her food items, her handbag and her rewards card. This took an eternity. Once completed, she too received the wish an excellent day. Definitely from the US. I might have verified it by making a witty remark to her, to see if she did that thing when they look at you, stoically, and say with absolute sincerity: “That is quite humorous.” However, nothing occurred of a jest to utter.
In the end, I embraced the genuine warmth – or a mimicry of sincerity, which amounts to identical in effect – with which she looked straight at me, piercingly, and told me an awesome day. My spirits lifted. Beneficial indeed.
