To the Checkout Assistant That Left Me Totally Wordless – My Hat's Off to You
This occurred on a day of rest, and I felt grumpy enough, filling up the family car. The location was a common fuel stop that doubles as a grocery store, meaning there's a chance of ending up in line people bearing baskets of slightly overpriced groceries. A terrible fate to occur when your only desire is to pay for some fuel. Awful.
Fourth in line I stood in the waiting line. Just one cashier operating, a young woman. A peculiar quality about her. When the faffer at the first position had at last settled for his purchases, his sausage roll, and his box of eggs, I was certain overhearing the cashier tell him to have a great day. Odd. Perhaps I’d misheard, or possibly she uttered it and used a mocking tone. I pondered if she might actually be a supporter in my battle with dithering, reflecting my irritation for individuals slowing down simple fuel-buyers including me.
Advancing next, now third in line. The next shopper of our group finished pumping gas with impressive quickness. Again, the phrase came: “Wishing you a marvelous day.” To be precise, it was “have a wonderful day”. A stateside native? In Stourbridge? She had the accent, and hardly anyone here tells people a wonderful day, or simply a good day. Highly unusual. You don’t get US citizens visiting this town, least of all holding jobs in fueling spots or anywhere else.
I was second now. After an elderly lady engaged in a lengthy struggle with her carryall, her groceries, her handbag and her rewards card. This took an eternity. When she was done, she as well received the wish a wonderful day. Definitely from the US. I might have verified it by saying something hilarious at the cashier, to check for that reaction their typical stare, stoically, and say with absolute sincerity: “That’s really funny.” But I couldn’t think of anything hilarious to express.
In the end, I embraced the heartfelt tone – or a mimicry of sincerity, essentially the same as no different – while she stared straight at me, to my very core, and wished me an awesome day. It improved my mood. A positive experience.
