For the Store Clerk That Left Me Absolutely Without Words – My Hat's Off to You
The scene was a weekend morning, and I felt in a foul mood, refueling my mum’s car. It was one of those petrol stations that also functions as a supermarket, which often leads of waiting behind shoppers with carts of slightly overpriced groceries. This is a dreadful thing to occur when your only desire is to pay for some fuel. Dreadful.
Fourth in line I stood in the waiting line. A single cashier operating, a youthful clerk. Something stood out about her. After the ditherer at the front of the queue had completed payment for his purchases, his sausage roll, and his box of eggs, I was certain I heard the cashier wish him to have a great day. Unusual. Perhaps I’d misheard, or maybe she did say it and used a mocking tone. I wondered if she might actually be a comrade in my battle with dithering, reflecting my irritation for individuals slowing down straightforward customers including me.
Advancing next, to third in the queue. The new leader of our line completed her gasoline purchase with notable efficiency. And there it was again: “Wishing you a marvelous day.” In fact, it was “have a wonderful day”. An American? In Stourbridge? She had the accent, and no British person wishes anyone those exact words, or simply a good day. Highly unusual. You don’t get many Americans knocking around Stourbridge, and definitely not working in petrol stations or elsewhere.
Now I stood second. After an elderly lady dealing with a lengthy struggle with her shopping cart, her food items, her handbag and her loyalty card. This took an eternity. Once completed, she as well got told an excellent day. Definitely from the US. I could have confirmed it by saying something hilarious to her, to see if she did that thing their typical stare, without a smile, and reply with genuine earnest: “That’s really funny.” Yet no idea came of anything hilarious to express.
In the end, I embraced for the absolute sincerity – or a performance of it, that equates to no different – with which she looked directly into my eyes, to my very core, and bid me to have a great day. It improved my mood. It was a good thing.
