Addressing the Store Clerk Who Left Me Totally Speechless – I Salute You
This occurred on a weekend morning, and I was sufficiently irritable, filling up my mother's vehicle. The location was one of those petrol stations that operates as a supermarket, which often leads of waiting behind customers carrying goods of pricey provisions. A terrible fate to occur when your only desire is to get gasoline and leave. Dreadful.
Fourth in line I stood in the waiting line. There was only person serving, a youthful clerk. A peculiar quality to her presence. After the ditherer at the front of the queue had completed payment for his purchases, his pastry, and some breakfast items, I could have sworn that I heard the cashier bid him a wonderful day. Odd. Maybe it was a mistake, or possibly she uttered it and meant it ironically. The thought crossed my mind if she might actually be a supporter in my fight against faff, reflecting my irritation for individuals slowing down straightforward customers such as myself.
Taking a step forward, to third in the queue. The person ahead of our line finished pumping gas with notable efficiency. And there it was again: “I hope you have a fantastic day.” No, actually, it was “enjoy a truly great day”. Someone from the US? Here in Stourbridge? The pronunciation indicated it, and hardly anyone here says to others those exact words, or simply a good day. Highly unusual. It's uncommon to find people from America frequenting this area, and definitely not employed at gas stations or elsewhere.
Now I stood second. After an elderly lady dealing with a lengthy struggle with her basket, her food items, her wallet and her rewards card. The process dragged on. When she was done, she too was wished to have a fantastic day. Clearly an American. I could have confirmed it by cracking a joke at the cashier, to check for that thing their typical stare, without a smile, and say with absolute sincerity: “That is quite humorous.” Yet no idea came of a funny comment to say.
In the end, I embraced the heartfelt tone – or a performance of it, essentially the same as no different – with which she looked straight at me, to my very core, and bid me an awesome day. My spirits lifted. Beneficial indeed.
