To the Cashier Who Left Me Totally Without Words – Kudos to You
It was a day of rest, and I found myself in a foul mood, refueling my mum’s car. It was a typical gas station that operates as a grocery store, so you run the risk of ending up in line shoppers with carts of pricey provisions. It's an awful situation to happen when the sole aim is to complete a simple refueling. Terrible.
I was fourth in the waiting line. A single person serving, a youthful clerk. There was something unusual about her. When the faffer at the front of the queue had at last settled for a cleaning product, his pastry, and some breakfast items, It seemed to me I heard the cashier wish him to have a great day. Strange. Maybe it was a mistake, or possibly she uttered it and meant it ironically. I pondered if she might actually be an ally in the war on delays, echoing my disdain for individuals slowing down people just getting gas including me.
I moved up, now third in line. The new leader of our line finished pumping gas with impressive quickness. Once more it happened: “Have a wonderful day.” To be precise, it was “may your day be absolutely splendid”. A stateside native? In Stourbridge? Her tone suggested it, and no British person tells people those exact words, or merely a pleasant day. Very rare. You don’t get US citizens frequenting this area, least of all working in petrol stations or other places.
I was second now. Behind a poor older woman embroiled in a right old battle with her basket, her groceries, her purse and her membership pass. It went on for ever. After she finished, the woman also got told an excellent day. Definitely from the US. Confirming it was possible by saying something hilarious at the cashier, to check for that reaction as they gaze at you, unsmilingly, and reply with genuine earnest: “That is quite humorous.” Yet no idea came of anything hilarious to utter.
I just had to settle for the absolute sincerity – or a performance of it, which amounts to no different – with which she looked me right in the eye, to my very core, and told me a wonderful day. I felt better for it. Beneficial indeed.
