To the Store Clerk Who Made Me Absolutely Wordless – Kudos to You
It was a weekend morning, and I found myself in a foul mood, filling up my mother's vehicle. It was a common fuel stop that doubles as a supermarket, meaning there's a chance of ending up in line shoppers with carts of somewhat expensive items. It's an awful situation to unfold when all you want is to pay for some fuel. Awful.
My position was fourth among those waiting. A single person serving, a young woman. Something stood out in her demeanor. Once the slowpoke at the head of the line had at last settled for his purchases, a baked snack, and some breakfast items, It seemed to me that I heard the cashier wish him an excellent day. Odd. Perhaps I’d misheard, or possibly she uttered it and meant it ironically. I pondered if she might actually be an ally in the war on delays, sharing my contempt for people who hold up people just getting gas like me.
I moved up, now third in line. The new leader of our line discharged her fuel-only transaction with notable efficiency. Once more it happened: “Wishing you a marvelous day.” To be precise, it was “have a wonderful day”. A stateside native? Here in Stourbridge? She had the accent, and hardly anyone here says to others a wonderful day, or merely a pleasant day. Highly unusual. You don’t get US citizens visiting this town, and definitely not employed at gas stations or other places.
Now I stood second. Following a senior shopper embroiled in a right old battle with her carryall, her food items, her handbag and her membership pass. It went on for ever. Once completed, she too received the wish a wonderful day. Yes, American for sure. I could have confirmed it by cracking a joke in her direction, to check for that thing their typical stare, stoically, and reply with genuine earnest: “That is quite humorous.” Yet no idea came of a funny comment to express.
I just had to settle the genuine warmth – or a mimicry of sincerity, which amounts to identical in effect – while she stared straight at me, to my very core, and bid me an awesome day. It improved my mood. It was a good thing.
