For the Store Clerk Who Made Me Completely Without Words – I Salute You
It was a day of rest, and I felt in a foul mood, filling up the family car. It was one of those petrol stations that operates as a grocery store, meaning there's a chance of waiting behind customers carrying goods of somewhat expensive items. This is a dreadful thing to occur when your only desire is to pay for some fuel. Terrible.
My position was fourth among those waiting. A single person serving, a young woman. There was something unusual about her. When the faffer at the head of the line had finally paid for a cleaning product, his pastry, and a carton of eggs, I could have sworn that I heard the cashier tell him an excellent day. Strange. Perhaps I’d misheard, or possibly she uttered it and meant it ironically. The thought crossed my mind if she could even be an ally in my fight against faff, echoing my disdain for people who hold up straightforward customers like me.
Taking a step forward, now third in line. The person ahead of our group discharged her fuel-only transaction with notable efficiency. And there it was again: “Have a wonderful day.” No, actually, it was “have a wonderful day”. An American? Here in Stourbridge? The pronunciation indicated it, and hardly anyone here wishes anyone those exact words, or merely a pleasant day. Quite out of place. You don’t get many Americans knocking around Stourbridge, and definitely not holding jobs in fueling spots or anywhere else.
Second in line at last. Behind a poor older woman dealing with a lengthy struggle with her basket, her groceries, her purse and her membership pass. This took an eternity. After she finished, the woman also was wished an excellent day. Clearly an American. I could have confirmed it by saying something hilarious at the cashier, to observe that thing when they look at you, without a smile, and say with absolute sincerity: “That is quite humorous.” However, nothing occurred of a jest to utter.
In the end, I embraced the genuine warmth – or a performance of it, that equates to identical in effect – as she gazed directly into my eyes, piercingly, and bid me a wonderful day. I felt better for it. Beneficial indeed.
