For the Checkout Assistant That Made Me Absolutely Wordless – Kudos to You
This occurred on a weekend morning, and I felt in a foul mood, topping off the family car. This was a typical gas station that also functions as a grocery store, which often leads of waiting behind shoppers with carts of somewhat expensive items. This is a dreadful thing to occur when all you want is to get gasoline and leave. Awful.
Fourth in line I stood among those waiting. Just one cashier operating, a young woman. A peculiar quality to her presence. After the ditherer at the head of the line had finally paid for a cleaning product, his sausage roll, and a carton of eggs, I was certain that I heard the cashier tell him an excellent day. Unusual. Maybe it was a mistake, or perhaps she spoke and meant it ironically. I wondered if perhaps she was an ally in the war on delays, reflecting my irritation for individuals slowing down straightforward customers such as myself.
I moved up, now third in line. The person ahead of our line finished pumping gas with impressive quickness. Again, the phrase came: “Wishing you a marvelous day.” In fact, it was “have a wonderful day”. A stateside native? In Stourbridge? She had the accent, and no British person wishes anyone such a cheerful phrase, or merely a pleasant day. Very rare. You don’t get US citizens knocking around Stourbridge, and definitely not employed at gas stations or anywhere else.
I was second now. After an elderly lady engaged in a lengthy struggle with her shopping cart, her groceries, her purse and her rewards card. The process dragged on. Once completed, she too was wished to have a fantastic day. Definitely from the US. Confirming it was possible by cracking a joke at the cashier, to check for that response when they look at you, stoically, and say with absolute sincerity: “You are very amusing.” However, nothing occurred of a funny comment to say.
Ultimately, I accepted the genuine warmth – or a performance of it, essentially the same as identical in effect – with which she looked me right in the eye, piercingly, and wished me a wonderful day. My spirits lifted. Beneficial indeed.
