To the Checkout Assistant Who Made Me Absolutely Without Words – Kudos to You
It was a Sunday morning, and I found myself in a foul mood, refueling the family car. It was a common fuel stop that operates as a grocery store, which often leads of joining a queue customers carrying goods of slightly overpriced groceries. A terrible fate to occur when your only desire is to complete a simple refueling. Terrible.
I was fourth in the waiting line. There was only cashier operating, a young woman. A peculiar quality in her demeanor. When the faffer at the head of the line had at last settled for his Viakal, his pastry, and some breakfast items, It seemed to me I heard the cashier wish him an excellent day. Strange. Could be I misunderstood, or perhaps she spoke and used a mocking tone. I wondered if perhaps she was a supporter in the war on delays, sharing my contempt for those who delay people just getting gas like me.
Advancing next, becoming the third customer. The next shopper of our line completed her gasoline purchase with notable efficiency. Once more it happened: “Wishing you a marvelous day.” To be precise, it was “may your day be absolutely splendid”. A stateside native? Here in Stourbridge? The pronunciation indicated it, and no British person says to others such a cheerful phrase, or simply a good day. Very rare. You don’t get people from America frequenting this area, least of all holding jobs in fueling spots or elsewhere.
Now I stood second. Behind a poor older woman dealing with a protracted effort with her shopping cart, her purchases, her wallet and her loyalty card. The process dragged on. When she was done, she too got told an excellent day. Definitely from the US. Confirming it was possible by saying something hilarious to her, to observe that reaction when they look at you, stoically, and state very earnestly: “You are very amusing.” However, nothing occurred of anything hilarious to express.
Ultimately, I accepted the heartfelt tone – or a mimicry of sincerity, essentially the same as no different – while she stared me right in the eye, to my very core, and wished me a wonderful day. I felt better for it. Beneficial indeed.
