For the Store Clerk Who Made Me Totally Speechless – I Salute You
The scene was a weekend morning, and I was in a foul mood, refueling my mum’s car. The location was a common fuel stop that operates as a supermarket, which often leads of waiting behind customers carrying goods of pricey provisions. A terrible fate to happen when your only desire is to pay for some fuel. Awful.
Fourth in line I stood in the queue. Just one cashier operating, a female attendant. Something stood out about her. When the faffer at the first position had at last settled for a cleaning product, his pastry, and some breakfast items, I could have sworn that I heard the cashier tell him an excellent day. Odd. Could be I misunderstood, or maybe she did say it and was being sarcastic. The thought crossed my mind if she might actually be an ally in the war on delays, sharing my contempt for people who hold up people just getting gas such as myself.
Advancing next, becoming the third customer. The next shopper of the queue discharged her fuel-only transaction with commendable speed. And there it was again: “I hope you have a fantastic day.” To be precise, it was “may your day be absolutely splendid”. Someone from the US? In Stourbridge? She had the accent, and hardly anyone here says to others a wonderful day, or simply a good day. Very rare. It's uncommon to find people from America knocking around Stourbridge, least of all working in petrol stations or anywhere else.
Now I stood second. Following a senior shopper embroiled in a right old battle with her basket, her groceries, her wallet and her membership pass. The process dragged on. After she finished, she as well got told to have a fantastic day. Clearly an American. I might have verified it by making a witty remark to her, to check for that response their typical stare, unsmilingly, and say with absolute sincerity: “You are very amusing.” But I couldn’t think of anything hilarious to express.
I just had to settle the genuine warmth – or an impersonation of it, that equates to no different – as she gazed directly into my eyes, deep into my soul, and wished me an awesome day. My spirits lifted. Beneficial indeed.
