To the Store Clerk That Left Me Totally Wordless – My Hat's Off to You
It was a Sunday morning, and I felt sufficiently irritable, topping off the family car. The location was one of those petrol stations that also functions as a grocery store, so you run the risk of ending up in line customers carrying goods of somewhat expensive items. A terrible fate to occur when all you want is to get gasoline and leave. Terrible.
I was fourth among those waiting. A single employee working, a young woman. A peculiar quality in her demeanor. After the ditherer at the first position had completed payment for his Viakal, his sausage roll, and his box of eggs, It seemed to me I heard the cashier bid him a wonderful day. Odd. Perhaps I’d misheard, or perhaps she spoke and meant it ironically. The thought crossed my mind if perhaps she was a supporter in my fight against faff, sharing my contempt for people who hold up simple fuel-buyers including me.
Advancing next, to third in the queue. The next shopper of our line finished pumping gas with commendable speed. And there it was again: “Wishing you a marvelous day.” To be precise, it was “have a wonderful day”. Someone from the US? At this location? Her tone suggested it, and hardly anyone here wishes anyone a wonderful day, or merely a pleasant day. Quite out of place. It's uncommon to find US citizens frequenting this area, and definitely not holding jobs in fueling spots or anywhere else.
Second in line at last. Following a senior shopper embroiled in a protracted effort with her carryall, her food items, her handbag and her membership pass. It went on for ever. After she finished, the woman also was wished to have a fantastic day. Definitely from the US. I might have verified it by cracking a joke at the cashier, to see if she did that response their typical stare, stoically, and state very earnestly: “That is quite humorous.” But I couldn’t think of anything hilarious to utter.
I just had to settle the heartfelt tone – or a performance of it, which amounts to the same thing – with which she looked me right in the eye, to my very core, and told me an awesome day. I felt better for it. It was a good thing.
