For the Cashier That Made Me Absolutely Wordless – I Salute You

It was a day of rest, and I found myself grumpy enough, filling up the family car. It was one of those petrol stations that operates as a convenience store, so you run the risk of ending up in line people bearing baskets of slightly overpriced groceries. This is a dreadful thing to happen when your only desire is to pay for some fuel. Dreadful.

My position was fourth among those waiting. A single person serving, a female attendant. There was something unusual about her. Once the slowpoke at the front of the queue had finally paid for his purchases, a baked snack, and a carton of eggs, It seemed to me I heard the cashier tell him to have a great day. Odd. Perhaps I’d misheard, or possibly she uttered it and meant it ironically. I pondered if perhaps she was an ally in the war on delays, sharing my contempt for those who delay people just getting gas such as myself.

Advancing next, becoming the third customer. The person ahead of our line completed her gasoline purchase with commendable speed. Once more it happened: “I hope you have a fantastic day.” In fact, it was “have a wonderful day”. An American? In Stourbridge? She had the accent, and no British person wishes anyone a wonderful day, or merely a pleasant day. Highly unusual. You don’t get people from America frequenting this area, certainly not working in petrol stations or elsewhere.

I was second now. Following a senior shopper dealing with a right old battle with her shopping cart, her purchases, her wallet and her rewards card. This took an eternity. After she finished, the woman also was wished an excellent day. Definitely from the US. I could have confirmed it by cracking a joke in her direction, to observe that thing their typical stare, without a smile, and say with absolute sincerity: “You are very amusing.” Yet no idea came of a funny comment to say.

In the end, I embraced for the absolute sincerity – or a performance of it, essentially the same as the same thing – as she gazed me right in the eye, piercingly, and told me to have a great day. It improved my mood. A positive experience.