For the Store Clerk That Made Me Absolutely Speechless – My Hat's Off to You
It was a weekend morning, and I was grumpy enough, filling up my mother's vehicle. It was a typical gas station that doubles as a supermarket, which often leads of waiting behind shoppers with carts of slightly overpriced groceries. A terrible fate to occur when all you want is to complete a simple refueling. Terrible.
Fourth in line I stood in the waiting line. Just one person serving, a youthful clerk. There was something unusual about her. Once the slowpoke at the front of the queue had completed payment for his Viakal, his pastry, and some breakfast items, It seemed to me that I heard the cashier bid him an excellent day. Odd. Maybe it was a mistake, or maybe she did say it and was being sarcastic. I pondered if she could even be an ally in the war on delays, reflecting my irritation for those who delay people just getting gas including me.
Advancing next, to third in the queue. The next shopper of our line finished pumping gas with notable efficiency. Once more it happened: “Wishing you a marvelous day.” To be precise, it was “enjoy a truly great day”. An American? At this location? The pronunciation indicated it, and no British person says to others such a cheerful phrase, or merely a pleasant day. Very rare. Rarely does one encounter US citizens knocking around Stourbridge, and definitely not holding jobs in fueling spots or anywhere else.
Now I stood second. Behind a poor older woman dealing with a right old battle with her shopping cart, her food items, her handbag and her membership pass. It went on for ever. When she was done, the woman also got told an excellent day. Yes, American for sure. I might have verified it by making a witty remark at the cashier, to check for that response as they gaze at you, stoically, and say with absolute sincerity: “You are very amusing.” However, nothing occurred of a funny comment to express.
Ultimately, I accepted the genuine warmth – or a performance of it, essentially the same as the same thing – with which she looked straight at me, to my very core, and told me an awesome day. It improved my mood. A positive experience.
