To the Checkout Assistant That Made Me Totally Speechless – Kudos to You
The scene was a day of rest, and I found myself grumpy enough, filling up my mother's vehicle. The location was a common fuel stop that operates as a grocery store, meaning there's a chance of joining a queue shoppers with carts of pricey provisions. This is a dreadful thing to unfold when the sole aim is to complete a simple refueling. Terrible.
Fourth in line I stood in the queue. There was only cashier operating, a young woman. Something stood out about her. After the ditherer at the front of the queue had at last settled for a cleaning product, his pastry, and some breakfast items, I was certain that I heard the cashier tell him to have a great day. Unusual. Perhaps I’d misheard, or maybe she did say it and used a mocking tone. I pondered if she might actually be a comrade in my battle with dithering, echoing my disdain for those who delay people just getting gas including me.
Advancing next, now third in line. The new leader of the queue finished pumping gas with impressive quickness. Once more it happened: “I hope you have a fantastic day.” In fact, it was “have a wonderful day”. An American? Here in Stourbridge? She had the accent, and no British person tells people a wonderful day, or merely a pleasant day. Highly unusual. It's uncommon to find many Americans knocking around Stourbridge, least of all working in petrol stations or elsewhere.
Second in line at last. Behind a poor older woman embroiled in a right old battle with her carryall, her food items, her purse and her loyalty card. This took an eternity. When she was done, the woman also received the wish a wonderful day. Yes, American for sure. I could have confirmed it by making a witty remark at the cashier, to see if she did that response their typical stare, stoically, and reply with genuine earnest: “That’s really funny.” However, nothing occurred of a funny comment to say.
Ultimately, I accepted the genuine warmth – or a mimicry of sincerity, essentially the same as the same thing – as she gazed straight at me, piercingly, and bid me an awesome day. It improved my mood. A positive experience.
