To the Checkout Assistant That Made Me Completely Wordless – I Salute You
The scene was a day of rest, and I was sufficiently irritable, filling up my mother's vehicle. It was a common fuel stop that also functions as a grocery store, which often leads of joining a queue customers carrying goods of slightly overpriced groceries. This is a dreadful thing to happen when the sole aim is to get gasoline and leave. Terrible.
My position was fourth in the waiting line. There was only person serving, a young woman. A peculiar quality about her. After the ditherer at the front of the queue had at last settled for his purchases, a baked snack, and some breakfast items, I could have sworn I heard the cashier tell him an excellent day. Odd. Maybe it was a mistake, or perhaps she spoke and used a mocking tone. I pondered if perhaps she was an ally in my fight against faff, sharing my contempt for individuals slowing down people just getting gas including me.
I moved up, becoming the third customer. The new leader of the queue discharged her fuel-only transaction with commendable speed. Once more it happened: “Wishing you a marvelous day.” To be precise, it was “enjoy a truly great day”. A stateside native? At this location? The pronunciation indicated it, and no British person tells people a wonderful day, or merely a pleasant day. Very rare. You don’t get US citizens knocking around Stourbridge, least of all employed at gas stations or other places.
Second in line at last. After an elderly lady embroiled in a protracted effort with her shopping cart, her purchases, her purse and her loyalty card. It went on for ever. After she finished, she as well got told an excellent day. Yes, American for sure. I could have confirmed it by cracking a joke at the cashier, to observe that reaction when they look at you, stoically, and say with absolute sincerity: “That is quite humorous.” Yet no idea came of anything hilarious to utter.
I just had to settle the heartfelt tone – or a performance of it, that equates to no different – as she gazed straight at me, deep into my soul, and wished me a wonderful day. My spirits lifted. A positive experience.
