For the Cashier Who Made Me Completely Speechless – My Hat's Off to You
This occurred on a weekend morning, and I was in a foul mood, filling up my mum’s car. The location was a common fuel stop that doubles as a supermarket, so you run the risk of ending up in line people bearing baskets of pricey provisions. A terrible fate to unfold when your only desire is to pay for some fuel. Awful.
I was fourth in the queue. There was only person serving, a youthful clerk. A peculiar quality in her demeanor. Once the slowpoke at the head of the line had at last settled for his purchases, a baked snack, and his box of eggs, It seemed to me overhearing the cashier tell him to have a great day. Strange. Maybe it was a mistake, or possibly she uttered it and used a mocking tone. I pondered if perhaps she was a comrade in the war on delays, reflecting my irritation for people who hold up straightforward customers such as myself.
Advancing next, to third in the queue. The new leader of the queue finished pumping gas with notable efficiency. Once more it happened: “I hope you have a fantastic day.” To be precise, it was “have a wonderful day”. An American? At this location? Her tone suggested it, and no British person wishes anyone such a cheerful phrase, or merely a pleasant day. Highly unusual. You don’t get US citizens visiting this town, and definitely not holding jobs in fueling spots or anywhere else.
I was second now. After an elderly lady dealing with a lengthy struggle with her shopping cart, her food items, her purse and her loyalty card. The process dragged on. Once completed, she too received the wish to have a fantastic day. Clearly an American. I could have confirmed it by cracking a joke at the cashier, to see if she did that reaction when they look at you, stoically, and reply with genuine earnest: “That’s really funny.” Yet no idea came of anything hilarious to express.
In the end, I embraced the genuine warmth – or an impersonation of it, essentially the same as the same thing – while she stared straight at me, piercingly, and wished me an awesome day. My spirits lifted. Beneficial indeed.
