Addressing the Store Clerk That Left Me Totally Without Words – My Hat's Off to You
It was a weekend morning, and I found myself in a foul mood, filling up my mum’s car. It was a typical gas station that also functions as a supermarket, which often leads of joining a queue shoppers with carts of slightly overpriced groceries. It's an awful situation to happen when your only desire is to get gasoline and leave. Awful.
Fourth in line I stood in the queue. Just one cashier operating, a youthful clerk. A peculiar quality to her presence. Once the slowpoke at the front of the queue had finally paid for his purchases, his sausage roll, and his box of eggs, It seemed to me I heard the cashier tell him an excellent day. Unusual. Perhaps I’d misheard, or possibly she uttered it and meant it ironically. The thought crossed my mind if she could even be an ally in the war on delays, sharing my contempt for individuals slowing down people just getting gas such as myself.
I moved up, now third in line. The new leader of our line finished pumping gas with commendable speed. And there it was again: “Wishing you a marvelous day.” To be precise, it was “enjoy a truly great day”. Someone from the US? Here in Stourbridge? Her tone suggested it, and few locals says to others those exact words, or merely a pleasant day. Quite out of place. It's uncommon to find many Americans frequenting this area, and definitely not working in petrol stations or elsewhere.
I was second now. After an elderly lady embroiled in a lengthy struggle with her shopping cart, her groceries, her purse and her rewards card. It went on for ever. Once completed, she as well received the wish an excellent day. Definitely from the US. I could have confirmed it by cracking a joke at the cashier, to see if she did that reaction when they look at you, without a smile, and state very earnestly: “You are very amusing.” But I couldn’t think of a funny comment to utter.
Ultimately, I accepted the heartfelt tone – or a mimicry of sincerity, that equates to no different – while she stared me right in the eye, deep into my soul, and bid me a wonderful day. My spirits lifted. It was a good thing.
