To the Store Clerk That Made Me Completely Wordless – My Hat's Off to You
This occurred on a Sunday morning, and I felt in a foul mood, topping off my mum’s car. The location was a typical gas station that operates as a supermarket, which often leads of ending up in line people bearing baskets of pricey provisions. It's an awful situation to unfold when your only desire is to get gasoline and leave. Dreadful.
Fourth in line I stood in the waiting line. Just one employee working, a youthful clerk. Something stood out in her demeanor. When the faffer at the first position had completed payment for his purchases, his sausage roll, and some breakfast items, I could have sworn I heard the cashier bid him a wonderful day. Strange. Perhaps I’d misheard, or possibly she uttered it and was being sarcastic. I wondered if she might actually be a supporter in the war on delays, reflecting my irritation for those who delay straightforward customers including me.
Advancing next, to third in the queue. The next shopper of the queue completed her gasoline purchase with notable efficiency. Once more it happened: “Have a wonderful day.” No, actually, it was “enjoy a truly great day”. Someone from the US? In Stourbridge? Her tone suggested it, and few locals says to others a wonderful day, or merely a pleasant day. Quite out of place. It's uncommon to find many Americans knocking around Stourbridge, and definitely not working in petrol stations or other places.
Now I stood second. Behind a poor older woman dealing with a protracted effort with her carryall, her groceries, her handbag and her rewards card. It went on for ever. When she was done, she as well got told to have a fantastic day. Yes, American for sure. Confirming it was possible by cracking a joke in her direction, to check for that thing their typical stare, stoically, and reply with genuine earnest: “You are very amusing.” However, nothing occurred of a jest to say.
In the end, I embraced the genuine warmth – or an impersonation of it, essentially the same as the same thing – with which she looked directly into my eyes, to my very core, and told me a wonderful day. I felt better for it. Beneficial indeed.
