For the Cashier Who Made Me Totally Speechless – I Salute You
The scene was a day of rest, and I found myself sufficiently irritable, refueling my mother's vehicle. It was a common fuel stop that also functions as a grocery store, meaning there's a chance of joining a queue customers carrying goods of pricey provisions. This is a dreadful thing to happen when the sole aim is to complete a simple refueling. Terrible.
My position was fourth among those waiting. There was only employee working, a youthful clerk. There was something unusual about her. Once the slowpoke at the front of the queue had completed payment for a cleaning product, his pastry, and his box of eggs, It seemed to me I heard the cashier wish him to have a great day. Odd. Perhaps I’d misheard, or possibly she uttered it and used a mocking tone. The thought crossed my mind if she might actually be a supporter in my battle with dithering, sharing my contempt for those who delay simple fuel-buyers like me.
I moved up, becoming the third customer. The new leader of our line discharged her fuel-only transaction with commendable speed. Again, the phrase came: “Have a wonderful day.” To be precise, it was “may your day be absolutely splendid”. A stateside native? At this location? Her tone suggested it, and few locals tells people such a cheerful phrase, or even just a nice day. Highly unusual. It's uncommon to find US citizens frequenting this area, and definitely not holding jobs in fueling spots or other places.
Second in line at last. After an elderly lady embroiled in a right old battle with her shopping cart, her groceries, her wallet and her loyalty card. This took an eternity. When she was done, the woman also was wished a wonderful day. Clearly an American. I could have confirmed it by making a witty remark in her direction, to observe that thing when they look at you, stoically, and reply with genuine earnest: “That’s really funny.” Yet no idea came of anything hilarious to say.
In the end, I embraced the heartfelt tone – or an impersonation of it, that equates to no different – while she stared straight at me, to my very core, and told me to have a great day. It improved my mood. A positive experience.
