To the Checkout Assistant Who Made Me Completely Speechless – Kudos to You
This occurred on a Sunday morning, and I was sufficiently irritable, filling up my mother's vehicle. The location was a typical gas station that doubles as a supermarket, meaning there's a chance of waiting behind customers carrying goods of slightly overpriced groceries. This is a dreadful thing to unfold when your only desire is to get gasoline and leave. Dreadful.
I was fourth in the queue. A single person serving, a young woman. Something stood out in her demeanor. Once the slowpoke at the first position had at last settled for a cleaning product, his pastry, and a carton of eggs, I could have sworn I heard the cashier bid him an excellent day. Strange. Perhaps I’d misheard, or perhaps she spoke and meant it ironically. I wondered if perhaps she was a comrade in the war on delays, sharing my contempt for those who delay simple fuel-buyers such as myself.
Advancing next, now third in line. The person ahead of the queue discharged her fuel-only transaction with commendable speed. Again, the phrase came: “I hope you have a fantastic day.” To be precise, it was “enjoy a truly great day”. A stateside native? Here in Stourbridge? Her tone suggested it, and few locals tells people a wonderful day, or even just a nice day. Highly unusual. It's uncommon to find many Americans visiting this town, least of all working in petrol stations or elsewhere.
I was second now. Behind a poor older woman dealing with a right old battle with her shopping cart, her food items, her wallet and her loyalty card. The process dragged on. Once completed, she too got told to have a fantastic day. Yes, American for sure. I might have verified it by making a witty remark to her, to observe that reaction when they look at you, without a smile, and reply with genuine earnest: “You are very amusing.” But I couldn’t think of a jest to say.
Ultimately, I accepted the heartfelt tone – or a performance of it, that equates to identical in effect – with which she looked me right in the eye, to my very core, and bid me to have a great day. My spirits lifted. Beneficial indeed.