To the Cashier That Left Me Totally Speechless – My Hat's Off to You
It was a day of rest, and I found myself in a foul mood, refueling my mum’s car. It was a common fuel stop that operates as a supermarket, so you run the risk of ending up in line people bearing baskets of slightly overpriced groceries. This is a dreadful thing to unfold when the sole aim is to get gasoline and leave. Dreadful.
Fourth in line I stood in the queue. A single person serving, a female attendant. Something stood out about her. Once the slowpoke at the head of the line had completed payment for his purchases, his pastry, and some breakfast items, It seemed to me I heard the cashier tell him a wonderful day. Unusual. Perhaps I’d misheard, or maybe she did say it and used a mocking tone. I wondered if she could even be an ally in my battle with dithering, reflecting my irritation for people who hold up straightforward customers like me.
Advancing next, to third in the queue. The person ahead of our group finished pumping gas with impressive quickness. Once more it happened: “Have a wonderful day.” In fact, it was “may your day be absolutely splendid”. An American? At this location? The pronunciation indicated it, and no British person says to others a wonderful day, or even just a nice day. Highly unusual. It's uncommon to find many Americans visiting this town, and definitely not working in petrol stations or elsewhere.
Now I stood second. Behind a poor older woman engaged in a protracted effort with her basket, her groceries, her wallet and her membership pass. It went on for ever. Once completed, she too received the wish an excellent day. Definitely from the US. I could have confirmed it by making a witty remark to her, to observe that response as they gaze at you, without a smile, and reply with genuine earnest: “That is quite humorous.” However, nothing occurred of a funny comment to say.
In the end, I embraced the genuine warmth – or a mimicry of sincerity, essentially the same as identical in effect – with which she looked straight at me, to my very core, and bid me a wonderful day. I felt better for it. Beneficial indeed.
