Addressing the Cashier That Left Me Absolutely Wordless – My Hat's Off to You
The scene was a Sunday morning, and I was grumpy enough, topping off my mum’s car. The location was one of those petrol stations that doubles as a supermarket, meaning there's a chance of joining a queue shoppers with carts of somewhat expensive items. A terrible fate to happen when your only desire is to pay for some fuel. Terrible.
I was fourth in the queue. There was only cashier operating, a youthful clerk. Something stood out about her. Once the slowpoke at the head of the line had completed payment for a cleaning product, his pastry, and a carton of eggs, It seemed to me overhearing the cashier wish him a wonderful day. Strange. Perhaps I’d misheard, or possibly she uttered it and used a mocking tone. I pondered if perhaps she was an ally in the war on delays, reflecting my irritation for people who hold up straightforward customers including me.
I moved up, to third in the queue. The person ahead of our line finished pumping gas with commendable speed. Once more it happened: “Wishing you a marvelous day.” In fact, it was “have a wonderful day”. A stateside native? In Stourbridge? Her tone suggested it, and hardly anyone here tells people a wonderful day, or merely a pleasant day. Highly unusual. You don’t get US citizens knocking around Stourbridge, and definitely not holding jobs in fueling spots or elsewhere.
Second in line at last. Following a senior shopper engaged in a protracted effort with her shopping cart, her purchases, her wallet and her loyalty card. It went on for ever. When she was done, she as well got told to have a fantastic day. Clearly an American. Confirming it was possible by saying something hilarious in her direction, to check for that reaction their typical stare, unsmilingly, and reply with genuine earnest: “You are very amusing.” But I couldn’t think of a funny comment to utter.
I just had to settle the heartfelt tone – or a performance of it, which amounts to the same thing – as she gazed directly into my eyes, piercingly, and told me to have a great day. It improved my mood. It was a good thing.
