For the Checkout Assistant Who Made Me Completely Wordless – I Salute You
It was a Sunday morning, and I was sufficiently irritable, refueling my mum’s car. The location was a common fuel stop that doubles as a grocery store, meaning there's a chance of waiting behind people bearing baskets of pricey provisions. A terrible fate to happen when the sole aim is to get gasoline and leave. Dreadful.
I was fourth in the queue. There was only cashier operating, a female attendant. There was something unusual 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 was certain that I heard the cashier bid him a wonderful day. Strange. Maybe it was a mistake, or possibly she uttered it and used a mocking tone. The thought crossed my mind if she could even be a comrade in my fight against faff, reflecting my irritation for people who hold up simple fuel-buyers such as myself.
Advancing next, now third in line. The person ahead of our line finished pumping gas with notable efficiency. Again, the phrase came: “I hope you have a fantastic day.” In fact, it was “have a wonderful day”. Someone from the US? At this location? The pronunciation indicated it, and no British person says to others a wonderful day, or merely a pleasant day. Highly unusual. You don’t get US citizens visiting this town, and definitely not holding jobs in fueling spots or other places.
Now I stood second. After an elderly lady dealing with a protracted effort with her shopping cart, her groceries, her wallet and her rewards card. This took an eternity. After she finished, she as well got told a wonderful day. Definitely from the US. I could have confirmed it by saying something hilarious in her direction, to see if she did that response their typical stare, without a smile, and say with absolute sincerity: “That is quite humorous.” However, nothing occurred of anything hilarious to utter.
Ultimately, I accepted for the absolute sincerity – or a mimicry of sincerity, which amounts to no different – as she gazed me right in the eye, piercingly, and told me to have a great day. I felt better for it. Beneficial indeed.
