To the Checkout Assistant Who Made Me Absolutely Speechless – I Salute You
It was a day of rest, and I found myself sufficiently irritable, topping off the family car. It was a typical gas station that doubles as a grocery store, so you run the risk of waiting behind people bearing baskets of pricey provisions. It's an awful situation to occur when all you want is to complete a simple refueling. Terrible.
Fourth in line I stood in the queue. A single cashier operating, a youthful clerk. Something stood out in her demeanor. Once the slowpoke at the head of the line had finally paid for his purchases, his pastry, and his box of eggs, It seemed to me I heard the cashier bid him to have a great day. Odd. Could be I misunderstood, or perhaps she spoke and used a mocking tone. The thought crossed my mind if perhaps she was a comrade in my fight against faff, echoing my disdain for people who hold up simple fuel-buyers such as myself.
Taking a step forward, becoming the third customer. The person ahead of our group completed her gasoline purchase with impressive quickness. And there it was again: “I hope you have a fantastic day.” No, actually, it was “have a wonderful day”. A stateside native? At this location? The pronunciation indicated it, and no British person tells people a wonderful day, or merely a pleasant day. Highly unusual. Rarely does one encounter US citizens visiting this town, certainly not holding jobs in fueling spots or other places.
I was second now. Behind a poor older woman dealing with a right old battle with her shopping cart, her purchases, her purse and her rewards card. The process dragged on. When she was done, the woman also was wished an excellent day. Yes, American for sure. I might have verified it by cracking a joke in her direction, to check for that reaction their typical stare, unsmilingly, and say with absolute sincerity: “That is quite humorous.” Yet no idea came of a funny comment to utter.
Ultimately, I accepted the heartfelt tone – or an impersonation of it, which amounts to identical in effect – as she gazed directly into my eyes, piercingly, and told me a wonderful day. It improved my mood. It was a good thing.
