Addressing the Cashier That Made Me Absolutely Wordless – Kudos to You
It was a weekend morning, and I felt in a foul mood, topping off the family car. The location was one of those petrol stations that also functions as a grocery store, so you run the risk of joining a queue customers carrying goods of slightly overpriced groceries. A terrible fate to happen when the sole aim is to complete a simple refueling. Awful.
Fourth in line I stood among those waiting. Just one person serving, a young woman. A peculiar quality to her presence. When the faffer at the first position had finally paid for his Viakal, a baked snack, and a carton of eggs, It seemed to me I heard the cashier bid him to have a great day. Strange. Maybe it was a mistake, or possibly she uttered it and was being sarcastic. The thought crossed my mind if she could even be a comrade in the war on delays, echoing my disdain for individuals slowing down people just getting gas such as myself.
Advancing next, to third in the queue. The new leader of our line completed her gasoline purchase with commendable speed. And there it was again: “Have a wonderful day.” In fact, it was “enjoy a truly great day”. An American? In Stourbridge? Her tone suggested it, and hardly anyone here wishes anyone such a cheerful phrase, or merely a pleasant day. Highly unusual. It's uncommon to find people from America knocking around Stourbridge, and definitely not employed at gas stations or other places.
Second in line at last. After an elderly lady embroiled in a right old battle with her basket, her food items, her purse and her membership pass. This took an eternity. After she finished, the woman also was wished to have a fantastic day. Clearly an American. I could have confirmed it by making a witty remark at the cashier, to see if she did that reaction when they look at you, stoically, and reply with genuine earnest: “That’s really funny.” However, nothing occurred of a funny comment to say.
Ultimately, I accepted the genuine warmth – or a mimicry of sincerity, that equates to the same thing – with which she looked me right in the eye, to my very core, and wished me to have a great day. It improved my mood. It was a good thing.
