Addressing the Store Clerk That Made Me Totally Without Words – My Hat's Off to You
The scene was a weekend morning, and I was grumpy enough, refueling my mother's vehicle. It was a common fuel stop that also functions as a convenience store, so you run the risk of waiting behind customers carrying goods of pricey provisions. A terrible fate to unfold when your only desire is to pay for some fuel. Terrible.
My position was fourth in the waiting line. A single employee working, a female attendant. Something stood out to her presence. Once the slowpoke at the first position had completed payment for a cleaning product, his sausage roll, and a carton of eggs, It seemed to me I heard the cashier bid him an excellent day. Odd. Could be I misunderstood, or perhaps she spoke and meant it ironically. I wondered if she might actually be an ally in my battle with dithering, echoing my disdain for people who hold up people just getting gas like me.
I moved up, becoming the third customer. The person ahead of our line discharged her fuel-only transaction with impressive quickness. And there it was again: “Have a wonderful day.” To be precise, it was “may your day be absolutely splendid”. An American? In Stourbridge? The pronunciation indicated it, and hardly anyone here says to others such a cheerful phrase, or simply a good day. Quite out of place. It's uncommon to find people from America frequenting this area, and definitely not employed at gas stations or anywhere else.
Second in line at last. Behind a poor older woman engaged in a protracted effort with her shopping cart, her groceries, her wallet and her loyalty card. This took an eternity. When she was done, she too was wished to have a fantastic day. Clearly an American. Confirming it was possible by saying something hilarious at the cashier, to check for that reaction their typical stare, without a smile, and say with absolute sincerity: “You are very amusing.” Yet no idea came of a funny comment to utter.
In the end, I embraced for the absolute sincerity – or a mimicry of sincerity, essentially the same as the same thing – with which she looked directly into my eyes, piercingly, and wished me to have a great day. I felt better for it. Beneficial indeed.
