To the Checkout Assistant Who Left Me Completely Speechless – Kudos to You
The scene was a weekend morning, and I felt in a foul mood, filling up my mum’s car. This was a typical gas station that doubles as a convenience store, which often leads of waiting behind people bearing baskets of slightly overpriced groceries. It's an awful situation to happen when your only desire is to get gasoline and leave. Dreadful.
I was fourth in the waiting line. A single person serving, a female attendant. There was something unusual about her. Once the slowpoke at the head of the line had finally paid for his Viakal, his sausage roll, and some breakfast items, I was certain that I heard the cashier tell him to have a great day. Unusual. Perhaps I’d misheard, or maybe she did say it and meant it ironically. I pondered if she might actually be a comrade in my fight against faff, echoing my disdain for people who hold up straightforward customers including me.
Advancing next, to third in the queue. The person ahead of our group finished pumping gas with impressive quickness. Again, the phrase came: “Have a wonderful day.” No, actually, it was “enjoy a truly great day”. An American? In Stourbridge? She had the accent, and no British person wishes anyone such a cheerful phrase, or merely a pleasant day. Highly unusual. You don’t get people from America frequenting this area, least of all employed at gas stations or anywhere else.
I was second now. After an elderly lady embroiled in a lengthy struggle with her basket, her groceries, her wallet and her rewards card. It went on for ever. When she was done, she as well was wished to have a fantastic day. Clearly an American. Confirming it was possible by cracking a joke in her direction, to see if she did that thing as they gaze at you, stoically, and say with absolute sincerity: “You are very amusing.” Yet no idea came of a jest to utter.
Ultimately, I accepted the genuine warmth – or an impersonation of it, essentially the same as no different – as she gazed straight at me, deep into my soul, and wished me an awesome day. My spirits lifted. Beneficial indeed.
