To the Store Clerk Who Made Me Completely Without Words – Kudos to You
It was a day of rest, and I found myself in a foul mood, topping off my mum’s car. This was one of those petrol stations that operates as a convenience store, meaning there's a chance of joining a queue people bearing baskets of somewhat expensive items. This is a dreadful thing to happen when all you want is to get gasoline and leave. Terrible.
My position was fourth among those waiting. A single employee working, a youthful clerk. A peculiar quality in her demeanor. After the ditherer at the front of the queue had completed payment for a cleaning product, a baked snack, and some breakfast items, It seemed to me I heard the cashier wish him to have a great day. Strange. Perhaps I’d misheard, or maybe she did say it and meant it ironically. The thought crossed my mind if perhaps she was a comrade in the war on delays, reflecting my irritation for people who hold up straightforward customers such as myself.
Taking a step forward, now third in line. The person ahead of our group discharged her fuel-only transaction with commendable speed. And there it was again: “I hope you have a fantastic day.” To be precise, it was “have a wonderful day”. Someone from the US? Here in Stourbridge? She had the accent, and hardly anyone here says to others such a cheerful phrase, or simply a good day. Very rare. You don’t get many Americans frequenting this area, certainly not holding jobs in fueling spots or elsewhere.
I was second now. After an elderly lady dealing with a right old battle with her basket, her groceries, her wallet and her rewards card. This took an eternity. After she finished, the woman also got told to have a fantastic day. Yes, American for sure. Confirming it was possible by saying something hilarious in her direction, to see if she did that reaction as they gaze at you, stoically, and say with absolute sincerity: “That’s really funny.” Yet no idea came of a jest to express.
Ultimately, I accepted the genuine warmth – or a performance of it, essentially the same as no different – with which she looked straight at me, to my very core, and bid me a wonderful day. It improved my mood. Beneficial indeed.