For the Cashier Who Made Me Completely Wordless – Kudos to You

This occurred on a day of rest, and I felt sufficiently irritable, filling up my mother's vehicle. This was one of those petrol stations that doubles as a supermarket, which often leads of ending up in line shoppers with carts of somewhat expensive items. It's an awful situation to unfold when all you want is to pay for some fuel. Dreadful.

I was fourth in the waiting line. Just one employee working, a youthful clerk. Something stood out in her demeanor. After the ditherer at the front of the queue had at last settled for his Viakal, a baked snack, and some breakfast items, I was certain that I heard the cashier tell him to have a great day. Strange. Maybe it was a mistake, or perhaps she spoke and meant it ironically. I pondered if she could even be a supporter in my battle with dithering, echoing my disdain for individuals slowing down people just getting gas including me.

Advancing next, now third in line. The new leader of the queue finished pumping gas with impressive quickness. Once more it happened: “I hope you have a fantastic day.” No, actually, it was “have a wonderful day”. Someone from the US? In Stourbridge? The pronunciation indicated it, and hardly anyone here says to others those exact words, or even just a nice day. Highly unusual. You don’t get US citizens visiting this town, certainly not working in petrol stations or elsewhere.

Now I stood second. Following a senior shopper dealing with a right old battle with her carryall, her groceries, her wallet and her loyalty card. This took an eternity. When she was done, she too was wished an excellent day. Yes, American for sure. Confirming it was possible by cracking a joke in her direction, to observe that response when they look at you, unsmilingly, and state very earnestly: “That’s really funny.” Yet no idea came of a funny comment to express.

I just had to settle for the absolute sincerity – or a mimicry of sincerity, essentially the same as no different – as she gazed straight at me, piercingly, and bid me a wonderful day. It improved my mood. A positive experience.