To the Cashier Who Left Me Completely Wordless – I Salute You
The scene was a Sunday morning, and I was sufficiently irritable, filling up my mum’s car. This was a common fuel stop that operates as a grocery store, so you run the risk of ending up in line customers carrying goods of slightly overpriced groceries. It's an awful situation to occur when the sole aim is to get gasoline and leave. Awful.
Fourth in line I stood in the waiting line. There was only employee working, a young woman. A peculiar quality about her. Once the slowpoke at the first position had finally paid for his Viakal, his sausage roll, and his box of eggs, It seemed to me overhearing the cashier bid him to have a great day. Unusual. Could be I misunderstood, or perhaps she spoke and was being sarcastic. I wondered if she could even be a comrade in my fight against faff, sharing my contempt for people who hold up simple fuel-buyers like me.
I moved up, to third in the queue. The next shopper of our line discharged her fuel-only transaction with commendable speed. And there it was again: “I hope you have a fantastic day.” No, actually, it was “may your day be absolutely splendid”. An American? Here in Stourbridge? Her tone suggested it, and hardly anyone here wishes anyone such a cheerful phrase, or even just a nice day. Quite out of place. Rarely does one encounter many Americans visiting this town, and definitely not employed at gas stations or elsewhere.
Now I stood second. After an elderly lady embroiled in a lengthy struggle with her basket, her purchases, her handbag and her rewards card. The process dragged on. When she was done, she too received the wish an excellent day. Clearly an American. I could have confirmed it by saying something hilarious to her, to observe that thing when they look at you, stoically, and reply with genuine earnest: “That is quite humorous.” But I couldn’t think of a jest to say.
I just had to settle for the absolute sincerity – or an impersonation of it, which amounts to the same thing – with which she looked directly into my eyes, piercingly, and bid me an awesome day. It improved my mood. Beneficial indeed.
