To the Checkout Assistant That Left Me Absolutely Without Words – I Salute You
It was a weekend morning, and I was in a foul mood, refueling my mother's vehicle. This was a typical gas station that doubles as a supermarket, which often leads of ending up in line shoppers with carts of somewhat expensive items. A terrible fate to occur when your only desire is to complete a simple refueling. Awful.
Fourth in line I stood in the queue. A single employee working, a female attendant. Something stood out in her demeanor. After the ditherer at the front of the queue had finally paid for his Viakal, his sausage roll, and his box of eggs, I was certain that I heard the cashier wish him a wonderful day. Strange. Perhaps I’d misheard, or maybe she did say it and was being sarcastic. I pondered if perhaps she was a comrade in my fight against faff, reflecting my irritation for those who delay simple fuel-buyers such as myself.
I moved up, becoming the third customer. The person ahead of our group discharged her fuel-only transaction with commendable speed. Once more it happened: “I hope you have a fantastic day.” To be precise, it was “enjoy a truly great day”. An American? In Stourbridge? Her tone suggested it, and hardly anyone here wishes anyone a wonderful day, or even just a nice day. Quite out of place. You don’t get people from America visiting this town, certainly not holding jobs in fueling spots or elsewhere.
Now I stood second. After an elderly lady dealing with a lengthy struggle with her shopping cart, her purchases, her handbag and her rewards card. The process dragged on. When she was done, she too got told a wonderful day. Definitely from the US. I could have confirmed it by saying something hilarious at the cashier, to check for that reaction as they gaze at you, without a smile, and say with absolute sincerity: “You are very amusing.” But I couldn’t think of a jest to say.
Ultimately, I accepted the genuine warmth – or an impersonation of it, that equates to no different – as she gazed directly into my eyes, piercingly, and wished me an awesome day. My spirits lifted. It was a good thing.
