Addressing the Checkout Assistant That Made Me Absolutely Speechless – My Hat's Off to You
It was a Sunday morning, and I felt sufficiently irritable, topping off my mum’s car. This was a typical gas station that doubles as a grocery store, meaning there's a chance of ending up in line people bearing baskets of somewhat expensive items. A terrible fate to unfold when the sole aim is to get gasoline and leave. Terrible.
Fourth in line I stood in the waiting line. There was only cashier operating, a youthful clerk. There was something unusual in her demeanor. After the ditherer at the front of the queue had completed payment for a cleaning product, his sausage roll, and his box of eggs, I could have sworn that I heard the cashier bid him a wonderful day. Unusual. Could be I misunderstood, or maybe she did say it and used a mocking tone. I pondered if she could even be a supporter in my battle with dithering, sharing my contempt for people who hold up people just getting gas like me.
I moved up, becoming the third customer. The new leader of the queue finished pumping gas with impressive quickness. And there it was again: “Wishing you a marvelous day.” In fact, it was “have a wonderful day”. A stateside native? At this location? Her tone suggested it, and no British person says to others a wonderful day, or even just a nice day. Quite out of place. You don’t get many Americans knocking around Stourbridge, certainly not employed at gas stations or anywhere else.
Second in line at last. After an elderly lady engaged in a right old battle with her carryall, her purchases, her wallet and her rewards card. This took an eternity. When she was done, the woman also was wished to have a fantastic day. Yes, American for sure. Confirming it was possible by making a witty remark at the cashier, to check for that response when they look at you, unsmilingly, and state very earnestly: “That is quite humorous.” Yet no idea came of a jest to express.
In the end, I embraced for the absolute sincerity – or a performance of it, essentially the same as identical in effect – with which she looked me right in the eye, piercingly, and bid me a wonderful day. My spirits lifted. Beneficial indeed.
