Addressing the Store Clerk That Left Me Totally Without Words – I Salute You
It was a day of rest, and I found myself in a foul mood, refueling the family car. This was a typical gas station that operates as a supermarket, meaning there's a chance of ending up in line people bearing baskets of pricey provisions. A terrible fate to unfold when all you want is to get gasoline and leave. Dreadful.
My position was fourth among those waiting. Just one employee working, a female attendant. There was something unusual to her presence. After the ditherer at the first position had at last settled for his purchases, his pastry, and a carton of eggs, It seemed to me I heard the cashier wish him a wonderful day. Odd. Perhaps I’d misheard, or maybe she did say it and was being sarcastic. I pondered if she might actually be a comrade in my fight against faff, sharing my contempt for those who delay straightforward customers including me.
Advancing next, becoming the third customer. The person ahead of our group completed her gasoline purchase with notable efficiency. Again, the phrase came: “Wishing you a marvelous day.” No, actually, it was “have a wonderful day”. Someone from the US? Here in Stourbridge? She had the accent, and hardly anyone here says to others those exact words, or simply a good day. Very rare. It's uncommon to find people from America knocking around Stourbridge, least of all employed at gas stations or anywhere else.
Now I stood second. After an elderly lady dealing with a protracted effort with her shopping cart, her purchases, her handbag and her loyalty card. The process dragged on. When she was done, she too was wished a wonderful day. Clearly an American. Confirming it was possible by cracking a joke to her, to check for that thing their typical stare, unsmilingly, and reply with genuine earnest: “That’s really funny.” Yet no idea came of anything hilarious to say.
In the end, I embraced for the absolute sincerity – or a performance of it, essentially the same as no different – with which she looked directly into my eyes, to my very core, and wished me to have a great day. I felt better for it. It was a good thing.
