To the Cashier Who Left Me Totally Wordless – My Hat's Off to You
The scene was a Sunday morning, and I felt grumpy enough, filling up my mother's vehicle. It was one of those petrol stations that doubles as a grocery store, which often leads of joining a queue people bearing baskets of pricey provisions. It's an awful situation to happen when the sole aim is to pay for some fuel. Awful.
My position was fourth in the waiting line. Just one cashier operating, a youthful clerk. A peculiar quality to her presence. When the faffer at the front of the queue had finally paid for a cleaning product, a baked snack, and some breakfast items, It seemed to me I heard the cashier tell him to have a great day. Odd. Could be I misunderstood, or maybe she did say it and meant it ironically. I wondered if perhaps she was a comrade in my fight against faff, echoing my disdain for individuals slowing down straightforward customers including me.
Taking a step forward, now third in line. The new leader of the queue completed her gasoline purchase with notable efficiency. And there it was again: “I hope you have a fantastic day.” To be precise, it was “may your day be absolutely splendid”. An American? Here in Stourbridge? She had the accent, and no British person tells people such a cheerful phrase, or even just a nice day. Very rare. Rarely does one encounter people from America knocking around Stourbridge, least of all employed at gas stations or elsewhere.
Second in line at last. After an elderly lady embroiled in a right old battle with her basket, her food items, her handbag and her loyalty card. It went on for ever. After she finished, the woman also got told an excellent day. Definitely from the US. I might have verified it by making a witty remark at the cashier, to observe that response their typical stare, unsmilingly, and say with absolute sincerity: “You are very amusing.” Yet no idea came of anything hilarious to express.
I just had to settle for the absolute sincerity – or a mimicry of sincerity, which amounts to no different – while she stared straight at me, deep into my soul, and told me to have a great day. My spirits lifted. Beneficial indeed.
