Addressing the Store Clerk Who Made Me Totally Without Words – I Salute You
It was a day of rest, and I was in a foul mood, refueling my mum’s car. The location was a common fuel stop that doubles as a convenience store, so you run the risk of waiting behind customers carrying goods of pricey provisions. This is a dreadful thing to unfold when the sole aim is to pay for some fuel. Awful.
Fourth in line I stood in the waiting line. Just one employee working, a youthful clerk. Something stood out to her presence. Once the slowpoke at the front of the queue had finally paid for his Viakal, his sausage roll, and some breakfast items, I could have sworn that I heard the cashier bid him an excellent day. Odd. Perhaps I’d misheard, or maybe she did say it and used a mocking tone. I wondered if she could even be a comrade in my battle with dithering, reflecting my irritation for people who hold up straightforward customers such as myself.
Taking a step forward, now third in line. The person ahead of the queue completed her gasoline purchase with impressive quickness. Once more it happened: “I hope you have a fantastic day.” To be precise, it was “have a wonderful day”. Someone from the US? At this location? She had the accent, and no British person says to others such a cheerful phrase, or simply a good day. Quite out of place. It's uncommon to find people from America visiting this town, least of all working in petrol stations or other places.
Now I stood second. Following a senior shopper engaged in a right old battle with her basket, her purchases, her purse and her loyalty card. It went on for ever. Once completed, she too was wished a wonderful day. Definitely from the US. I could have confirmed it by making a witty remark at the cashier, to observe that reaction their typical stare, stoically, and say with absolute sincerity: “That’s really funny.” However, nothing occurred of anything hilarious to say.
I just had to settle the genuine warmth – or an impersonation of it, that equates to identical in effect – with which she looked directly into my eyes, to my very core, and told me a wonderful day. My spirits lifted. It was a good thing.
