Addressing the Store Clerk Who Made Me Totally Speechless – I Salute You
The scene was a Sunday morning, and I found myself grumpy enough, topping off my mother's vehicle. It was a typical gas station that operates as a supermarket, meaning there's a chance of ending up in line shoppers with carts of slightly overpriced groceries. It's an awful situation to occur when all you want is to pay for some fuel. Dreadful.
I was fourth in the waiting line. A single employee working, a young woman. Something stood out about her. After the ditherer at the front of the queue had at last settled for his Viakal, his sausage roll, and a carton of eggs, It seemed to me I heard the cashier bid him to have a great day. Odd. Perhaps I’d misheard, or possibly she uttered it and meant it ironically. I pondered if she could even be a comrade in my battle with dithering, reflecting my irritation for those who delay simple fuel-buyers including me.
Advancing next, now third in line. The next shopper of the queue discharged her fuel-only transaction with impressive quickness. And there it was again: “Have a wonderful day.” To be precise, it was “have a wonderful day”. An American? At this location? The pronunciation indicated it, and no British person tells people a wonderful day, or even just a nice day. Quite out of place. Rarely does one encounter many Americans visiting this town, least of all employed at gas stations or other places.
I was second now. After an elderly lady embroiled in a right old battle with her carryall, her purchases, her wallet and her loyalty card. The process dragged on. After she finished, she as well was wished to have a fantastic day. Definitely from the US. Confirming it was possible by saying something hilarious at the cashier, to see if she did that response as they gaze at you, stoically, and reply with genuine earnest: “That is quite humorous.” But I couldn’t think of a jest to say.
Ultimately, I accepted the heartfelt tone – or a performance of it, which amounts to the same thing – with which she looked straight at me, deep into my soul, and wished me to have a great day. My spirits lifted. A positive experience.
