To the Store Clerk That Left Me Totally Wordless – I Salute You
The scene was a weekend morning, and I felt in a foul mood, filling up the family car. This was one of those petrol stations that doubles as a convenience store, which often leads of ending up in line shoppers with carts of slightly overpriced groceries. This is a dreadful thing to occur when your only desire is to get gasoline and leave. Terrible.
My position was fourth among those waiting. There was only employee working, a young woman. A peculiar quality about her. When the faffer at the head of the line had at last settled for his purchases, his sausage roll, and his box of eggs, I could have sworn overhearing the cashier wish him a wonderful day. Strange. Could be I misunderstood, or perhaps she spoke and used a mocking tone. I wondered if she might actually be a supporter in my fight against faff, echoing my disdain for those who delay people just getting gas like me.
Taking a step forward, becoming the third customer. The person ahead of the queue finished pumping gas with notable efficiency. Again, the phrase came: “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 says to others those exact words, or merely a pleasant day. Quite out of place. You don’t get people from America visiting this town, and definitely not working in petrol stations or elsewhere.
I was second now. Following a senior shopper dealing with a right old battle with her carryall, her food items, her handbag and her rewards card. It went on for ever. After she finished, she as well was wished to have a fantastic day. Definitely from the US. Confirming it was possible by cracking a joke to her, to see if she did that response their typical stare, stoically, and reply with genuine earnest: “You are very amusing.” Yet no idea came of anything hilarious to utter.
In the end, I embraced the genuine warmth – or an impersonation of it, that equates to the same thing – while she stared directly into my eyes, deep into my soul, and wished me to have a great day. It improved my mood. It was a good thing.
