Addressing the Store Clerk Who Made Me Totally Without Words – Kudos to You
It was a weekend morning, and I felt grumpy enough, topping off my mum’s car. The location was one of those petrol stations that doubles as a convenience store, which often leads of waiting behind people bearing baskets of pricey provisions. A terrible fate to occur when all you want is to pay for some fuel. Awful.
I was fourth among those waiting. Just one employee working, a youthful clerk. Something stood out in her demeanor. When the faffer at the first position had finally paid for his purchases, his sausage roll, and a carton of eggs, I could have sworn that I heard the cashier bid him a wonderful day. Odd. Maybe it was a mistake, or perhaps she spoke and meant it ironically. The thought crossed my mind if she might actually be a supporter in my battle with dithering, echoing my disdain for individuals slowing down straightforward customers such as myself.
I moved up, becoming the third customer. The person ahead of our line discharged her fuel-only transaction with impressive quickness. Once more it happened: “Have a wonderful day.” In fact, it was “may your day be absolutely splendid”. Someone from the US? In Stourbridge? She had the accent, and few locals says to others such a cheerful phrase, or merely a pleasant day. Highly unusual. Rarely does one encounter many Americans visiting this town, least of all employed at gas stations or anywhere else.
Now I stood second. Following a senior shopper embroiled in a protracted effort with her basket, her food items, her purse and her membership pass. It went on for ever. When she was done, the woman also received the wish an excellent day. Yes, American for sure. I could have confirmed it by making a witty remark in her direction, to see if she did that thing their typical stare, unsmilingly, and state very earnestly: “That is quite humorous.” However, nothing occurred of a funny comment to utter.
In the end, I embraced the heartfelt tone – or a mimicry of sincerity, that equates to the same thing – as she gazed me right in the eye, piercingly, and bid me an awesome day. It improved my mood. A positive experience.
