For the Store Clerk Who Made Me Absolutely Speechless – Kudos to You
This occurred on a weekend morning, and I was in a foul mood, topping off my mum’s car. It was one of those petrol stations that also functions as a supermarket, meaning there's a chance of joining a queue customers carrying goods of somewhat expensive items. This is a dreadful thing to happen when all you want is to complete a simple refueling. Dreadful.
I was fourth among those waiting. There was only employee working, a young woman. Something stood out to her presence. After the ditherer at the first position had at last settled for a cleaning product, his pastry, and some breakfast items, It seemed to me overhearing the cashier bid him to have a great day. Odd. Could be I misunderstood, or perhaps she spoke and used a mocking tone. I wondered if she could even be an ally in the war on delays, sharing my contempt for people who hold up simple fuel-buyers including me.
I moved up, to third in the queue. The person ahead of the queue completed her gasoline purchase with notable efficiency. Once more it happened: “Wishing you a marvelous day.” To be precise, it was “enjoy a truly great day”. An American? In Stourbridge? The pronunciation indicated it, and few locals tells people such a cheerful phrase, or even just a nice day. Highly unusual. You don’t get people from America frequenting this area, certainly not employed at gas stations or elsewhere.
Now I stood second. Following a senior shopper dealing with a lengthy struggle with her carryall, her food items, her purse and her membership pass. The process dragged on. When she was done, the woman also received the wish to have a fantastic day. Definitely from the US. Confirming it was possible by making a witty remark to her, to see if she did that response when they look at you, unsmilingly, and reply with genuine earnest: “You are very amusing.” But I couldn’t think of a funny comment to express.
In the end, I embraced for the absolute sincerity – or a performance of it, that equates to identical in effect – as she gazed straight at me, piercingly, and told me an awesome day. My spirits lifted. A positive experience.
