Addressing the Checkout Assistant Who Made Me Totally Wordless – My Hat's Off to You
It was a weekend morning, and I felt sufficiently irritable, refueling my mother's vehicle. It was one of those petrol stations that doubles as a supermarket, meaning there's a chance of waiting behind people bearing baskets of slightly overpriced groceries. This is a dreadful thing to occur when the sole aim is to get gasoline and leave. Dreadful.
Fourth in line I stood in the waiting line. There was only cashier operating, a female attendant. A peculiar quality about her. After the ditherer at the head of the line had finally paid for a cleaning product, his sausage roll, and a carton of eggs, It seemed to me overhearing the cashier tell him a wonderful day. Odd. Could be I misunderstood, or perhaps she spoke and was being sarcastic. I wondered if she could even be a comrade in my fight against faff, echoing my disdain for those who delay people just getting gas like me.
Advancing next, to third in the queue. The new leader of our line finished pumping gas with notable efficiency. Once more it happened: “Wishing you a marvelous day.” No, actually, it was “have a wonderful day”. A stateside native? Here in Stourbridge? She had the accent, and no British person says to others a wonderful day, or simply a good day. Very rare. Rarely does one encounter many Americans frequenting this area, certainly not working in petrol stations or anywhere else.
I was second now. Following a senior shopper dealing with a lengthy struggle with her carryall, her groceries, her wallet and her loyalty card. The process dragged on. After she finished, she too received the wish an excellent day. Clearly an American. Confirming it was possible by making a witty remark in her direction, to check for that response when they look at you, stoically, and say with absolute sincerity: “You are very amusing.” Yet no idea came of anything hilarious to express.
In the end, I embraced the genuine warmth – or an impersonation of it, which amounts to the same thing – while she stared straight at me, piercingly, and told me an awesome day. My spirits lifted. Beneficial indeed.
