Addressing the Store Clerk That Made Me Totally Wordless – I Salute You
This occurred on a day of rest, and I felt in a foul mood, filling up my mother's vehicle. This was a common fuel stop that operates as a supermarket, so you run the risk of ending up in line customers carrying goods of slightly overpriced groceries. This is a dreadful thing to happen when the sole aim is to get gasoline and leave. Dreadful.
I was fourth in the queue. Just one cashier operating, a female attendant. Something stood out about her. Once the slowpoke at the head of the line had at last settled for his Viakal, his pastry, and some breakfast items, I was certain I heard the cashier wish him to have a great day. Odd. Perhaps I’d misheard, or possibly she uttered it and meant it ironically. I wondered if she could even be a supporter in my fight against faff, sharing my contempt for people who hold up people just getting gas like me.
Advancing next, becoming the third customer. The new leader of the queue finished pumping gas with notable efficiency. And there it was again: “Have a wonderful day.” To be precise, it was “have a wonderful day”. An American? In Stourbridge? Her tone suggested it, and hardly anyone here wishes anyone those exact words, or simply a good day. Very rare. You don’t get people from America frequenting this area, least of all holding jobs in fueling spots or elsewhere.
I was second now. After an elderly lady dealing with a protracted effort with her basket, her purchases, her wallet and her membership pass. The process dragged on. When she was done, she as well was wished a wonderful day. Definitely from the US. I could have confirmed it by cracking a joke to her, to see if she did that thing their typical stare, unsmilingly, and say with absolute sincerity: “That is quite humorous.” However, nothing occurred of anything hilarious to express.
I just had to settle for the absolute sincerity – or a performance of it, essentially the same as no different – while she stared me right in the eye, piercingly, and bid me an awesome day. My spirits lifted. A positive experience.
