To the Store Clerk That Left Me Completely Wordless – I Salute You
The scene was a day of rest, and I was grumpy enough, refueling the family car. This was one of those petrol stations that also functions as a convenience store, meaning there's a chance of joining a queue people bearing baskets of somewhat expensive items. A terrible fate to occur when the sole aim is to get gasoline and leave. Dreadful.
Fourth in line I stood among those waiting. Just one cashier operating, a female attendant. A peculiar quality about her. Once the slowpoke at the head of the line had finally paid for his purchases, his sausage roll, and his box of eggs, I could have sworn I heard the cashier bid him an excellent day. Odd. Perhaps I’d misheard, or perhaps she spoke and used a mocking tone. I pondered if she might actually be an ally in my fight against faff, reflecting my irritation for people who hold up straightforward customers including me.
Taking a step forward, now third in line. The new leader of the queue finished pumping gas with impressive quickness. Once more it happened: “Wishing you a marvelous day.” To be precise, it was “may your day be absolutely splendid”. Someone from the US? Here in Stourbridge? Her tone suggested it, and no British person wishes anyone such a cheerful phrase, or even just a nice day. Quite out of place. Rarely does one encounter people from America visiting this town, and definitely not working in petrol stations or anywhere else.
Now I stood second. After an elderly lady dealing with a right old battle with her basket, her groceries, her handbag and her loyalty card. This took an eternity. When she was done, she too got told to have a fantastic day. Yes, American for sure. I might have verified it by cracking a joke to her, to observe that response their typical stare, without a smile, and say with absolute sincerity: “That’s really funny.” Yet no idea came of a jest to say.
Ultimately, I accepted for the absolute sincerity – or a performance of it, essentially the same as no different – with which she looked directly into my eyes, deep into my soul, and told me to have a great day. My spirits lifted. Beneficial indeed.