For the Checkout Assistant Who Made Me Totally Speechless – My Hat's Off to You

It was a Sunday morning, and I found myself grumpy enough, topping off my mother's vehicle. This was a common fuel stop that also functions as a supermarket, which often leads of joining a queue shoppers with carts of slightly overpriced groceries. This is a dreadful thing to happen when your only desire is to pay for some fuel. Terrible.

I was fourth in the waiting line. There was only person serving, a young woman. A peculiar quality in her demeanor. After the ditherer at the head of the line had completed payment for a cleaning product, his pastry, and his box of eggs, I was certain that I heard the cashier wish him a wonderful day. Unusual. Maybe it was a mistake, or maybe she did say it and meant it ironically. The thought crossed my mind if she might actually be an ally in my battle with dithering, sharing my contempt for those who delay people just getting gas such as myself.

Taking a step forward, now third in line. The next shopper of our line completed her gasoline purchase with impressive quickness. Once more it happened: “Have a wonderful day.” No, actually, it was “may your day be absolutely splendid”. A stateside native? In Stourbridge? Her tone suggested it, and hardly anyone here says to others such a cheerful phrase, or merely a pleasant day. Quite out of place. It's uncommon to find people from America visiting this town, and definitely not employed at gas stations or anywhere else.

I was second now. Following a senior shopper embroiled in a protracted effort with her carryall, her food items, her purse and her loyalty card. The process dragged on. When she was done, she too got told an excellent day. Yes, American for sure. I might have verified it by cracking a joke at the cashier, to see if she did that response when they look at you, stoically, and reply with genuine earnest: “You are very amusing.” But I couldn’t think of a jest to say.

Ultimately, I accepted the heartfelt tone – or a mimicry of sincerity, essentially the same as identical in effect – while she stared straight at me, piercingly, and wished me a wonderful day. It improved my mood. Beneficial indeed.