For the Store Clerk Who Left Me Absolutely Without Words – I Salute You
The scene was a weekend morning, and I felt 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 customers carrying goods of pricey provisions. This is a dreadful thing to occur when the sole aim is to get gasoline and leave. Dreadful.
Fourth in line I stood among those waiting. Just one person serving, a youthful clerk. There was something unusual to her presence. When the faffer at the front of the queue had at last settled for his Viakal, his sausage roll, and some breakfast items, It seemed to me that I heard the cashier tell him to have a great day. Unusual. Maybe it was a mistake, or possibly she uttered it and was being sarcastic. The thought crossed my mind if perhaps she was an ally in my battle with dithering, reflecting my irritation for those who delay people just getting gas like me.
I moved up, to third in the queue. The person ahead of our line discharged her fuel-only transaction with impressive quickness. Once more it happened: “I hope you have a fantastic day.” To be precise, it was “may your day be absolutely splendid”. An American? At this location? Her tone suggested it, and hardly anyone here tells people those exact words, or even just a nice day. Highly unusual. You don’t get many Americans frequenting this area, least of all employed at gas stations or elsewhere.
I was second now. After an elderly lady engaged in a protracted effort with her carryall, her purchases, her handbag and her rewards card. The process dragged on. After she finished, she too got told to have a fantastic day. Yes, American for sure. I could have confirmed it by saying something hilarious to her, to observe that thing when they look at you, unsmilingly, and say with absolute sincerity: “That is quite humorous.” However, nothing occurred of a jest to express.
Ultimately, I accepted the heartfelt tone – or a mimicry of sincerity, which amounts to the same thing – while she stared straight at me, piercingly, and bid me to have a great day. It improved my mood. Beneficial indeed.
