To the Checkout Assistant That Made Me Absolutely Speechless – My Hat's Off to You
This occurred on a day of rest, and I was sufficiently irritable, topping off my mum’s car. The location was a typical gas station that doubles as a convenience store, which often leads of joining a queue customers carrying goods of pricey provisions. This is a dreadful thing to occur when all you want is to pay for some fuel. Awful.
My position was fourth among those waiting. A single employee working, a female attendant. There was something unusual to her presence. After the ditherer at the first position had finally paid for his purchases, his sausage roll, and some breakfast items, I was certain I heard the cashier tell him an excellent day. Odd. Perhaps I’d misheard, or maybe she did say it and meant it ironically. The thought crossed my mind if perhaps she was a supporter in my fight against faff, echoing my disdain for people who hold up straightforward customers like me.
Advancing next, becoming the third customer. The new leader of our group finished pumping gas with impressive quickness. And there it was again: “Wishing you a marvelous day.” To be precise, it was “enjoy a truly great day”. Someone from the US? At this location? She had the accent, and no British person tells people such a cheerful phrase, or even just a nice day. Highly unusual. It's uncommon to find many Americans frequenting this area, certainly not employed at gas stations or anywhere else.
Second in line at last. After an elderly lady embroiled in a protracted effort with her carryall, her groceries, her handbag and her membership pass. The process dragged on. After she finished, she too got told an excellent day. Definitely from the US. I might have verified it by saying something hilarious in her direction, to see if she did that response their typical stare, stoically, and state very earnestly: “That is quite humorous.” Yet no idea came of a jest to express.
In the end, I embraced the heartfelt tone – or a mimicry of sincerity, which amounts to identical in effect – as she gazed directly into my eyes, piercingly, and bid me an awesome day. I felt better for it. A positive experience.
