To the Store Clerk Who Made Me Absolutely Speechless – My Hat's Off to You
The scene was a weekend morning, and I was grumpy enough, refueling the family car. It was one of those petrol stations that operates as a grocery store, meaning there's a chance of joining a queue shoppers with carts of slightly overpriced groceries. This is a dreadful thing to unfold when the sole aim is to get gasoline and leave. Awful.
I was fourth in the waiting line. There was only employee working, a young woman. A peculiar quality about her. When the faffer at the head of the line had finally paid for a cleaning product, a baked snack, and a carton of eggs, I was certain that I heard the cashier tell him a wonderful day. Strange. Perhaps I’d misheard, or maybe she did say it and used a mocking tone. I pondered if perhaps she was a comrade in my fight against faff, reflecting my irritation for individuals slowing down simple fuel-buyers like me.
Advancing next, now third in line. The next shopper of the queue finished pumping gas with commendable speed. Again, the phrase came: “Wishing you a marvelous day.” In fact, it was “enjoy a truly great day”. Someone from the US? At this location? The pronunciation indicated it, and few locals says to others a wonderful day, or simply a good day. Very rare. It's uncommon to find people from America frequenting this area, least of all holding jobs in fueling spots or anywhere else.
Now I stood second. Following a senior shopper engaged in a protracted effort with her basket, her groceries, her purse and her membership pass. It went on for ever. After she finished, she too got told to have a fantastic day. Definitely from the US. I might have verified it by saying something hilarious in her direction, to observe that reaction their typical stare, without a smile, and reply with genuine earnest: “That’s really funny.” Yet no idea came of anything hilarious to say.
In the end, I embraced the heartfelt tone – or a performance of it, which amounts to identical in effect – as she gazed me right in the eye, deep into my soul, and told me a wonderful day. It improved my mood. Beneficial indeed.
