For the Checkout Assistant That Left Me Absolutely Wordless – Kudos to You
It was a day of rest, and I felt sufficiently irritable, filling up the family car. The location was one of those petrol stations that doubles as a supermarket, which often leads of joining a queue shoppers with carts of pricey provisions. It's an awful situation to happen when all you want is to pay for some fuel. Awful.
I was fourth among those waiting. There was only employee working, a youthful clerk. A peculiar quality to her presence. When the faffer at the first position had at last settled for a cleaning product, a baked snack, and his box of eggs, I could have sworn that I heard the cashier bid him an excellent day. Strange. Perhaps I’d misheard, or perhaps she spoke and meant it ironically. I pondered if perhaps she was a supporter in the war on delays, echoing my disdain for individuals slowing down people just getting gas such as myself.
I moved up, to third in the queue. The new leader of our group discharged her fuel-only transaction with notable efficiency. And there it was again: “Wishing you a marvelous day.” No, actually, it was “have a wonderful day”. An American? At this location? The pronunciation indicated it, and hardly anyone here wishes anyone such a cheerful phrase, or even just a nice day. Very rare. Rarely does one encounter many Americans frequenting this area, least of all holding jobs in fueling spots or elsewhere.
Now I stood second. After an elderly lady embroiled in a right old battle with her carryall, her groceries, her handbag and her membership pass. This took an eternity. When she was done, she too was wished to have a fantastic day. Clearly an American. Confirming it was possible by saying something hilarious at the cashier, to see if she did that reaction their typical stare, without a smile, and say with absolute sincerity: “That is quite humorous.” Yet no idea came of a jest to say.
I just had to settle for the absolute sincerity – or a performance of it, essentially the same as identical in effect – with which she looked directly into my eyes, to my very core, and told me a wonderful day. It improved my mood. It was a good thing.
