Addressing the Cashier That Left Me Totally Without Words – My Hat's Off to You
The scene was a Sunday morning, and I felt in a foul mood, topping off my mum’s car. The location was one of those petrol stations that doubles as a convenience store, so you run the risk of ending up in line customers carrying goods of somewhat expensive items. A terrible fate to occur when the sole aim is to complete a simple refueling. Awful.
Fourth in line I stood in the queue. A single person serving, a youthful clerk. A peculiar quality in her demeanor. After the ditherer at the first position had completed payment for his purchases, his pastry, and a carton of eggs, I was certain I heard the cashier bid him an excellent day. Strange. Maybe it was a mistake, or possibly she uttered it and was being sarcastic. I wondered if she could even be an ally in the war on delays, sharing my contempt for people who hold up people just getting gas like me.
Taking a step forward, now third in line. The person ahead of the queue completed her gasoline purchase with impressive quickness. And there it was again: “I hope you have a fantastic day.” In fact, it was “enjoy a truly great day”. An American? In Stourbridge? Her tone suggested it, and hardly anyone here says to others a wonderful day, or even just a nice day. Quite out of place. Rarely does one encounter people from America frequenting this area, and definitely not employed at gas stations or anywhere else.
Now I stood second. After an elderly lady embroiled in a lengthy struggle with her shopping cart, her groceries, her wallet and her membership pass. It went on for ever. After she finished, she too received the wish to have a fantastic day. Yes, American for sure. I might have verified it by making a witty remark in her direction, to check for that reaction as they gaze at you, unsmilingly, and reply with genuine earnest: “You are very amusing.” However, nothing occurred of a jest to say.
Ultimately, I accepted for the absolute sincerity – or a mimicry of sincerity, that equates to the same thing – as she gazed directly into my eyes, deep into my soul, and wished me to have a great day. I felt better for it. Beneficial indeed.
