For the Store Clerk Who Made Me Totally Speechless – I Salute You
This occurred on a Sunday morning, and I found myself sufficiently irritable, topping off my mum’s car. It was one of those petrol stations that also functions as a grocery store, which often leads of joining a queue people bearing baskets of pricey provisions. A terrible fate to occur when your only desire is to pay for some fuel. Terrible.
I was fourth among those waiting. There was only cashier operating, a youthful clerk. A peculiar quality to her presence. After the ditherer at the front of the queue had completed payment for his Viakal, his pastry, and a carton of eggs, I was certain that I heard the cashier tell him an excellent day. Unusual. Perhaps I’d misheard, or possibly she uttered it and was being sarcastic. The thought crossed my mind if she could even be a comrade in my fight against faff, echoing my disdain for individuals slowing down people just getting gas including me.
I moved up, to third in the queue. The next shopper of our line finished pumping gas with notable efficiency. Once more it happened: “Wishing you a marvelous day.” No, actually, it was “have a wonderful day”. An American? Here in Stourbridge? Her tone suggested it, and few locals wishes anyone such a cheerful phrase, or merely a pleasant day. Highly unusual. Rarely does one encounter people from America frequenting this area, and definitely not working in petrol stations or elsewhere.
Now I stood second. After an elderly lady dealing with a protracted effort with her carryall, her purchases, her handbag and her membership pass. It went on for ever. Once completed, the woman also got told to have a fantastic day. Clearly an American. I might have verified it by making a witty remark to her, to see if she did that reaction as they gaze at you, unsmilingly, and reply with genuine earnest: “You are very amusing.” But I couldn’t think of a jest to utter.
I just had to settle the heartfelt tone – or a performance of it, essentially the same as the same thing – as she gazed directly into my eyes, piercingly, and told me a wonderful day. It improved my mood. Beneficial indeed.
