Addressing the Store Clerk That Made Me Absolutely Without Words – Kudos to You
It was a weekend morning, and I was in a foul mood, topping off my mum’s car. The location was one of those petrol stations that also functions as a supermarket, so you run the risk of waiting behind people bearing baskets of somewhat expensive items. It's an awful situation to unfold when your only desire is to get gasoline and leave. Dreadful.
I was fourth in the queue. There was only person serving, a youthful clerk. There was something unusual in her demeanor. Once the slowpoke at the head of the line had completed payment for a cleaning product, his sausage roll, and his box of eggs, I could have sworn I heard the cashier bid him a wonderful day. Unusual. Maybe it was a mistake, or possibly she uttered it and was being sarcastic. The thought crossed my mind if she could even be an ally in the war on delays, echoing my disdain for those who delay simple fuel-buyers such as myself.
I moved up, to third in the queue. The person ahead of the queue discharged her fuel-only transaction with notable efficiency. Again, the phrase came: “I hope you have a fantastic day.” In fact, it was “enjoy a truly great day”. Someone from the US? At this location? Her tone suggested it, and no British person says to others those exact words, or merely a pleasant day. Quite out of place. You don’t get US citizens frequenting this area, certainly not working in petrol stations or anywhere else.
I was second now. Following a senior shopper dealing with a protracted effort with her shopping cart, her food items, her wallet and her rewards card. The process dragged on. Once completed, the woman also was wished to have a fantastic day. Definitely from the US. I might have verified it by saying something hilarious at the cashier, to check for that thing when they look at you, unsmilingly, and state very earnestly: “That is quite humorous.” Yet no idea came of a jest to say.
In the end, I embraced for the absolute sincerity – or an impersonation of it, that equates to identical in effect – as she gazed directly into my eyes, piercingly, and told me an awesome day. It improved my mood. Beneficial indeed.
