Addressing the Store Clerk Who Made Me Absolutely Without Words – Kudos to You

It was a weekend morning, and I felt grumpy enough, refueling my mum’s car. This was a common fuel stop that doubles as a convenience store, which often leads of waiting behind people bearing baskets of slightly overpriced groceries. This is a dreadful thing to occur when your only desire is to pay for some fuel. Awful.

My position was fourth in the queue. Just one cashier operating, a young woman. A peculiar quality in her demeanor. Once the slowpoke at the first position had completed payment for his purchases, his sausage roll, and his box of eggs, I could have sworn that I heard the cashier tell him a wonderful day. Strange. Maybe it was a mistake, or possibly she uttered it and was being sarcastic. The thought crossed my mind if perhaps she was a comrade in the war on delays, echoing my disdain for people who hold up simple fuel-buyers including me.

Advancing next, now third in line. The new leader of our group discharged her fuel-only transaction with commendable speed. Again, the phrase came: “Have a wonderful day.” In fact, it was “have a wonderful day”. A stateside native? In Stourbridge? The pronunciation indicated it, and few locals says to others a wonderful day, or even just a nice day. Highly unusual. It's uncommon to find many Americans visiting this town, certainly not holding jobs in fueling spots or anywhere else.

Second in line at last. Following a senior shopper dealing with a right old battle with her carryall, her food items, her handbag and her loyalty card. It went on for ever. After she finished, she as well received the wish to have a fantastic day. Definitely from the US. I might have verified it by saying something hilarious to her, to see if she did that thing their typical stare, stoically, and state very earnestly: “That is quite humorous.” Yet no idea came of a funny comment to express.

In the end, I embraced for the absolute sincerity – or a performance of it, which amounts to no different – as she gazed me right in the eye, piercingly, and told me to have a great day. It improved my mood. It was a good thing.