For the Checkout Assistant Who Left Me Completely Speechless – I Salute You

It was a Sunday morning, and I found myself sufficiently irritable, refueling my mum’s car. This was one of those petrol stations that operates as a supermarket, meaning there's a chance of joining a queue people bearing baskets of slightly overpriced groceries. A terrible fate to occur when all you want is to pay for some fuel. Awful.

I was fourth in the queue. There was only employee working, a young woman. There was something unusual to her presence. After the ditherer at the first position had completed payment for a cleaning product, a baked snack, and his box of eggs, It seemed to me I heard the cashier tell him a wonderful day. Odd. Could be I misunderstood, or possibly she uttered it and used a mocking tone. I pondered if she could even be a supporter in the war on delays, reflecting my irritation for people who hold up straightforward customers such as myself.

Advancing next, to third in the queue. The next shopper of our group finished pumping gas with notable efficiency. Once more it happened: “Have a wonderful day.” In fact, it was “have a wonderful day”. An American? Here in Stourbridge? She had the accent, and hardly anyone here tells people a wonderful day, or merely a pleasant day. Very rare. It's uncommon to find US citizens visiting this town, certainly not working in petrol stations or other places.

Second in line at last. Behind a poor older woman dealing with a protracted effort with her shopping cart, her purchases, her handbag and her loyalty card. The process dragged on. Once completed, the woman also received the wish an excellent day. Yes, American for sure. I might have verified it by making a witty remark at the cashier, to observe that response their typical stare, stoically, and say with absolute sincerity: “You are very amusing.” Yet no idea came of anything hilarious to express.

Ultimately, I accepted for the absolute sincerity – or a performance of it, that equates to no different – while she stared me right in the eye, deep into my soul, and told me to have a great day. I felt better for it. Beneficial indeed.