Addressing the Store Clerk Who Left Me Totally Without Words – My Hat's Off to You
This occurred on a weekend morning, and I found myself sufficiently irritable, topping off my mother's vehicle. It was a common fuel stop that operates as a convenience store, which often leads of ending up in line customers carrying goods of pricey provisions. It's an awful situation to occur when all you want is to complete a simple refueling. Dreadful.
Fourth in line I stood in the waiting line. There was only person serving, a youthful clerk. There was something unusual about her. After the ditherer at the front of the queue had finally paid for his Viakal, a baked snack, and his box of eggs, I could have sworn overhearing the cashier bid him to have a great day. Strange. Could be I misunderstood, or perhaps she spoke and was being sarcastic. I wondered if she could even be an ally in the war on delays, echoing my disdain for people who hold up simple fuel-buyers like me.
Advancing next, to third in the queue. The next shopper of the queue discharged her fuel-only transaction with notable efficiency. Again, the phrase came: “Have a wonderful day.” No, actually, it was “enjoy a truly great day”. Someone from the US? At this location? Her tone suggested it, and no British person wishes anyone those exact words, or merely a pleasant day. Very rare. You don’t get US citizens knocking around Stourbridge, least of all working in petrol stations or anywhere else.
Second in line at last. Behind a poor older woman embroiled in a protracted effort with her shopping cart, her food items, her purse and her loyalty card. It went on for ever. Once completed, the woman also received the wish to have a fantastic day. Clearly an American. I could have confirmed it by making a witty remark in her direction, to observe that reaction their typical stare, stoically, and state very earnestly: “You are very amusing.” Yet no idea came of a funny comment to utter.
I just had to settle the genuine warmth – or an impersonation of it, that equates to no different – as she gazed me right in the eye, deep into my soul, and told me to have a great day. It improved my mood. A positive experience.
