Addressing the Checkout Assistant That Made Me Absolutely Speechless – My Hat's Off to You
It was a weekend morning, and I found myself in a foul mood, topping off the family car. It was one of those petrol stations that doubles as a grocery store, meaning there's a chance of joining a queue customers carrying goods of pricey provisions. A terrible fate to happen when all you want is to pay for some fuel. Dreadful.
Fourth in line I stood in the waiting line. Just one employee working, a young woman. A peculiar quality to her presence. Once the slowpoke at the front of the queue had finally paid for a cleaning product, a baked snack, and his box of eggs, I was certain overhearing the cashier bid him a wonderful day. Unusual. Perhaps I’d misheard, or maybe she did say it and was being sarcastic. I pondered if perhaps she was an ally in the war on delays, sharing my contempt for people who hold up straightforward customers such as myself.
I moved up, now third in line. The person ahead of the queue completed her gasoline purchase with impressive quickness. Once more it happened: “Wishing you a marvelous day.” To be precise, it was “enjoy a truly great day”. An American? In Stourbridge? The pronunciation indicated it, and few locals tells people such a cheerful phrase, or merely a pleasant day. Very rare. It's uncommon to find people from America knocking around Stourbridge, least of all holding jobs in fueling spots or other places.
I was second now. After an elderly lady engaged in a lengthy struggle with her basket, her food items, her purse and her rewards card. This took an eternity. Once completed, the woman also got told an excellent day. Clearly an American. Confirming it was possible by saying something hilarious to her, to observe that response as they gaze at you, stoically, and state very earnestly: “That’s really funny.” However, nothing occurred of a funny comment to express.
Ultimately, I accepted the heartfelt tone – or an impersonation of it, which amounts to the same thing – while she stared me right in the eye, to my very core, and told me a wonderful day. I felt better for it. It was a good thing.
