To the Cashier That Made Me Completely Without Words – My Hat's Off to You
It was a Sunday morning, and I felt sufficiently irritable, topping off my mum’s car. It was a typical gas station that operates as a supermarket, so you run the risk of joining a queue people bearing baskets of somewhat expensive items. It's an awful situation to occur when the sole aim is to get gasoline and leave. Awful.
Fourth in line I stood among those waiting. There was only cashier operating, a female attendant. There was something unusual about her. After the ditherer at the first position had finally paid for a cleaning product, a baked snack, and some breakfast items, I could have sworn overhearing the cashier tell him an excellent day. Unusual. Perhaps I’d misheard, or possibly she uttered it and meant it ironically. I pondered if she could even be an ally in my fight against faff, sharing my contempt for individuals slowing down straightforward customers like me.
Taking a step forward, becoming the third customer. The next shopper of our line completed her gasoline purchase with impressive quickness. Again, the phrase came: “Wishing you a marvelous day.” No, actually, it was “enjoy a truly great day”. A stateside native? At this location? She had the accent, and hardly anyone here says to others a wonderful day, or simply a good day. Quite out of place. You don’t get people from America frequenting this area, certainly not working in petrol stations or other places.
Second in line at last. Behind a poor older woman embroiled in a right old battle with her shopping cart, her food items, her purse and her rewards card. The process dragged on. When she was done, she as well was wished to have a fantastic day. Yes, American for sure. I might have verified it by cracking a joke at the cashier, to observe that thing their typical stare, stoically, and reply with genuine earnest: “You are very amusing.” However, nothing occurred of a funny comment to express.
I just had to settle the heartfelt tone – or an impersonation of it, that equates to no different – with which she looked directly into my eyes, deep into my soul, and bid me a wonderful day. I felt better for it. It was a good thing.
