For the Store Clerk Who Made Me Absolutely Without Words – My Hat's Off to You
The scene was a weekend morning, and I was in a foul mood, filling up my mother's vehicle. It was a typical gas station that also functions as a convenience store, meaning there's a chance of waiting behind customers carrying goods of pricey provisions. A terrible fate to happen when the sole aim is to complete a simple refueling. Dreadful.
I was fourth in the queue. A single employee working, a female attendant. A peculiar quality about her. Once the slowpoke at the head of the line had completed payment for his Viakal, his pastry, and some breakfast items, I could have sworn overhearing the cashier wish him an excellent day. Unusual. Perhaps I’d misheard, or maybe she did say it and was being sarcastic. I pondered if she could even be an ally in my battle with dithering, reflecting my irritation for individuals slowing down simple fuel-buyers such as myself.
Advancing next, now third in line. The person ahead of our group completed her gasoline purchase with impressive quickness. Again, the phrase came: “Wishing you a marvelous day.” No, actually, it was “may your day be absolutely splendid”. A stateside native? Here in Stourbridge? The pronunciation indicated it, and few locals wishes anyone those exact words, or merely a pleasant day. Highly unusual. You don’t get people from America frequenting this area, least of all 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 food items, her purse and her membership pass. The process dragged on. Once completed, she as well was wished an excellent day. Clearly an American. I could have confirmed it by cracking a joke to her, to see if she did that reaction their typical stare, unsmilingly, and reply with genuine earnest: “That’s really funny.” But I couldn’t think of a jest to utter.
I just had to settle the genuine warmth – or a performance of it, which amounts to the same thing – as she gazed straight at me, deep into my soul, and told me to have a great day. My spirits lifted. Beneficial indeed.
