Addressing the Checkout Assistant That Made Me Totally Wordless – Kudos to You

This occurred on a day of rest, and I felt grumpy enough, topping off the family car. It was one of those petrol stations that doubles as a convenience store, so you run the risk of ending up in line people bearing baskets of slightly overpriced groceries. This is a dreadful thing to occur when all you want is to get gasoline and leave. Awful.

My position was fourth in the waiting line. A single employee working, a young woman. Something stood out to her presence. After the ditherer at the head of the line had finally paid for his Viakal, a baked snack, and his box of eggs, I was certain that I heard the cashier tell him a wonderful day. Odd. Perhaps I’d misheard, or perhaps she spoke and was being sarcastic. The thought crossed my mind if she might actually be a supporter in my fight against faff, echoing my disdain for people who hold up straightforward customers such as myself.

Advancing next, to third in the queue. The person ahead of our line finished pumping gas with impressive quickness. Again, the phrase came: “I hope you have a fantastic day.” To be precise, it was “may your day be absolutely splendid”. An American? At this location? The pronunciation indicated it, and no British person says to others a wonderful day, or even just a nice day. Very rare. You don’t get people from America knocking around Stourbridge, and definitely not employed at gas stations or other places.

Second in line at last. Following a senior shopper engaged in a right old battle with her shopping cart, her groceries, her purse and her rewards card. It went on for ever. After she finished, she as well was wished to have a fantastic day. Clearly an American. I could have confirmed it by cracking a joke in her direction, to observe that thing their typical stare, stoically, and state very earnestly: “You are very amusing.” Yet no idea came of anything hilarious to utter.

I just had to settle the genuine warmth – or an impersonation of it, which amounts to the same thing – with which she looked me right in the eye, deep into my soul, and told me to have a great day. I felt better for it. It was a good thing.