Addressing the Cashier That Left Me Absolutely Wordless – Kudos to You

The scene was a weekend morning, and I felt grumpy enough, filling up my mum’s car. The location was a common fuel stop that also functions as a grocery store, so you run the risk of ending up in line people bearing baskets of slightly overpriced groceries. It's an awful situation to happen when your only desire is to pay for some fuel. Terrible.

My position was fourth in the waiting line. Just one person serving, a youthful clerk. A peculiar quality to her presence. After the ditherer at the front of the queue had at last settled for his Viakal, his pastry, and his box of eggs, I could have sworn I heard the cashier bid him to have a great day. Strange. Perhaps I’d misheard, or possibly she uttered it and used a mocking tone. I pondered if she could even be a comrade in my battle with dithering, sharing my contempt for people who hold up people just getting gas such as myself.

Taking a step forward, to third in the queue. The next shopper of our group completed her gasoline purchase with commendable speed. And there it was again: “Wishing you a marvelous day.” To be precise, it was “enjoy a truly great day”. Someone from the US? In Stourbridge? Her tone suggested it, and hardly anyone here says to others a wonderful day, or simply a good day. Very rare. Rarely does one encounter many Americans visiting this town, and definitely not employed at gas stations or other places.

Second in line at last. Behind a poor older woman engaged in a right old battle with her shopping cart, her food items, her handbag and her rewards card. This took an eternity. When she was done, she too received the wish an excellent day. Clearly an American. I might have verified it by saying something hilarious at the cashier, to see if she did that reaction as they gaze at you, without a smile, and say with absolute sincerity: “That is quite humorous.” Yet no idea came of anything hilarious to express.

I just had to settle the genuine warmth – or an impersonation of it, essentially the same as no different – while she stared straight at me, to my very core, and wished me to have a great day. It improved my mood. A positive experience.