Addressing the Store Clerk That Left Me Absolutely Speechless – Kudos to You
It was a weekend morning, and I felt sufficiently irritable, refueling the family car. This was a common fuel stop that also functions as a convenience store, meaning there's a chance of joining a queue shoppers with carts of somewhat expensive items. A terrible fate to happen when all you want is to pay for some fuel. Dreadful.
My position was fourth among those waiting. Just one employee working, a female attendant. Something stood out to her presence. Once the slowpoke at the first position had completed payment for a cleaning product, his sausage roll, and a carton of eggs, I could have sworn overhearing the cashier wish him to have a great day. Unusual. Perhaps I’d misheard, or maybe she did say it and was being sarcastic. I wondered if perhaps she was an ally in my battle with dithering, sharing my contempt for individuals slowing down people just getting gas like me.
I moved up, becoming the third customer. The person ahead of our line discharged her fuel-only transaction with impressive quickness. Again, the phrase came: “Wishing you a marvelous day.” In fact, it was “enjoy a truly great day”. A stateside native? At this location? Her tone suggested it, and hardly anyone here wishes anyone such a cheerful phrase, or merely a pleasant day. Highly unusual. It's uncommon to find people from America visiting this town, and definitely not holding jobs in fueling spots or elsewhere.
Second in line at last. After an elderly lady embroiled in a right old battle with her basket, her purchases, her wallet and her loyalty card. It went on for ever. Once completed, she too got told a wonderful day. Definitely from the US. I might have verified it by making a witty remark in her direction, to see if she did that reaction when they look at you, stoically, and say with absolute sincerity: “You are very amusing.” However, nothing occurred of anything hilarious to utter.
Ultimately, I accepted for the absolute sincerity – or a mimicry of sincerity, that equates to no different – as she gazed straight at me, to my very core, and wished me a wonderful day. It improved my mood. A positive experience.
