To the Cashier Who Left Me Totally Wordless – I Salute You

This occurred on a Sunday morning, and I felt grumpy enough, refueling the family car. The location was a common fuel stop that doubles as a grocery store, so you run the risk of waiting behind people bearing baskets of pricey provisions. It's an awful situation to occur when the sole aim is to pay for some fuel. Dreadful.

I was fourth among those waiting. A single employee working, a female attendant. There was something unusual to her presence. After the ditherer at the front of the queue had at last settled for a cleaning product, his sausage roll, and some breakfast items, I was certain overhearing the cashier tell him an excellent day. Unusual. Could be I misunderstood, or possibly she uttered it and was being sarcastic. I wondered if she might actually be a supporter in my fight against faff, reflecting my irritation for individuals slowing down people just getting gas like me.

Taking a step forward, now third in line. The new leader of our group completed her gasoline purchase with impressive quickness. And there it was again: “Wishing you a marvelous day.” To be precise, it was “may your day be absolutely splendid”. A stateside native? Here in Stourbridge? Her tone suggested it, and hardly anyone here tells people such a cheerful phrase, or simply a good day. Very rare. You don’t get many Americans frequenting this area, certainly not holding jobs in fueling spots or elsewhere.

I was second now. After an elderly lady engaged in a right old battle with her shopping cart, her food items, her handbag and her rewards card. It went on for ever. When she was done, the woman also got told an excellent day. Definitely from the US. I could have confirmed it by saying something hilarious to her, to see if she did that reaction as they gaze at you, unsmilingly, and state very earnestly: “That is quite humorous.” However, nothing occurred of a funny comment to utter.

In the end, I embraced the genuine warmth – or an impersonation of it, which amounts to identical in effect – with which she looked me right in the eye, deep into my soul, and wished me a wonderful day. My spirits lifted. It was a good thing.