To the Checkout Assistant Who Left Me Absolutely Speechless – Kudos to You

This occurred on a weekend morning, and I found myself in a foul mood, refueling the family car. This was a typical gas station that operates as a grocery store, meaning there's a chance of joining a queue people bearing baskets of slightly overpriced groceries. This is a dreadful thing to occur when the sole aim is to complete a simple refueling. Terrible.

My position was fourth in the waiting line. Just one cashier operating, a female attendant. There was something unusual about her. After the ditherer at the head of the line had completed payment for his Viakal, his sausage roll, and some breakfast items, I was certain that I heard the cashier bid him an excellent day. Strange. Perhaps I’d misheard, or perhaps she spoke and was being sarcastic. I pondered if perhaps she was a supporter in the war on delays, sharing my contempt for those who delay people just getting gas like me.

Taking a step forward, becoming the third customer. The next shopper of our group completed her gasoline purchase with commendable speed. Again, the phrase came: “I hope you have a fantastic day.” In fact, it was “may your day be absolutely splendid”. An American? In Stourbridge? She had the accent, and no British person tells people such a cheerful phrase, or simply a good day. Very rare. It's uncommon to find US citizens knocking around Stourbridge, least of all working in petrol stations or elsewhere.

Now I stood second. After an elderly lady engaged in a lengthy struggle with her carryall, her food items, her handbag and her loyalty card. It went on for ever. After she finished, she as well was wished to have a fantastic day. Clearly an American. Confirming it was possible by cracking a joke at the cashier, to see if she did that thing when they look at you, stoically, and reply with genuine earnest: “You are very amusing.” Yet no idea came of a jest to say.

In the end, I embraced for the absolute sincerity – or an impersonation of it, that equates to the same thing – as she gazed me right in the eye, piercingly, and told me to have a great day. It improved my mood. Beneficial indeed.