Addressing the Cashier That Made Me Totally Wordless – I Salute You

This occurred on a weekend morning, and I felt sufficiently irritable, refueling my mother's vehicle. This was one of those petrol stations that operates as a grocery store, so you run the risk of joining a queue shoppers with carts of pricey provisions. This is a dreadful thing to occur when your only desire is to pay for some fuel. Dreadful.

My position was fourth in the waiting line. A single cashier operating, a young woman. A peculiar quality in her demeanor. When the faffer at the first position had at last settled for his purchases, his sausage roll, and his box of eggs, I was certain I heard the cashier wish him a wonderful day. Strange. Could be I misunderstood, or perhaps she spoke and meant it ironically. I wondered if she might actually be a comrade in the war on delays, sharing my contempt for people who hold up simple fuel-buyers including me.

Advancing next, now third in line. The next shopper of our group discharged her fuel-only transaction with commendable speed. Again, the phrase came: “I hope you have a fantastic day.” No, actually, it was “have a wonderful day”. Someone from the US? Here in Stourbridge? Her tone suggested it, and hardly anyone here says to others a wonderful day, or even just a nice day. Highly unusual. It's uncommon to find US citizens frequenting this area, least of all holding jobs in fueling spots or elsewhere.

Now I stood second. Following a senior shopper embroiled in a lengthy struggle with her shopping cart, her purchases, her handbag and her rewards card. The process dragged on. After she finished, she too was wished a wonderful day. Clearly an American. I could have confirmed it by cracking a joke at the cashier, to check for that reaction as they gaze at you, stoically, and reply with genuine earnest: “That’s really funny.” Yet no idea came of a jest to say.

I just had to settle for the absolute sincerity – or an impersonation of it, essentially the same as no different – while she stared straight at me, piercingly, and told me to have a great day. My spirits lifted. Beneficial indeed.