For the Checkout Assistant That Made Me Absolutely Wordless – I Salute You

The scene was a Sunday morning, and I was grumpy enough, topping off the family car. This was a common fuel stop that operates as a grocery store, so you run the risk of ending up in line shoppers with carts of pricey provisions. This is a dreadful thing to happen when the sole aim is to get gasoline and leave. Awful.

Fourth in line I stood in the queue. There was only employee working, a youthful clerk. There was something unusual in her demeanor. After the ditherer at the first position had finally paid for a cleaning product, his pastry, and his box of eggs, I was certain I heard the cashier wish him to have a great day. Unusual. Maybe it was a mistake, or possibly she uttered it and used a mocking tone. The thought crossed my mind if she might actually be an ally in the war on delays, echoing my disdain for people who hold up simple fuel-buyers like me.

I moved up, now third in line. The new leader of our line finished pumping gas with commendable speed. And there it was again: “I hope you have a fantastic day.” In fact, it was “have a wonderful day”. A stateside native? In Stourbridge? The pronunciation indicated it, and few locals tells people a wonderful day, or simply a good day. Highly unusual. It's uncommon to find many Americans frequenting this area, least of all employed at gas stations or anywhere else.

Now I stood second. After an elderly lady dealing with a right old battle with her shopping cart, her groceries, her wallet and her membership pass. The process dragged on. Once completed, the woman also got told an excellent day. Yes, American for sure. Confirming it was possible by saying something hilarious in her direction, to observe that reaction as they gaze at you, unsmilingly, and reply with genuine earnest: “That is quite humorous.” Yet no idea came of a jest to utter.

I just had to settle the heartfelt tone – or an impersonation of it, that equates to no different – as she gazed directly into my eyes, piercingly, and told me an awesome day. My spirits lifted. It was a good thing.