🔗 Share this article For the Cashier Who Left Me Completely Wordless – My Hat's Off to You It was a Sunday morning, and I was grumpy enough, refueling the family car. The location was a common fuel stop that also functions as a convenience store, so you run the risk of ending up in line people bearing baskets of somewhat expensive items. It's an awful situation to happen when all you want is to get gasoline and leave. Dreadful. My position was fourth in the queue. There was only person serving, a female attendant. Something stood out to her presence. Once the slowpoke at the front of the queue had completed payment for a cleaning product, his pastry, and some breakfast items, I was certain I heard the cashier wish him to have a great day. Odd. Could be I misunderstood, or perhaps she spoke and was being sarcastic. The thought crossed my mind if she could even be an ally in my fight against faff, reflecting my irritation for people who hold up simple fuel-buyers like me. I moved up, becoming the third customer. The person ahead of our group discharged her fuel-only transaction with notable efficiency. Once more it happened: “I hope you have a fantastic day.” No, actually, it was “may your day be absolutely splendid”. A stateside native? Here in Stourbridge? The pronunciation indicated it, and hardly anyone here says to others a wonderful day, or even just a nice day. Highly unusual. You don’t get people from America frequenting this area, certainly not working in petrol stations or anywhere else. I was second now. Following a senior shopper embroiled in a lengthy struggle with her shopping cart, her groceries, her purse and her membership pass. It went on for ever. Once completed, she as well received the wish to have a fantastic day. Yes, American for sure. I might have verified it by cracking a joke at the cashier, to observe that thing when they look at you, unsmilingly, and say with absolute sincerity: “You are very amusing.” However, nothing occurred of a jest to say. Ultimately, I accepted the genuine warmth – or a mimicry of sincerity, that equates to the same thing – with which she looked directly into my eyes, piercingly, and bid me a wonderful day. My spirits lifted. A positive experience.