🔗 Share this article For the Store Clerk Who Left Me Absolutely Wordless – My Hat's Off to You It was a day of rest, and I felt sufficiently irritable, filling up the family car. The location was one of those petrol stations that also functions as a supermarket, so you run the risk of joining a queue people bearing baskets of somewhat expensive items. A terrible fate to occur when your only desire is to complete a simple refueling. Awful. My position was fourth in the waiting line. A single person serving, a youthful clerk. There was something unusual about her. Once the slowpoke at the head of the line had at last settled for his Viakal, a baked snack, and some breakfast items, It seemed to me I heard the cashier tell him to have a great day. Unusual. Perhaps I’d misheard, or possibly she uttered it and was being sarcastic. The thought crossed my mind if she might actually be a comrade in my fight against faff, reflecting my irritation for individuals slowing down straightforward customers like me. Taking a step forward, now third in line. The new leader of our group finished pumping gas with notable efficiency. And there it was again: “I hope you have a fantastic day.” To be precise, it was “enjoy a truly great day”. Someone from the US? Here in Stourbridge? She had the accent, and hardly anyone here tells people a wonderful day, or merely a pleasant day. Highly unusual. Rarely does one encounter many Americans frequenting this area, least of all holding jobs in fueling spots or anywhere else. I was second now. Behind a poor older woman dealing with a lengthy struggle with her carryall, her groceries, her handbag and her rewards card. It went on for ever. Once completed, she as well was wished an excellent day. Definitely from the US. Confirming it was possible by cracking a joke in her direction, to check for that reaction as they gaze at you, without a smile, and state very earnestly: “You are very amusing.” Yet no idea came of anything hilarious to say. In the end, I embraced for the absolute sincerity – or an impersonation of it, essentially the same as no different – while she stared me right in the eye, to my very core, and told me a wonderful day. I felt better for it. Beneficial indeed.