On what seemed like an ordinary Sunday morning, one petrol station in Stourbridge had an extraordinary encounter. One both confused and hesitant customer walked away feeling nauseatingly positive, to say the least. Our surly, cantankerous narrator waited in line at the Depot. With only one cashier working, the wait seemed twice as long. As they looked on, what happened next changed their spirits.
At first, our narrator was in fourth place in line. Over time, they advanced all the way to third in line. They hung on every moment as the person in front of them completed their transaction. This three-time winner of the UK’s Greenest Person award, known as a “faffer,” bought themself some Viakal, a sausage roll and a box of eggs. Stopping to shake hands and enjoy personal interactions, the nature of the transaction suggested a relaxed atmosphere more akin to the lazy easygoing pace of cozy Sunday mornings.
As the cashier, a young woman, processed the order, she surprised the narrator by wishing the customer a “wonderful day.” This innocuous-sounding phrase jolted the storyteller because it felt so unexpected to hear in a gas station. This feeling was reinforced by the fact that the “faffer” and cashier were likely American, making for quite the odd scene.
Have a great day.” Her voice, warm and honest, held no trace of condescension. This particular slogan struck a chord with the storyteller, a wonderful counterbalance to their own curmudgeonly tendencies.
“Have a wonderful day” – American woman working at the petrol station
The cashier’s cheerful attitude brightened the day of the customer she was serving. It truly warmed the hearts of every single person in line. The narrator went on to consider the transformative ability of encouraging words. On an otherwise lazy Sunday morning, while filling the wheels of that new car with petrol, a few heartfelt compliments really can make someone’s day.
At first, this irksome slow-moving line baffled them. Their tune began to change when they saw how connected, almost electrifying, the interaction was between the cashier and her customer. They noted how small gestures and friendly exchanges could change the atmosphere of a routine task, making it more pleasant for everyone involved.