Here is your receipt

The clerk was pleasant from start to finish.

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The other day, I went into a Lawson because I wanted to try the "Kuchidoke Chocolat Crepe" and "Rich Milk Bar" sweets that were featured on the show "Jobtune."

However, the items I was looking for were completely sold out, and I was left disappointed. In a half-compromise, I picked up a "Fuwa-Ko Cheesecake" (which was incredibly delicious!) and a protein drink as a token gesture of health consciousness, then headed to the register.

The clerk nearby was a young man in his early twenties. He was smiling the whole time and was extremely likable. He looked a bit like Do-mae from Long Coat Daddy (without the glasses)—tall, but slightly hunched. That added to his air of humility, and he was practically radiating a "good guy" aura. He seems like a good guy, but he probably doesn't appeal much to women. Look who's talking.

"Oh, please come to this register."

As I approached the unmanned register counter, Do-mae responded in a tone that was both efficient and relaxed. See? He really is a good guy.

"Do you have a point card?"

"Would you like a bag?"

Do-mae handled everything politely—oh, so politely. Not only were his manual movements perfect, but his gentle demeanor created such a pleasant atmosphere in the store. Good job, Do-mae. The day you take charge of this store won't be far off.

He was the type of clerk I haven't encountered in a while, so I felt completely soothed by him. In terms of healing levels, it was equivalent to a dog on a walk approaching me while wagging its tail. Good job, Do-mae.

After finishing the payment, when he handed over the change, Do-mae was polite-of-polite.

"Here is your change and receipt first."

He placed the coins on the boat of the receipt and gently landed them in my hand.
Then, Do-mae handed me the plastic bag containing my items.

"Here isyour receipt," they said.

Let me say it one more time.

Domae handed me the plastic bag containing my items and said,
"Here isyour receipt."

They didn't realize it. Domae didn't realize it. They surely intended to say, "Here are your items."

Don't laugh. You mustn't laugh, me. If I burst out laughing here, I'll hurt Domae's customer service performance. I'll hurt Domae's innocent heart. In the end, that beaming, innocent smile might be plunged into deep darkness by the trivial embarrassment I caused them to feel. I absolutely cannot let that happen. I must not let it happen. I want to protect this smile.

I kept my smile to a polite level, said "Thanks," and left the store.
Then, with Domae's "Thank you very much!" at my back, I got into my car and headed home, my shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter.

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There is a proverb that says, "Ignorance is bliss." In this case, it would surely have been happier for Domae not to know. After all, there is no benefit for me, Domae, or Lawson in pointing out such a small mistake.

It may be self-serving, but I think these kinds of subtle considerations actually keep the world running smoothly. As the comedian Yutty says, "Don't worry about the small stuff." Trivial things should just be left alone. Cute mistakes should just be lightly brushed aside. Domae should just "wakachiko" it.

However, if Domae were to look back and think, "I said 'Here is your receipt'...! Did that person notice...?" it would be quite awkward. After all, I'm writing about it candidly in an essay. Who am I to talk about "subtle consideration"?

(The End)