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This occurred on a weekend morning, and I felt in a foul mood, filling up my mother's vehicle. It was a common fuel stop that operates as a convenience store, which often leads of ending up in line shoppers with carts of somewhat expensive items. This is a dreadful thing to happen when the sole aim is to pay for some fuel. Terrible.

My position was fourth in the waiting line. Just one employee working, a female attendant. There was something unusual in her demeanor. When the faffer at the first position had at last settled for his Viakal, his sausage roll, and some breakfast items, I was certain overhearing the cashier tell him a wonderful day. Strange. Could be I misunderstood, or possibly she uttered it and meant it ironically. I pondered if she could even be a supporter in my battle with dithering, echoing my disdain for people who hold up people just getting gas including me.

I moved up, to third in the queue. The new leader of our group discharged her fuel-only transaction with commendable speed. Once more it happened: “Have a wonderful day.” To be precise, it was “may your day be absolutely splendid”. An American? In Stourbridge? The pronunciation indicated it, and few locals tells people those exact words, or even just a nice day. Very rare. Rarely does one encounter US citizens visiting this town, and definitely not holding jobs in fueling spots or other places.

Now I stood second. Behind a poor older woman embroiled in a lengthy struggle with her basket, her food items, her purse and her membership pass. This took an eternity. When she was done, she as well was wished an excellent day. Yes, American for sure. I could have confirmed it by saying something hilarious to her, to observe that response as they gaze at you, stoically, and state very earnestly: “You are very amusing.” Yet no idea came of a jest to utter.

I just had to settle for the absolute sincerity – or an impersonation of it, that equates to the same thing – while she stared me right in the eye, to my very core, and wished me an awesome day. I felt better for it. A positive experience.