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It was a day of rest, and I was grumpy enough, filling up the family car. It was one of those petrol stations that operates as a supermarket, so you run the risk of ending up in line customers carrying goods of somewhat expensive items. A terrible fate to occur when your only desire is to get gasoline and leave. Awful.

Fourth in line I stood in the queue. Just one employee working, a youthful clerk. Something stood out about her. After the ditherer at the first position had at last settled for his purchases, his pastry, and some breakfast items, I was certain overhearing the cashier wish him an excellent day. Strange. Could be I misunderstood, or possibly she uttered it and meant it ironically. I wondered if she might actually be a comrade in my fight against faff, reflecting my irritation for individuals slowing down simple fuel-buyers such as myself.

Advancing next, becoming the third customer. The next shopper of our line finished pumping gas with impressive quickness. Once more it happened: “Have a wonderful day.” To be precise, it was “enjoy a truly great day”. An American? At this location? The pronunciation indicated it, and hardly anyone here wishes anyone those exact words, or even just a nice day. Highly unusual. Rarely does one encounter many Americans knocking around Stourbridge, least of all working in petrol stations or anywhere else.

Now I stood second. Following a senior shopper dealing with a right old battle with her carryall, her purchases, her handbag and her loyalty card. This took an eternity. When she was done, she as well got told to have a fantastic day. Definitely from the US. I might have verified it by cracking a joke in her direction, to see if she did that reaction when they look at you, without a smile, and reply with genuine earnest: “That is quite humorous.” However, nothing occurred of a jest to say.

In the end, I embraced the genuine warmth – or an impersonation of it, which amounts to the same thing – with which she looked directly into my eyes, to my very core, and told me an awesome day. I felt better for it. Beneficial indeed.