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This occurred on a day of rest, and I found myself grumpy enough, refueling my mother's vehicle. The location was one of those petrol stations that doubles as a supermarket, so you run the risk of waiting behind shoppers with carts of slightly overpriced groceries. A terrible fate to occur when all you want is to get gasoline and leave. Terrible.

My position was fourth in the waiting line. Just one person serving, a youthful clerk. A peculiar quality in her demeanor. After the ditherer at the first position had at last settled for his Viakal, a baked snack, and some breakfast items, I could have sworn I heard the cashier bid him to have a great day. Unusual. Perhaps I’d misheard, or possibly she uttered it and meant it ironically. The thought crossed my mind if perhaps she was an ally in my fight against faff, sharing my contempt for individuals slowing down people just getting gas such as myself.

I moved up, becoming the third customer. The new leader of the queue completed her gasoline purchase with impressive quickness. Once more it happened: “Have a wonderful day.” To be precise, it was “may your day be absolutely splendid”. A stateside native? In Stourbridge? She had the accent, and few locals tells people such a cheerful phrase, or merely a pleasant day. Highly unusual. Rarely does one encounter US citizens visiting this town, certainly not holding jobs in fueling spots or elsewhere.

I was second now. After an elderly lady dealing with a lengthy struggle with her carryall, her food items, her wallet and her membership pass. This took an eternity. Once completed, the woman also got told to have a fantastic day. Definitely from the US. Confirming it was possible by making a witty remark at the cashier, to see if she did that reaction their typical stare, stoically, and reply with genuine earnest: “That is quite humorous.” However, nothing occurred of a funny comment to express.

I just had to settle for the absolute sincerity – or a performance of it, which amounts to no different – as she gazed directly into my eyes, to my very core, and bid me to have a great day. My spirits lifted. Beneficial indeed.