🔗 Share this article

This occurred on a day of rest, and I was in a foul mood, topping off my mother's vehicle. It was a typical gas station that doubles as a convenience store, which often leads of joining a queue people bearing baskets of pricey provisions. This is a dreadful thing to unfold when the sole aim is to complete a simple refueling. Dreadful.

My position was fourth in the waiting line. A single employee working, a youthful clerk. Something stood out about her. Once the slowpoke at the head of the line had at last settled for his Viakal, his pastry, and a carton of eggs, I could have sworn I heard the cashier tell him to have a great day. Strange. Perhaps I’d misheard, or perhaps she spoke and used a mocking tone. The thought crossed my mind if she could even be a supporter in the war on delays, sharing my contempt for those who delay simple fuel-buyers like me.

I moved up, becoming the third customer. The new leader of our line finished pumping gas with impressive quickness. Again, the phrase came: “Have a wonderful day.” In fact, it was “have a wonderful day”. A stateside native? In Stourbridge? The pronunciation indicated it, and no British person wishes anyone such a cheerful phrase, or simply a good day. Quite out of place. Rarely does one encounter US citizens frequenting this area, and definitely not employed at gas stations or anywhere else.

Now I stood second. Behind a poor older woman dealing with a lengthy struggle with her carryall, her food items, her purse and her loyalty card. It went on for ever. After she finished, the woman also was wished a wonderful day. Yes, American for sure. I could have confirmed it by making a witty remark in her direction, to check for that reaction when they look at you, without a smile, and say with absolute sincerity: “You are very amusing.” But I couldn’t think of a funny comment to say.

Ultimately, I accepted the genuine warmth – or a mimicry of sincerity, that equates to identical in effect – as she gazed straight at me, piercingly, and told me an awesome day. I felt better for it. It was a good thing.