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This occurred on a weekend morning, and I was sufficiently irritable, refueling the family car. It was a common fuel stop that also functions as a grocery store, which often leads of joining a queue people bearing baskets of slightly overpriced groceries. This is a dreadful thing to happen when your only desire is to get gasoline and leave. Dreadful.

My position was fourth in the waiting line. A single person serving, a young woman. Something stood out in her demeanor. Once the slowpoke at the head of the line had completed payment for his purchases, his pastry, and his box of eggs, It seemed to me overhearing the cashier tell him a wonderful day. Strange. Could be I misunderstood, or maybe she did say it and was being sarcastic. I wondered if perhaps she was a supporter in my fight against faff, sharing my contempt for individuals slowing down simple fuel-buyers such as myself.

Advancing next, becoming the third customer. The new leader of our group discharged her fuel-only transaction with notable efficiency. And there it was again: “I hope you have a fantastic day.” No, actually, it was “have a wonderful day”. Someone from the US? In Stourbridge? She had the accent, and no British person says to others such a cheerful phrase, or merely a pleasant day. Quite out of place. You don’t get US citizens frequenting this area, and definitely not holding jobs in fueling spots or anywhere else.

Now I stood second. Following a senior shopper embroiled in a protracted effort with her shopping cart, her groceries, her handbag and her loyalty card. The process dragged on. After she finished, she too was wished a wonderful day. Clearly an American. I might have verified it by cracking a joke to her, to check for that reaction their typical stare, unsmilingly, and say with absolute sincerity: “That’s really funny.” But I couldn’t think of anything hilarious to express.

Ultimately, I accepted the genuine warmth – or an impersonation of it, which amounts to the same thing – while she stared directly into my eyes, piercingly, and told me an awesome day. My spirits lifted. Beneficial indeed.