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It was a Sunday morning, and I was grumpy enough, topping off my mother's vehicle. It was one of those petrol stations that also functions as a supermarket, which often leads of ending up in line customers carrying goods of slightly overpriced groceries. A terrible fate to occur when all you want is to complete a simple refueling. Awful.

I was fourth in the waiting line. A single person serving, a young woman. Something stood out to her presence. Once the slowpoke at the front of the queue had at last settled for his purchases, a baked snack, and some breakfast items, It seemed to me overhearing the cashier tell him to have a great day. Strange. Perhaps I’d misheard, or possibly she uttered it and meant it ironically. The thought crossed my mind if she might actually be a comrade in the war on delays, reflecting my irritation for people who hold up simple fuel-buyers such as myself.

Advancing next, to third in the queue. The new leader of our group discharged her fuel-only transaction with commendable speed. Again, the phrase came: “I hope you have a fantastic day.” In fact, it was “have a wonderful day”. Someone from the US? In Stourbridge? The pronunciation indicated it, and few locals says to others such a cheerful phrase, or even just a nice day. Very rare. You don’t get US citizens frequenting this area, certainly not working in petrol stations or elsewhere.

Second in line at last. Following a senior shopper engaged in a protracted effort with her basket, her food items, her handbag and her membership pass. It went on for ever. After she finished, she as well was wished a wonderful day. Clearly an American. I might have verified it by making a witty remark at the cashier, to observe that thing as they gaze at you, stoically, and state very earnestly: “That is quite humorous.” But I couldn’t think of a funny comment to say.

I just had to settle the heartfelt tone – or an impersonation of it, essentially the same as the same thing – as she gazed straight at me, piercingly, and wished me an awesome day. My spirits lifted. A positive experience.