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This occurred on a day of rest, and I felt in a foul mood, topping off the family car. This was one of those petrol stations that also functions as a convenience store, so you run the risk of joining a queue people bearing baskets of slightly overpriced groceries. A terrible fate to occur when your only desire is to get gasoline and leave. Terrible.

I was fourth in the waiting line. A single person serving, a female attendant. A peculiar quality about her. Once the slowpoke at the front of the queue had completed payment for his Viakal, his pastry, and his box of eggs, It seemed to me I heard the cashier tell him an excellent day. Strange. Maybe it was a mistake, or perhaps she spoke and used a mocking tone. The thought crossed my mind if perhaps she was a supporter in the war on delays, echoing my disdain for individuals slowing down straightforward customers including me.

I moved up, to third in the queue. The person ahead of the queue finished pumping gas with notable efficiency. Once more it happened: “I hope you have a fantastic day.” No, actually, it was “enjoy a truly great day”. A stateside native? In Stourbridge? She had the accent, and hardly anyone here wishes anyone those exact words, or simply a good day. Very rare. It's uncommon to find US citizens knocking around Stourbridge, and definitely not holding jobs in fueling spots or elsewhere.

Now I stood second. After an elderly lady embroiled in a lengthy struggle with her shopping cart, her food items, her purse and her membership pass. The process dragged on. When she was done, she too received the wish an excellent day. Yes, American for sure. I could have confirmed it by saying something hilarious to her, to see if she did that response their typical stare, unsmilingly, and say with absolute sincerity: “That is quite humorous.” But I couldn’t think of a jest to utter.

In the end, I embraced the genuine warmth – or a mimicry of sincerity, essentially the same as the same thing – with which she looked directly into my eyes, piercingly, and told me a wonderful day. It improved my mood. It was a good thing.