🔗 Share this article

The scene was a day of rest, and I found myself sufficiently irritable, topping off the family car. It was one of those petrol stations that doubles as a supermarket, so you run the risk of ending up in line customers carrying goods of pricey provisions. A terrible fate to occur when the sole aim is to pay for some fuel. Dreadful.

Fourth in line I stood among those waiting. There was only employee working, a female attendant. A peculiar quality to her presence. When the faffer at the head of the line had finally paid for his purchases, his sausage roll, and some breakfast items, I could have sworn overhearing the cashier wish him a wonderful day. Strange. Maybe it was a mistake, or possibly she uttered it and meant it ironically. The thought crossed my mind if she could even be a comrade in my battle with dithering, reflecting my irritation for those who delay people just getting gas such as myself.

I moved up, to third in the queue. The person ahead of our line completed her gasoline purchase with impressive quickness. And there it was again: “Wishing you a marvelous day.” To be precise, it was “have a wonderful day”. An American? Here in Stourbridge? The pronunciation indicated it, and hardly anyone here tells people such a cheerful phrase, or even just a nice day. Very rare. It's uncommon to find many Americans frequenting this area, and definitely not working in petrol stations or elsewhere.

I was second now. Following a senior shopper engaged in a right old battle with her basket, her purchases, her wallet and her membership pass. The process dragged on. Once completed, the woman also got told to have a fantastic day. Definitely from the US. I could have confirmed it by cracking a joke in her direction, to see if she did that response as they gaze at you, stoically, and state very earnestly: “That is quite humorous.” However, nothing occurred of a funny comment to utter.

In the end, I embraced for the absolute sincerity – or an impersonation of it, which amounts to the same thing – with which she looked me right in the eye, deep into my soul, and told me a wonderful day. It improved my mood. Beneficial indeed.