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This occurred on a weekend morning, and I found myself sufficiently irritable, filling up my mother's vehicle. This was a common fuel stop that operates as a convenience store, so you run the risk of waiting behind people bearing baskets of pricey provisions. This is a dreadful thing to occur when the sole aim is to get gasoline and leave. Awful.

My position was fourth in the waiting line. Just one employee working, a female attendant. A peculiar quality to her presence. Once the slowpoke at the front of the queue had finally paid for a cleaning product, his pastry, and his box of eggs, I could have sworn I heard the cashier bid him an excellent day. Odd. Could be I misunderstood, or maybe she did say it and meant it ironically. I wondered if perhaps she was a supporter in the war on delays, echoing my disdain for those who delay straightforward customers like me.

Taking a step forward, to third in the queue. The person ahead of our group completed her gasoline purchase with impressive quickness. Again, the phrase came: “Have a wonderful day.” To be precise, it was “enjoy a truly great day”. Someone from the US? Here in Stourbridge? The pronunciation indicated it, and hardly anyone here tells people those exact words, or simply a good day. Quite out of place. You don’t get US citizens visiting this town, and definitely not holding jobs in fueling spots or elsewhere.

I was second now. Following a senior shopper embroiled in a lengthy struggle with her basket, her food items, her wallet and her loyalty card. It went on for ever. When she was done, she too got told an excellent day. Yes, American for sure. I could have confirmed it by saying something hilarious at the cashier, to see if she did that thing when they look at you, without a smile, and reply with genuine earnest: “That is quite humorous.” However, nothing occurred of anything hilarious to express.

In the end, I embraced the heartfelt tone – or an impersonation of it, essentially the same as no different – while she stared straight at me, piercingly, and bid me a wonderful day. It improved my mood. A positive experience.