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This occurred on a weekend morning, and I felt grumpy enough, topping off my mum’s car. It was one of those petrol stations that operates as a grocery store, which often leads of waiting behind people bearing baskets of slightly overpriced groceries. It's an awful situation to occur when the sole aim is to pay for some fuel. Dreadful.

I was fourth among those waiting. There was only cashier operating, a youthful clerk. A peculiar quality in her demeanor. Once the slowpoke at the front of the queue had completed payment for his Viakal, his sausage roll, and a carton of eggs, I was certain overhearing the cashier wish him to have a great day. Unusual. Maybe it was a mistake, or maybe she did say it and was being sarcastic. I wondered if she might actually be a comrade in the war on delays, reflecting my irritation for individuals slowing down straightforward customers including me.

I moved up, becoming the third customer. The person ahead of the queue finished pumping gas with commendable speed. Again, the phrase came: “Have a wonderful day.” No, actually, it was “may your day be absolutely splendid”. Someone from the US? Here in Stourbridge? She had the accent, and few locals tells people such a cheerful phrase, or even just a nice day. Highly unusual. Rarely does one encounter US citizens frequenting this area, and definitely not employed at gas stations or elsewhere.

I was second now. After an elderly lady engaged in a right old battle with her carryall, her groceries, her purse and her loyalty card. This took an eternity. Once completed, she as well was wished an excellent day. Yes, American for sure. Confirming it was possible by making a witty remark at the cashier, to observe that response when they look at you, unsmilingly, and reply with genuine earnest: “You are very amusing.” But I couldn’t think of a jest to express.

I just had to settle for the absolute sincerity – or a mimicry of sincerity, which amounts to the same thing – while she stared me right in the eye, to my very core, and told me a wonderful day. It improved my mood. It was a good thing.