🔗 Share this article

This occurred on a weekend morning, and I felt sufficiently irritable, filling up the family car. The location was a typical gas station that doubles as a convenience store, meaning there's a chance of joining a queue customers carrying goods of slightly overpriced groceries. It's an awful situation to happen when the sole aim is to get gasoline and leave. Terrible.

I was fourth among those waiting. There was only employee working, a youthful clerk. A peculiar quality about her. After the ditherer at the front of the queue had finally paid for his purchases, a baked snack, and his box of eggs, I could have sworn overhearing the cashier bid him an excellent day. Unusual. Could be I misunderstood, or possibly she uttered it and meant it ironically. I pondered if she could even be an ally in my fight against faff, reflecting my irritation for people who hold up people just getting gas such as myself.

Taking a step forward, now third in line. The new leader of our line completed her gasoline purchase with impressive quickness. Once more it happened: “I hope you have a fantastic day.” To be precise, it was “may your day be absolutely splendid”. Someone from the US? Here in Stourbridge? Her tone suggested it, and few locals wishes anyone such a cheerful phrase, or simply a good day. Highly unusual. You don’t get people from America frequenting this area, certainly not holding jobs in fueling spots or elsewhere.

Now I stood second. Following a senior shopper engaged in a lengthy struggle with her carryall, her food items, her purse and her membership pass. This took an eternity. When she was done, she as well got told an excellent day. Clearly an American. I could have confirmed it by saying something hilarious to her, to see if she did that thing their typical stare, without a smile, and reply with genuine earnest: “You are very amusing.” Yet no idea came of a funny comment to say.

In the end, I embraced the heartfelt tone – or a mimicry of sincerity, essentially the same as the same thing – while she stared me right in the eye, deep into my soul, and bid me to have a great day. I felt better for it. Beneficial indeed.