🔗 Share this article

It was a day of rest, and I felt sufficiently irritable, filling up my mother's vehicle. It was a common fuel stop that also functions as a convenience store, which often leads of ending up in line shoppers with carts of slightly overpriced groceries. This is a dreadful thing to unfold when the sole aim is to pay for some fuel. Terrible.

Fourth in line I stood in the waiting line. There was only person serving, a young woman. There was something unusual in her demeanor. Once the slowpoke at the front of the queue had completed payment for his Viakal, a baked snack, and some breakfast items, I could have sworn overhearing the cashier bid him an excellent day. Unusual. Could be I misunderstood, or perhaps she spoke and used a mocking tone. I wondered if perhaps she was a supporter in the war on delays, reflecting my irritation for individuals slowing down people just getting gas such as myself.

Advancing next, now third in line. The next shopper of our line completed her gasoline purchase with notable efficiency. Again, the phrase came: “Have a wonderful day.” To be precise, it was “have a wonderful day”. A stateside native? Here in Stourbridge? She had the accent, and few locals says to others a wonderful day, or merely a pleasant day. Quite out of place. Rarely does one encounter US citizens knocking around Stourbridge, and definitely not holding jobs in fueling spots or elsewhere.

Now I stood second. Behind a poor older woman engaged in a lengthy struggle with her carryall, her food items, her wallet and her loyalty card. This took an eternity. Once completed, she as well was wished an excellent day. Yes, American for sure. I could have confirmed it by saying something hilarious in her direction, to observe that response as they gaze at you, without a smile, and say with absolute sincerity: “That is quite humorous.” Yet no idea came of a funny comment to express.

Ultimately, I accepted for the absolute sincerity – or a mimicry of sincerity, essentially the same as identical in effect – as she gazed me right in the eye, to my very core, and wished me an awesome day. My spirits lifted. Beneficial indeed.