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It was a weekend morning, and I felt grumpy enough, topping off my mum’s car. It was a typical gas station that doubles as a convenience store, meaning there's a chance of joining a queue customers carrying goods of somewhat expensive items. This is a dreadful thing to happen when the sole aim is to complete a simple refueling. Terrible.

My position was fourth in the queue. 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 purchases, his sausage roll, and his box of eggs, It seemed to me that I heard the cashier tell him to have a great day. Unusual. Perhaps I’d misheard, or maybe she did say it and meant it ironically. I pondered if she might actually be a supporter in my fight against faff, sharing my contempt for individuals slowing down people just getting gas like me.

Advancing next, now third in line. The new leader of our line discharged her fuel-only transaction with notable efficiency. Again, the phrase came: “Have a wonderful day.” To be precise, it was “have a wonderful day”. Someone from the US? Here in Stourbridge? She had the accent, and no British person says to others those exact words, or merely a pleasant day. Very rare. It's uncommon to find many Americans knocking around Stourbridge, and definitely not holding jobs in fueling spots or other places.

Now I stood second. Behind a poor older woman dealing with a lengthy struggle with her carryall, her purchases, her purse and her membership pass. This took an eternity. After she finished, she as well received the wish a wonderful day. Yes, American for sure. Confirming it was possible by cracking a joke in her direction, to see if she did that response their typical stare, unsmilingly, and say with absolute sincerity: “That is quite humorous.” However, nothing occurred of a funny comment to express.

I just had to settle the genuine warmth – or an impersonation of it, that equates to identical in effect – while she stared me right in the eye, deep into my soul, and told me to have a great day. I felt better for it. A positive experience.