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This occurred on a weekend morning, and I felt sufficiently irritable, topping off my mother's vehicle. This was a typical gas station that doubles as a convenience store, so you run the risk of ending up in line people bearing baskets of pricey provisions. This is a dreadful thing to happen when your only desire is to get gasoline and leave. Terrible.

My position was fourth among those waiting. Just one cashier operating, a female attendant. There was something unusual to her presence. When the faffer at the first position had completed payment for his Viakal, a baked snack, and some breakfast items, It seemed to me that I heard the cashier tell him a wonderful day. Odd. Perhaps I’d misheard, or perhaps she spoke and was being sarcastic. I wondered if she could even be a comrade in the war on delays, echoing my disdain for individuals slowing down simple fuel-buyers such as myself.

I moved up, to third in the queue. The next shopper of our line completed her gasoline purchase with impressive quickness. Once more it happened: “Wishing you a marvelous day.” No, actually, it was “enjoy a truly great day”. A stateside native? In Stourbridge? Her tone suggested it, and few locals wishes anyone such a cheerful phrase, or merely a pleasant day. Quite out of place. Rarely does one encounter US citizens frequenting this area, certainly not holding jobs in fueling spots or other places.

Now I stood second. After an elderly lady embroiled in a protracted effort with her shopping cart, her purchases, her purse and her membership pass. This took an eternity. After she finished, the woman also was wished to have a fantastic day. Clearly an American. I might have verified it by making a witty remark in her direction, to observe that reaction their typical stare, unsmilingly, and say with absolute sincerity: “That is quite humorous.” But I couldn’t think of a funny comment to say.

I just had to settle the genuine warmth – or a performance of it, essentially the same as the same thing – while she stared straight at me, deep into my soul, and bid me to have a great day. My spirits lifted. A positive experience.