🔗 Share this article

It was a weekend morning, and I felt sufficiently irritable, topping off my mother's vehicle. This was a typical gas station that operates as a grocery store, meaning there's a chance of waiting behind shoppers with carts of slightly overpriced groceries. A terrible fate to unfold when the sole aim is to complete a simple refueling. Awful.

My position was fourth among those waiting. There was only employee working, a female attendant. Something stood out to her presence. Once the slowpoke at the head of the line had completed payment for a cleaning product, his sausage roll, and a carton of eggs, I was certain I heard the cashier bid him a wonderful day. Unusual. Maybe it was a mistake, or possibly she uttered it and was being sarcastic. I pondered if she could even be a comrade in my fight against faff, sharing my contempt for people who hold up people just getting gas including me.

Taking a step forward, now third in line. The next shopper of our line finished pumping gas with commendable speed. Again, the phrase came: “I hope you have a fantastic day.” No, actually, it was “may your day be absolutely splendid”. Someone from the US? In Stourbridge? Her tone suggested it, and hardly anyone here wishes anyone such a cheerful phrase, or even just a nice day. Very rare. It's uncommon to find US citizens knocking around Stourbridge, and definitely not employed at gas stations or elsewhere.

Now I stood second. Following a senior shopper embroiled in a lengthy struggle with her carryall, her purchases, her purse and her membership pass. This took an eternity. After she finished, she too was wished an excellent day. Yes, American for sure. I could have confirmed it by saying something hilarious to her, to check for that response as they gaze at you, stoically, and reply with genuine earnest: “That’s really funny.” Yet no idea came of anything hilarious to say.

I just had to settle the genuine warmth – or a mimicry of sincerity, essentially the same as no different – while she stared straight at me, piercingly, and wished me an awesome day. It improved my mood. A positive experience.