🔗 Share this article

It was a weekend morning, and I found myself grumpy enough, filling up my mother's vehicle. It was a typical gas station that doubles as a convenience store, meaning there's a chance of waiting behind shoppers with carts of somewhat expensive items. This is a dreadful thing to happen when your only desire is to pay for some fuel. Terrible.

I was fourth among those waiting. Just one person serving, a young woman. A peculiar quality in her demeanor. After the ditherer at the front of the queue had finally paid for his purchases, his pastry, and his box of eggs, I could have sworn that I heard the cashier bid him a wonderful day. Odd. Maybe it was a mistake, or maybe she did say it and was being sarcastic. The thought crossed my mind if she might actually be a supporter in the war on delays, reflecting my irritation for people who hold up straightforward customers including me.

I moved up, to third in the queue. The new leader of our group finished pumping gas with impressive quickness. Again, the phrase came: “Wishing you a marvelous day.” No, actually, it was “have a wonderful day”. A stateside native? Here in Stourbridge? Her tone suggested it, and no British person tells people such a cheerful phrase, or simply a good day. Quite out of place. You don’t get US citizens visiting this town, and definitely not employed at gas stations or anywhere else.

I was second now. Behind a poor older woman embroiled in a lengthy struggle with her carryall, her food items, her purse and her membership pass. The process dragged on. When she was done, she too got told an excellent day. Yes, American for sure. I could have confirmed it by saying something hilarious to her, to see if she did that reaction their typical stare, unsmilingly, and state very earnestly: “That’s really funny.” Yet no idea came of a jest to express.

I just had to settle for the absolute sincerity – or a mimicry of sincerity, essentially the same as no different – while she stared straight at me, piercingly, and wished me an awesome day. My spirits lifted. Beneficial indeed.