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It was a weekend morning, and I found myself grumpy enough, filling up my mum’s car. The location was a common fuel stop that doubles as a convenience store, so you run the risk of ending up in line people bearing baskets of somewhat expensive items. This is a dreadful thing to happen when all you want is to complete a simple refueling. Terrible.

Fourth in line I stood in the waiting line. There was only person serving, a youthful clerk. Something stood out to her presence. After the ditherer at the front of the queue had at last settled for a cleaning product, his sausage roll, and his box of eggs, It seemed to me that I heard the cashier tell him to have a great day. Strange. Could be I misunderstood, or perhaps she spoke and used a mocking tone. The thought crossed my mind if she might actually be an ally in my battle with dithering, sharing my contempt for individuals slowing down simple fuel-buyers such as myself.

Taking a step forward, becoming the third customer. The new leader of our group discharged her fuel-only transaction with commendable speed. Again, the phrase came: “Have a wonderful day.” In fact, it was “may your day be absolutely splendid”. A stateside native? In Stourbridge? Her tone suggested it, and no British person says to others a wonderful day, or merely a pleasant day. Quite out of place. It's uncommon to find people from America visiting this town, and definitely not working in petrol stations or other places.

Second in line at last. After an elderly lady dealing with a right old battle with her shopping cart, her food items, her purse and her rewards card. This took an eternity. When she was done, she too received the wish an excellent day. Definitely from the US. I might have verified it by cracking a joke at the cashier, to check for that response as they gaze at you, stoically, and say with absolute sincerity: “You are very amusing.” But I couldn’t think of a funny comment to say.

I just had to settle for the absolute sincerity – or a performance of it, that equates to the same thing – while she stared me right in the eye, to my very core, and bid me to have a great day. My spirits lifted. A positive experience.