🔗 Share this article

This occurred on a Sunday morning, and I was sufficiently irritable, topping off the family car. The location was a typical gas station that also functions as a grocery store, which often leads of ending up in line customers carrying goods of slightly overpriced groceries. It's an awful situation to happen when the sole aim is to get gasoline and leave. Dreadful.

I was fourth in the waiting line. A single employee working, a young woman. Something stood out about her. After the ditherer at the first position had completed payment for a cleaning product, a baked snack, and some breakfast items, It seemed to me overhearing the cashier tell him a wonderful day. Strange. Perhaps I’d misheard, or perhaps she spoke and meant it ironically. The thought crossed my mind if perhaps she was a comrade in my battle with dithering, echoing my disdain for individuals slowing down people just getting gas including me.

I moved up, to third in the queue. The new leader of the queue completed her gasoline purchase with notable efficiency. And there it was again: “Wishing you a marvelous day.” No, actually, it was “enjoy a truly great day”. An American? Here in Stourbridge? The pronunciation indicated it, and few locals wishes anyone a wonderful day, or simply a good day. Quite out of place. Rarely does one encounter people from America frequenting this area, certainly not working in petrol stations or elsewhere.

I was second now. Following a senior shopper dealing with a protracted effort with her shopping cart, her purchases, her purse and her loyalty card. It went on for ever. Once completed, she as well received the wish a wonderful day. Definitely from the US. I might have verified it by cracking a joke in her direction, to check for that reaction when they look at you, stoically, and state very earnestly: “You are very amusing.” However, nothing occurred of anything hilarious to utter.

Ultimately, I accepted the genuine warmth – or a mimicry of sincerity, essentially the same as identical in effect – with which she looked directly into my eyes, piercingly, and told me an awesome day. My spirits lifted. It was a good thing.