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This occurred on a weekend morning, and I found myself in a foul mood, filling up the family car. The location was a typical gas station that doubles as a supermarket, so you run the risk of waiting behind shoppers with carts of slightly overpriced groceries. It's an awful situation to unfold when all you want is to complete a simple refueling. Terrible.

My position was fourth in the waiting line. There was only cashier operating, a young woman. There was something unusual about her. Once the slowpoke at the first position had completed payment for his Viakal, his sausage roll, and his box of eggs, I was certain that I heard the cashier tell him a wonderful day. Strange. Perhaps I’d misheard, or maybe she did say it and meant it ironically. The thought crossed my mind if perhaps she was a comrade in my fight against faff, reflecting my irritation for those who delay simple fuel-buyers including me.

Taking a step forward, becoming the third customer. The next shopper of the queue finished pumping gas with notable efficiency. Once more it happened: “I hope you have a fantastic day.” To be precise, it was “have a wonderful day”. Someone from the US? Here in Stourbridge? She had the accent, and hardly anyone here says to others those exact words, or merely a pleasant day. Quite out of place. It's uncommon to find many Americans visiting this town, least of all holding jobs in fueling spots or anywhere else.

Now I stood second. Behind a poor older woman embroiled in a lengthy struggle with her shopping cart, her purchases, her handbag and her loyalty card. The process dragged on. When she was done, the woman also got told an excellent day. Definitely from the US. I might have verified it by cracking a joke at the cashier, to observe that reaction as they gaze at you, unsmilingly, and state very earnestly: “That is quite humorous.” However, nothing occurred of anything hilarious to say.

In the end, I embraced for the absolute sincerity – or an impersonation of it, essentially the same as identical in effect – while she stared straight at me, piercingly, and bid me to have a great day. My spirits lifted. A positive experience.