🔗 Share this article

It was a Sunday morning, and I found myself sufficiently irritable, topping off the family car. This was one of those petrol stations that also functions as a grocery store, so you run the risk of waiting behind customers carrying goods of slightly overpriced groceries. A terrible fate to unfold when all you want is to get gasoline and leave. Terrible.

My position was fourth in the queue. There was only person serving, a female attendant. There was something unusual about her. When the faffer at the front of the queue had finally paid for his purchases, his sausage roll, and some breakfast items, I was certain I heard the cashier tell him a wonderful day. Strange. Maybe it was a mistake, or possibly she uttered it and used a mocking tone. I pondered if perhaps she was an ally in my fight against faff, echoing my disdain for individuals slowing down straightforward customers such as myself.

I moved up, now third in line. The next shopper of the queue completed her gasoline purchase with impressive quickness. Once more it happened: “I hope you have a fantastic day.” To be precise, it was “have a wonderful day”. A stateside native? Here in Stourbridge? Her tone suggested it, and few locals wishes anyone a wonderful day, or even just a nice day. Very rare. You don’t get US citizens frequenting this area, and definitely not working in petrol stations or other places.

Now I stood second. Behind a poor older woman embroiled in a protracted effort with her shopping cart, her purchases, her handbag and her membership pass. It went on for ever. Once completed, she too was wished a wonderful day. Definitely from the US. Confirming it was possible by saying something hilarious in her direction, to see if she did that reaction their typical stare, without a smile, and reply with genuine earnest: “That’s really funny.” But I couldn’t think of a jest to express.

In the end, I embraced for the absolute sincerity – or an impersonation of it, that equates to the same thing – with which she looked me right in the eye, to my very core, and bid me a wonderful day. It improved my mood. A positive experience.