The scene was a weekend morning, and I found myself sufficiently irritable, refueling the family car. This was one of those petrol stations that also functions as a grocery store, which often leads of ending up in line customers carrying goods of pricey provisions. It's an awful situation to happen when the sole aim is to complete a simple refueling. Terrible.
I was fourth in the waiting line. A single employee working, a young woman. There was something unusual about her. After the ditherer at the head of the line had finally paid for his Viakal, his sausage roll, and his box of eggs, I was certain that I heard the cashier bid him a wonderful day. Odd. Maybe it was a mistake, or possibly she uttered it and meant it ironically. The thought crossed my mind if she could even be an ally in the war on delays, echoing my disdain for people who hold up straightforward customers such as myself.
Taking a step forward, to third in the queue. The person ahead of our line 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? Her tone suggested it, and no British person says to others those exact words, or even just a nice day. Quite out of place. It's uncommon to find US citizens knocking around Stourbridge, least of all employed at gas stations or elsewhere.
Now I stood second. After an elderly lady dealing with a lengthy struggle with her carryall, her purchases, her purse and her rewards card. It went on for ever. When she was done, she too got told to have a fantastic day. Definitely from the US. I might have verified it by making a witty remark at the cashier, to observe that reaction as they gaze at you, unsmilingly, and say with absolute sincerity: “That’s really funny.” Yet no idea came of a jest to express.
Ultimately, I accepted the genuine warmth – or a mimicry of sincerity, essentially the same as no different – while she stared straight at me, to my very core, and bid me an awesome day. My spirits lifted. Beneficial indeed.
