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This occurred on a Sunday morning, and I felt grumpy enough, refueling my mum’s car. This was one of those petrol stations that doubles as a supermarket, which often leads of ending up in line customers carrying goods of slightly overpriced groceries. This is a dreadful thing to unfold when all you want is to pay for some fuel. Terrible.

My position was fourth in the waiting line. A single person serving, a young woman. There was something unusual to her presence. After the ditherer at the first position had completed payment for a cleaning product, his pastry, and his box of eggs, I was certain that I heard the cashier bid him an excellent day. Strange. Maybe it was a mistake, or maybe she did say it and was being sarcastic. The thought crossed my mind if she could even be an ally in my fight against faff, echoing my disdain for people who hold up people just getting gas including me.

Advancing next, to third in the queue. The person ahead of our line discharged her fuel-only transaction with impressive quickness. And there it was again: “I hope you have a fantastic day.” In fact, it was “have a wonderful day”. A stateside native? In Stourbridge? The pronunciation indicated it, and few locals wishes anyone such a cheerful phrase, or even just a nice day. Very rare. It's uncommon to find many Americans knocking around Stourbridge, and definitely not employed at gas stations or other places.

Now I stood second. After an elderly lady dealing with a lengthy struggle with her basket, her food items, her handbag and her loyalty card. The process dragged on. After she finished, she as well received the wish an excellent day. Clearly an American. Confirming it was possible by making a witty remark at the cashier, to see if she did that thing when they look at you, unsmilingly, and state very earnestly: “That’s really funny.” But I couldn’t think of anything hilarious to express.

In the end, I embraced for the absolute sincerity – or a performance of it, which amounts to no different – as she gazed straight at me, to my very core, and bid me a wonderful day. My spirits lifted. A positive experience.