This occurred on a day of rest, and I was grumpy enough, filling up my mum’s car. It was a typical gas station that doubles as a convenience store, which often leads of joining a queue shoppers with carts of slightly overpriced groceries. It's an awful situation to unfold when all you want is to complete a simple refueling. Dreadful.
Fourth in line I stood in the waiting line. A single employee working, a youthful clerk. Something stood out in her demeanor. Once the slowpoke at the front of the queue had at last settled for his Viakal, his sausage roll, and a carton of eggs, It seemed to me overhearing the cashier bid him to have a great day. Unusual. Could be I misunderstood, or possibly she uttered it and was being sarcastic. I wondered if perhaps she was an ally in the war on delays, sharing my contempt for those who delay simple fuel-buyers such as myself.
I moved up, becoming the third customer. The next shopper of our group finished pumping gas with notable efficiency. Again, the phrase came: “Have a wonderful day.” In fact, 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 merely a pleasant day. Very rare. It's uncommon to find US citizens knocking around Stourbridge, and definitely not holding jobs in fueling spots or anywhere else.
I was second now. After an elderly lady embroiled in a protracted effort with her basket, her food items, her handbag and her membership pass. The process dragged on. After she finished, she too got told an excellent day. Definitely from the US. I might have verified it by saying something hilarious to her, to observe that thing when they look at you, stoically, and state very earnestly: “That is quite humorous.” However, nothing occurred of a jest to utter.
Ultimately, I accepted the genuine warmth – or an impersonation of it, which amounts to the same thing – as she gazed me right in the eye, deep into my soul, and told me a wonderful day. I felt better for it. Beneficial indeed.
