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The scene was a day of rest, and I felt in a foul mood, filling up my mother's vehicle. This was a typical gas station that operates as a supermarket, meaning there's a chance of joining a queue shoppers with carts of slightly overpriced groceries. It's an awful situation to occur when all you want is to get gasoline and leave. Awful.

I was fourth in the waiting line. There was only person serving, a young woman. There was something unusual in her demeanor. Once the slowpoke at the head of the line had at last settled for his purchases, his sausage roll, and his box of eggs, It seemed to me that I heard the cashier tell him a wonderful day. Unusual. Could be I misunderstood, or maybe she did say it and meant it ironically. I pondered if she could even be an ally in the war on delays, sharing my contempt for individuals slowing down simple fuel-buyers like me.

Advancing next, now third in line. The person ahead of the queue completed her gasoline purchase with impressive quickness. Once more it happened: “Wishing you a marvelous day.” No, actually, it was “enjoy a truly great day”. Someone from the US? At this location? The pronunciation indicated it, and no British person says to others a wonderful day, or merely a pleasant day. Highly unusual. It's uncommon to find US citizens frequenting this area, least of all working in petrol stations or other places.

Second in line at last. Following a senior shopper embroiled in a protracted effort with her shopping cart, her food items, her wallet and her loyalty card. It went on for ever. When she was done, the woman also got told to have a fantastic day. Definitely from the US. I could have confirmed it by cracking a joke to her, to see if she did that response their typical stare, without a smile, and state very earnestly: “That’s really funny.” However, nothing occurred of a jest to utter.

Ultimately, I accepted for the absolute sincerity – or a performance of it, essentially the same as the same thing – while she stared me right in the eye, piercingly, and bid me a wonderful day. I felt better for it. A positive experience.