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It was a weekend morning, and I found myself grumpy enough, refueling my mother's vehicle. It was a common fuel stop that operates as a supermarket, which often leads of joining a queue shoppers with carts of slightly overpriced groceries. This is a dreadful thing to occur when your only desire is to complete a simple refueling. Dreadful.

Fourth in line I stood in the waiting line. A single cashier operating, a female attendant. There was something unusual in her demeanor. After the ditherer at the head of the line had finally paid for his Viakal, his sausage roll, and a carton of eggs, I was certain that I heard the cashier wish him to have a great day. Odd. Could be I misunderstood, or possibly she uttered it and was being sarcastic. The thought crossed my mind if she might actually be a comrade in the war on delays, reflecting my irritation for people who hold up straightforward customers like me.

I moved up, now third in line. The new leader of the queue finished pumping gas with impressive quickness. Once more it happened: “Wishing you a marvelous day.” In fact, it was “enjoy a truly great day”. An American? At this location? The pronunciation indicated it, and few locals tells people a wonderful day, or simply a good day. Very rare. It's uncommon to find many Americans frequenting this area, least of all holding jobs in fueling spots or other places.

Now I stood second. After an elderly lady engaged in a right old battle with her carryall, her purchases, her handbag and her membership pass. It went on for ever. When she was done, she too received the wish an excellent day. Definitely from the US. 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: “You are very amusing.” But I couldn’t think of a funny comment to utter.

In the end, I embraced the genuine warmth – or a mimicry of sincerity, essentially the same as the same thing – with which she looked me right in the eye, to my very core, and told me to have a great day. My spirits lifted. Beneficial indeed.