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The scene was a day of rest, and I was grumpy enough, filling up the family car. The location was a common fuel stop that doubles as a supermarket, which often leads of waiting behind people bearing baskets of slightly overpriced groceries. A terrible fate to unfold when your only desire is to get gasoline and leave. Dreadful.

Fourth in line I stood in the waiting line. A single person serving, a youthful clerk. Something stood out about her. Once the slowpoke at the first position had finally paid for his Viakal, a baked snack, and some breakfast items, I was certain I heard the cashier tell him an excellent day. Odd. Perhaps I’d misheard, or possibly she uttered it and used a mocking tone. The thought crossed my mind if she might actually be an ally in the war on delays, reflecting my irritation for individuals slowing down people just getting gas including me.

I moved up, now third in line. The person ahead of our group discharged her fuel-only transaction with impressive quickness. Once more it happened: “Wishing you a marvelous day.” No, actually, it was “may your day be absolutely splendid”. A stateside native? At this location? The pronunciation indicated it, and few locals tells people those exact words, or simply a good day. Very rare. It's uncommon to find many Americans visiting this town, and definitely not working in petrol stations or anywhere else.

Now I stood second. After an elderly lady embroiled in a protracted effort with her basket, her groceries, her handbag and her loyalty card. The process dragged on. Once completed, she as well received the wish to have a fantastic day. Definitely from the US. Confirming it was possible by cracking a joke in her direction, to observe that response when they look at you, without a smile, and state very earnestly: “That is quite humorous.” However, nothing occurred of a funny comment to express.

In the end, I embraced the heartfelt tone – or a performance of it, that equates to the same thing – with which she looked straight at me, to my very core, and bid me a wonderful day. I felt better for it. It was a good thing.