 The Boston @-@ born American author Edith <unk> wrote in her 2003 book Peace Comes Dropping Slow that when the Irish stereotyped Americans , they tended to use the phrase " have a nice day " . While lodging at a house in Ireland , <unk> found a drawing on the wall for American visitors like her . Drawn by her host 's daughters , the picture had the phrase " Have a _ _ _ _ _ _ Day " , with a smiley faced affixed instead of the word " nice " . Irish author Aidan Higgins wrote in his 2004 book A Bestiary that the Americanization of Ireland led the Irish to say phrases like " No problem ! " or " Have a nice day ! " even when there is drenching rain . 
