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The scene was a Sunday morning, and I found myself sufficiently irritable, refueling my mother's vehicle. The location was one of those petrol stations that also functions as a grocery store, meaning there's a chance of joining a queue people bearing baskets of pricey provisions. It's an awful situation to happen when all you want is to complete a simple refueling. Dreadful.

Fourth in line I stood in the queue. Just one employee working, a young woman. There was something unusual to her presence. When the faffer at the front of the queue had at last settled for his purchases, his sausage roll, and a carton of eggs, I could have sworn overhearing the cashier bid him a wonderful day. Odd. Perhaps I’d misheard, or maybe she did say it and meant it ironically. I wondered if perhaps she was a comrade in the war on delays, echoing my disdain for individuals slowing down straightforward customers including me.

Taking a step forward, becoming the third customer. The new leader of our line discharged her fuel-only transaction with commendable speed. And there it was again: “Have a wonderful day.” To be precise, it was “enjoy a truly great day”. An American? Here in Stourbridge? She had the accent, and no British person wishes anyone those exact words, or even just a nice day. Highly unusual. Rarely does one encounter people from America visiting this town, certainly not holding jobs in fueling spots or other places.

I was second now. Behind a poor older woman dealing with a lengthy struggle with her shopping cart, her purchases, her handbag and her rewards card. The process dragged on. Once completed, the woman also received the wish an excellent day. Definitely from the US. Confirming it was possible by cracking a joke at the cashier, to observe that thing when they look at you, stoically, and reply with genuine earnest: “That is quite humorous.” But I couldn’t think of a funny comment to express.

I just had to settle for the absolute sincerity – or an impersonation of it, essentially the same as no different – while she stared directly into my eyes, piercingly, and bid me a wonderful day. I felt better for it. A positive experience.