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It was a weekend morning, and I felt sufficiently irritable, refueling my mum’s car. This was a common fuel stop that operates as a grocery store, meaning there's a chance of ending up in line customers carrying goods of pricey provisions. It's an awful situation to unfold when your only desire is to complete a simple refueling. Awful.

I was fourth in the queue. A single employee working, a young woman. A peculiar quality about her. When the faffer at the head of the line had at last settled for his Viakal, a baked snack, and his box of eggs, I could have sworn overhearing the cashier tell him a wonderful day. Odd. Could be I misunderstood, or maybe she did say it and was being sarcastic. The thought crossed my mind if perhaps she was an ally in my battle with dithering, sharing my contempt for those who delay straightforward customers such as myself.

Taking a step forward, to third in the queue. The new leader of the queue discharged her fuel-only transaction with impressive quickness. And there it was again: “I hope you have a fantastic day.” To be precise, it was “have a wonderful day”. An American? In Stourbridge? The pronunciation indicated it, and hardly anyone here wishes anyone a wonderful day, or even just a nice day. Quite out of place. Rarely does one encounter many Americans visiting this town, and definitely not employed at gas stations or anywhere else.

Second in line at last. After an elderly lady dealing with a protracted effort with her shopping cart, her food items, her handbag and her loyalty card. It went on for ever. Once completed, the woman also got told an excellent day. Clearly an American. I could have confirmed it by cracking a joke to her, to observe that reaction when they look at you, without a smile, and state very earnestly: “That’s really funny.” However, nothing occurred of a jest to utter.

I just had to settle for the absolute sincerity – or a mimicry of sincerity, essentially the same as the same thing – with which she looked directly into my eyes, to my very core, and bid me an awesome day. It improved my mood. It was a good thing.