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This occurred on a day of rest, and I was grumpy enough, filling up the family car. The location was one of those petrol stations that operates as a supermarket, meaning there's a chance of ending up in line shoppers with carts of slightly overpriced groceries. A terrible fate to unfold when your only desire is to complete a simple refueling. Awful.

My position was fourth in the waiting line. Just one person serving, a female attendant. There was something unusual to her presence. Once the slowpoke at the first position had finally paid for his purchases, a baked snack, and some breakfast items, I could have sworn overhearing the cashier wish him an excellent day. Odd. Maybe it was a mistake, or possibly she uttered it and meant it ironically. I wondered if perhaps she was a comrade in my battle with dithering, echoing my disdain for individuals slowing down simple fuel-buyers including me.

I moved up, now third in line. The next shopper of the queue finished pumping gas with commendable speed. And there it was again: “Wishing you a marvelous day.” In fact, it was “have a wonderful day”. A stateside native? Here in Stourbridge? She had the accent, and hardly anyone here wishes anyone such a cheerful phrase, or merely a pleasant day. Highly unusual. You don’t get US citizens visiting this town, least of all working in petrol stations or elsewhere.

Now I stood second. After an elderly lady embroiled in a right old battle with her basket, her groceries, her wallet and her membership pass. It went on for ever. After she finished, she as well was wished an excellent day. Clearly an American. I might have verified it by saying something hilarious in her direction, to check for that reaction as they gaze at you, unsmilingly, and state very earnestly: “That is quite humorous.” However, nothing occurred of a jest to utter.

Ultimately, I accepted the genuine warmth – or an impersonation of it, that equates to no different – as she gazed me right in the eye, piercingly, and told me a wonderful day. It improved my mood. Beneficial indeed.