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It was a day of rest, and I felt in a foul mood, filling up the family car. This was a typical gas station that operates as a supermarket, so you run the risk of joining a queue shoppers with carts of somewhat expensive items. It's an awful situation to occur when all you want is to get gasoline and leave. Terrible.

Fourth in line I stood in the waiting line. There was only cashier operating, a young woman. Something stood out in her demeanor. After the ditherer at the head of the line had finally paid for a cleaning product, his pastry, and a carton of eggs, I was certain that I heard the cashier wish him a wonderful day. Unusual. Maybe it was a mistake, or maybe she did say it and used a mocking tone. I pondered if she might actually be a comrade in my battle with dithering, echoing my disdain for people who hold up simple fuel-buyers such as myself.

I moved up, to third in the queue. The new leader of our line discharged her fuel-only transaction with notable efficiency. Again, the phrase came: “Have a wonderful day.” No, actually, it was “may your day be absolutely splendid”. A stateside native? Here in Stourbridge? She had the accent, and no British person wishes anyone a wonderful day, or simply a good day. Very rare. You don’t get people from America knocking around Stourbridge, certainly not working in petrol stations or other places.

Second in line at last. Following a senior shopper dealing with a lengthy struggle with her shopping cart, her groceries, her handbag and her loyalty card. This took an eternity. Once completed, the woman also was wished a wonderful day. Yes, American for sure. I could have confirmed it by making a witty remark at the cashier, to see if she did that response when they look at you, unsmilingly, and say with absolute sincerity: “That is quite humorous.” Yet no idea came of a funny comment to express.

I just had to settle the heartfelt tone – or a performance of it, which amounts to identical in effect – while she stared directly into my eyes, piercingly, and bid me to have a great day. My spirits lifted. It was a good thing.