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This occurred on a Sunday morning, and I felt grumpy enough, filling up my mum’s car. It was a typical gas station that also functions as a supermarket, so you run the risk of joining a queue customers carrying goods of somewhat expensive items. This is a dreadful thing to occur when the sole aim is to complete a simple refueling. Awful.

My position was fourth in the queue. A single cashier operating, a young woman. There was something unusual about her. After the ditherer at the head of the line had at last settled for his Viakal, his pastry, and his box of eggs, I was certain overhearing the cashier bid him to have a great day. Unusual. Perhaps I’d misheard, or possibly she uttered it and used a mocking tone. I wondered if she might actually be a supporter in my battle with dithering, echoing my disdain for those who delay simple fuel-buyers such as myself.

I moved up, to third in the queue. The person ahead of our line finished pumping gas with notable efficiency. Once more it happened: “Wishing you a marvelous day.” In fact, it was “may your day be absolutely splendid”. An American? In Stourbridge? She had the accent, and no British person tells people a wonderful day, or simply a good day. Highly unusual. You don’t get people from America visiting this town, least of all employed at gas stations or other places.

Now I stood second. After an elderly lady embroiled in a protracted effort with her shopping cart, her groceries, her handbag and her membership pass. The process dragged on. Once completed, she as well received the wish a wonderful day. Clearly an American. I might have verified it by cracking a joke in her direction, to see if she did that thing as they gaze at you, without a smile, and state very earnestly: “You are very amusing.” However, nothing occurred of a funny comment to express.

I just had to settle for the absolute sincerity – or an impersonation of it, essentially the same as identical in effect – with which she looked directly into my eyes, piercingly, and told me to have a great day. I felt better for it. It was a good thing.