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This occurred on a Sunday morning, and I found myself in a foul mood, refueling my mum’s car. It was a common fuel stop that doubles as a grocery store, meaning there's a chance of joining a queue shoppers with carts of slightly overpriced groceries. A terrible fate to occur when your only desire is to complete a simple refueling. Terrible.

I was fourth in the waiting line. There was only person serving, a young woman. There was something unusual about her. When the faffer at the first position had finally paid for his purchases, his pastry, and his box of eggs, It seemed to me I heard the cashier wish him an excellent day. Odd. Perhaps I’d misheard, or perhaps she spoke and meant it ironically. I pondered if she could even be an ally in my fight against faff, reflecting my irritation for those who delay straightforward customers such as myself.

Advancing next, becoming the third customer. The person ahead of our group discharged her fuel-only transaction with notable efficiency. And there it was again: “Have a wonderful day.” No, actually, it was “enjoy a truly great day”. Someone from the US? Here in Stourbridge? Her tone suggested it, and hardly anyone here tells people such a cheerful phrase, or merely a pleasant day. Quite out of place. You don’t get many Americans visiting this town, least of all employed at gas stations or other places.

Second in line at last. Behind a poor older woman dealing with a right old battle with her carryall, her purchases, her wallet and her membership pass. The process dragged on. Once completed, the woman also got told a wonderful day. Clearly an American. I could have confirmed it by saying something hilarious in her direction, to observe that reaction their typical stare, stoically, and reply with genuine earnest: “You are very amusing.” But I couldn’t think of a jest to say.

In the end, I embraced the genuine warmth – or an impersonation of it, that equates to the same thing – while she stared directly into my eyes, to my very core, and told me an awesome day. My spirits lifted. A positive experience.