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It was a Sunday morning, and I was grumpy enough, topping off the family car. This was a typical gas station that also functions as a supermarket, so you run the risk of ending up in line customers carrying goods of slightly overpriced groceries. A terrible fate to unfold when all you want is to pay for some fuel. Dreadful.

I was fourth among those waiting. A single cashier operating, a female attendant. A peculiar quality to her presence. After the ditherer at the front of the queue had at last settled for a cleaning product, his sausage roll, and his box of eggs, I could have sworn overhearing the cashier wish him an excellent day. Strange. Could be I misunderstood, or maybe she did say it and used a mocking tone. I pondered if perhaps she was an ally in my battle with dithering, sharing my contempt for individuals slowing down people just getting gas including me.

I moved up, now third in line. The next shopper of our group finished pumping gas with commendable speed. Once more it happened: “I hope you have a fantastic day.” In fact, it was “have a wonderful day”. An American? In Stourbridge? Her tone suggested it, and no British person tells people those exact words, or simply a good day. Highly unusual. You don’t get many Americans knocking around Stourbridge, and definitely not working in petrol stations or other places.

I was second now. Following a senior shopper engaged in a lengthy struggle with her carryall, her purchases, her wallet and her loyalty card. This took an eternity. When she was done, she as well was wished to have a fantastic day. Definitely from the US. I could have confirmed it by saying something hilarious at the cashier, to check for that response when they look at you, stoically, and state very earnestly: “That is quite humorous.” But I couldn’t think of a funny comment to say.

I just had to settle for the absolute sincerity – or a performance of it, essentially the same as the same thing – while she stared me right in the eye, to my very core, and told me an awesome day. I felt better for it. It was a good thing.