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The scene was a day of rest, and I found myself in a foul mood, filling up my mum’s car. The location was a typical gas station that doubles as a convenience store, so you run the risk of waiting behind customers carrying goods of pricey provisions. A terrible fate to occur when all you want is to get gasoline and leave. Dreadful.

My position was fourth among those waiting. A single person serving, a female attendant. A peculiar quality to her presence. Once the slowpoke at the front of the queue had completed payment for his purchases, a baked snack, and a carton of eggs, I could have sworn I heard the cashier bid him to have a great day. Unusual. Perhaps I’d misheard, or maybe she did say it and meant it ironically. The thought crossed my mind if she might actually be an ally in my fight against faff, reflecting my irritation for those who delay straightforward customers such as myself.

I moved up, to third in the queue. The person ahead of our group completed her gasoline purchase with notable efficiency. And there it was again: “I hope you have a fantastic day.” To be precise, it was “enjoy a truly great day”. Someone from the US? In Stourbridge? The pronunciation indicated it, and few locals tells people such a cheerful phrase, or merely a pleasant day. Highly unusual. Rarely does one encounter many Americans visiting this town, certainly not working in petrol stations or other places.

I was second now. After an elderly lady engaged in a right old battle with her shopping cart, her groceries, her handbag and her loyalty card. This took an eternity. Once completed, she too got told a wonderful day. Definitely from the US. I might have verified it by making a witty remark to her, to check for that thing when they look at you, without a smile, and say with absolute sincerity: “That’s really funny.” But I couldn’t think of anything hilarious to utter.

In the end, I embraced the heartfelt tone – or an impersonation of it, essentially the same as no different – as she gazed straight at me, to my very core, and wished me to have a great day. It improved my mood. It was a good thing.