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This occurred on a weekend morning, and I found myself grumpy enough, filling up the family car. The location was a typical gas station that doubles as a supermarket, meaning there's a chance of waiting behind customers carrying goods of somewhat expensive items. This is a dreadful thing to occur when your only desire is to complete a simple refueling. Terrible.

I was fourth in the queue. A single person serving, a female attendant. A peculiar quality to her presence. When the faffer at the head of the line had at last settled for his Viakal, his pastry, and his box of eggs, I was certain that I heard the cashier wish him an excellent day. Unusual. Could be I misunderstood, or perhaps she spoke and used a mocking tone. The thought crossed my mind if she might actually be a comrade in my battle with dithering, echoing my disdain for individuals slowing down simple fuel-buyers such as myself.

I moved up, now third in line. The next shopper of our group finished pumping gas 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”. An American? In Stourbridge? She had the accent, and hardly anyone here says to others those exact words, or merely a pleasant day. Highly unusual. You don’t get US citizens frequenting this area, least of all working in petrol stations or anywhere else.

Second in line at last. Following a senior shopper engaged in a right old battle with her shopping cart, her food items, her wallet and her loyalty card. The process dragged on. When she was done, she too was wished a wonderful day. Definitely from the US. Confirming it was possible by cracking a joke at the cashier, to see if she did that reaction when they look at you, unsmilingly, and reply with genuine earnest: “That’s really funny.” Yet no idea came of a funny comment to express.

Ultimately, I accepted the genuine warmth – or a performance of it, essentially the same as the same thing – with which she looked me right in the eye, to my very core, and told me a wonderful day. I felt better for it. Beneficial indeed.