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This occurred on a day of rest, and I found myself in a foul mood, topping off my mum’s car. This was a typical gas station that operates as a supermarket, so you run the risk of ending up in line people bearing baskets of slightly overpriced groceries. A terrible fate to unfold when the sole aim is to pay for some fuel. Dreadful.

Fourth in line I stood in the queue. A single employee working, a youthful clerk. There was something unusual in her demeanor. When the faffer at the first position had at last settled for a cleaning product, a baked snack, and some breakfast items, I was certain I heard the cashier tell him to have a great day. Strange. Maybe it was a mistake, or possibly she uttered it and meant it ironically. I pondered if she might actually be an ally in my battle with dithering, sharing my contempt for individuals slowing down straightforward customers like me.

Taking a step forward, to third in the queue. The next shopper of the queue finished pumping gas with impressive quickness. Again, the phrase came: “Wishing you a marvelous day.” To be precise, it was “may your day be absolutely splendid”. Someone from the US? Here in Stourbridge? The pronunciation indicated it, and few locals says to others a wonderful day, or merely a pleasant day. Quite out of place. You don’t get people from America knocking around Stourbridge, least of all working in petrol stations or other places.

Now I stood second. Following a senior shopper engaged in a lengthy struggle with her carryall, her groceries, her wallet and her loyalty card. This took an eternity. After she finished, the woman also received the wish to have a fantastic day. Yes, American for sure. Confirming it was possible by cracking a joke at the cashier, to check for that response their typical stare, without a smile, and say with absolute sincerity: “That’s really funny.” Yet no idea came of anything hilarious to express.

I just had to settle the genuine warmth – or a mimicry of sincerity, essentially the same as the same thing – with which she looked straight at me, piercingly, and bid me a wonderful day. I felt better for it. Beneficial indeed.