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It was a day of rest, and I found myself sufficiently irritable, filling up the family car. It was a typical gas station that doubles as a convenience store, meaning there's a chance of ending up in line customers carrying goods of slightly overpriced groceries. It's an awful situation to happen when all you want is to pay for some fuel. Terrible.

My position was fourth among those waiting. Just one person serving, a youthful clerk. A peculiar quality to her presence. When the faffer at the head of the line had finally paid for his Viakal, a baked snack, and a carton of eggs, I was certain overhearing the cashier bid him an excellent day. Strange. Maybe it was a mistake, or maybe she did say it and meant it ironically. I pondered if perhaps she was a supporter in my battle with dithering, echoing my disdain for individuals slowing down simple fuel-buyers including me.

I moved up, to third in the queue. The next shopper of the queue discharged her fuel-only transaction with impressive quickness. Again, the phrase came: “Wishing you a marvelous day.” In fact, it was “enjoy a truly great day”. An American? Here in Stourbridge? She had the accent, and hardly anyone here wishes anyone those exact words, or simply a good day. Quite out of place. It's uncommon to find people from America knocking around Stourbridge, and definitely not employed at gas stations or other places.

Now I stood second. Behind a poor older woman engaged in a right old battle with her shopping cart, her purchases, her handbag and her loyalty card. It went on for ever. When she was done, the woman also received the wish an excellent day. Definitely from the US. I could have confirmed it by making a witty remark at the cashier, to check for that response their typical stare, unsmilingly, and reply with genuine earnest: “You are very amusing.” Yet no idea came of anything hilarious to say.

In the end, I embraced the genuine warmth – or a performance of it, essentially the same as no different – with which she looked straight at me, piercingly, and wished me a wonderful day. I felt better for it. Beneficial indeed.