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This occurred on a weekend morning, and I found myself grumpy enough, refueling my mum’s car. The location was a typical gas station that doubles as a grocery store, so you run the risk of joining a queue people bearing baskets of slightly overpriced groceries. This is a dreadful thing to happen when your only desire is to pay for some fuel. Terrible.

I was fourth in the waiting line. Just one cashier operating, a female attendant. Something stood out in her demeanor. When the faffer at the front of the queue had finally paid for his purchases, a baked snack, and a carton of eggs, I was certain I heard the cashier tell him an excellent day. Odd. Perhaps I’d misheard, or maybe she did say it and was being sarcastic. I pondered if she might actually be an ally in my fight against faff, sharing my contempt for those who delay people just getting gas like me.

I moved up, becoming the third customer. The next shopper of our line discharged her fuel-only transaction with impressive quickness. And there it was again: “I hope you have a fantastic day.” In fact, it was “may your day be absolutely splendid”. An American? Here in Stourbridge? She had the accent, and no British person tells people such a cheerful phrase, or merely a pleasant day. Highly unusual. Rarely does one encounter people from America visiting this town, least of all employed at gas stations or elsewhere.

I was second now. Following a senior shopper dealing with a protracted effort with her carryall, her food items, her purse and her membership pass. It went on for ever. When she was done, the woman also received the wish an excellent day. Clearly an American. I might have verified it by cracking a joke to her, to see if she did that reaction when they look at you, unsmilingly, and say with absolute sincerity: “That’s really funny.” Yet no idea came of a funny comment to express.

I just had to settle the heartfelt tone – or an impersonation of it, which amounts to no different – while she stared directly into my eyes, deep into my soul, and wished me to have a great day. I felt better for it. A positive experience.