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It was a day of rest, and I was sufficiently irritable, filling up my mum’s car. The location was a common fuel stop that doubles as a convenience store, which often leads of waiting behind customers carrying goods of pricey provisions. It's an awful situation to occur when all you want is to pay for some fuel. Terrible.

My position was fourth among those waiting. Just one cashier operating, a young woman. A peculiar quality to her presence. When the faffer at the front of the queue had finally paid for a cleaning product, his pastry, and a carton of eggs, I was certain that I heard the cashier tell him to have a great day. Unusual. Perhaps I’d misheard, or perhaps she spoke and was being sarcastic. I wondered if perhaps she was a comrade in my fight against faff, reflecting my irritation for individuals slowing down simple fuel-buyers including me.

I moved up, becoming the third customer. The next shopper of our line completed her gasoline purchase with commendable speed. Once more it happened: “Have a wonderful day.” To be precise, it was “may your day be absolutely splendid”. Someone from the US? Here in Stourbridge? The pronunciation indicated it, and hardly anyone here says to others a wonderful day, or even just a nice day. Highly unusual. Rarely does one encounter people from America visiting this town, and definitely not working in petrol stations or elsewhere.

Now I stood second. After an elderly lady dealing with a right old battle with her basket, her food items, her handbag and her rewards card. The process dragged on. When she was done, she as well got told a wonderful day. Clearly an American. I could have confirmed it by making a witty remark in her direction, to check for that reaction their typical stare, unsmilingly, and state very earnestly: “That’s really funny.” Yet no idea came of a funny comment to express.

Ultimately, I accepted the heartfelt tone – or an impersonation of it, that equates to the same thing – with which she looked me right in the eye, deep into my soul, and wished me to have a great day. My spirits lifted. Beneficial indeed.