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It was a Sunday morning, and I felt grumpy enough, topping off the family car. It was one of those petrol stations that doubles as a supermarket, meaning there's a chance of joining a queue customers carrying goods of pricey provisions. A terrible fate to unfold when your only desire is to pay for some fuel. Dreadful.

I was fourth in the queue. Just one person serving, a youthful clerk. There was something unusual in her demeanor. When the faffer at the head of the line had completed payment for a cleaning product, a baked snack, and some breakfast items, I could have sworn overhearing the cashier wish him a wonderful day. Strange. Could be I misunderstood, or maybe she did say it and was being sarcastic. The thought crossed my mind if perhaps she was a comrade in my fight against faff, sharing my contempt for individuals slowing down straightforward customers such as myself.

Taking a step forward, now third in line. The new leader of our group discharged her fuel-only transaction with commendable speed. Again, the phrase came: “I hope you have a fantastic day.” To be precise, it was “may your day be absolutely splendid”. An American? At this location? Her tone suggested it, and hardly anyone here says to others a wonderful day, or even just a nice day. Very rare. You don’t get many Americans knocking around Stourbridge, certainly not working in petrol stations or other places.

Now I stood second. After an elderly lady embroiled in a protracted effort with her carryall, her groceries, her wallet and her rewards card. This took an eternity. When she was done, the woman also received the wish a wonderful day. Definitely from the US. I might have verified it by cracking a joke to her, to check for that thing as they gaze at you, stoically, and say with absolute sincerity: “That is quite humorous.” However, nothing occurred of anything hilarious to express.

In the end, I embraced for the absolute sincerity – or an impersonation of it, which amounts to the same thing – with which she looked directly into my eyes, to my very core, and told me to have a great day. I felt better for it. A positive experience.