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It was a weekend morning, and I found myself grumpy enough, filling up my mother's vehicle. The location was one of those petrol stations that also functions as a grocery store, so you run the risk of ending up in line customers carrying goods of somewhat expensive items. This is a dreadful thing to happen when your only desire is to pay for some fuel. Dreadful.

I was fourth among those waiting. Just one cashier operating, a youthful clerk. There was something unusual about her. Once the slowpoke at the front of the queue had completed payment for his Viakal, his sausage roll, and a carton of eggs, I was certain that I heard the cashier bid him a wonderful day. Strange. Perhaps I’d misheard, or maybe she did say it and meant it ironically. I wondered if she might actually be a comrade in the war on delays, echoing my disdain for people who hold up simple fuel-buyers such as myself.

I moved up, now third in line. The person ahead of our group finished pumping gas with impressive quickness. Once more it happened: “I hope you have a fantastic day.” To be precise, it was “may your day be absolutely splendid”. Someone from the US? In Stourbridge? Her tone suggested it, and hardly anyone here says to others such a cheerful phrase, or simply a good day. Very rare. It's uncommon to find many Americans visiting this town, and definitely not employed at gas stations or other places.

Second in line at last. Behind a poor older woman dealing with a protracted effort with her carryall, her food items, her wallet and her membership pass. It went on for ever. After she finished, she as well was wished to have a fantastic day. Definitely from the US. I could have confirmed it by cracking a joke at the cashier, to observe that reaction as they gaze at you, without a smile, and say with absolute sincerity: “You are very amusing.” Yet no idea came of a funny comment to utter.

In the end, I embraced for the absolute sincerity – or a mimicry of sincerity, essentially the same as identical in effect – while she stared me right in the eye, to my very core, and told me to have a great day. My spirits lifted. A positive experience.