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This occurred on a Sunday morning, and I was sufficiently irritable, topping off my mother's vehicle. It was a typical gas station that doubles as a supermarket, so you run the risk of ending up in line people bearing baskets of slightly overpriced groceries. This is a dreadful thing to occur when the sole aim is to pay for some fuel. Dreadful.

I was fourth among those waiting. There was only cashier operating, a female attendant. There was something unusual in her demeanor. When the faffer at the first position had finally paid for his Viakal, his sausage roll, and a carton of eggs, I was certain overhearing the cashier wish him an excellent day. Strange. Maybe it was a mistake, or perhaps she spoke and was being sarcastic. The thought crossed my mind if she might actually be an ally in my battle with dithering, reflecting my irritation for people who hold up straightforward customers such as myself.

Taking a step forward, to third in the queue. The new leader of our group 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”. A stateside native? In Stourbridge? The pronunciation indicated it, and few locals wishes anyone a wonderful day, or merely a pleasant day. Highly unusual. You don’t get many Americans knocking around Stourbridge, and definitely not working in petrol stations or elsewhere.

I was second now. Behind a poor older woman engaged in a right old battle with her shopping cart, her purchases, her wallet and her rewards card. This took an eternity. After she finished, the woman also got told to have a fantastic day. Definitely from the US. I might have verified it by making a witty remark at the cashier, to see if she did that reaction their typical stare, stoically, and say with absolute sincerity: “That is quite humorous.” However, nothing occurred of anything hilarious to say.

Ultimately, I accepted for the absolute sincerity – or an impersonation of it, which amounts to the same thing – as she gazed straight at me, piercingly, and bid me to have a great day. I felt better for it. It was a good thing.