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It was a weekend morning, and I found myself in a foul mood, filling up my mother's vehicle. This was one of those petrol stations that operates as a convenience store, so you run the risk of waiting behind people bearing baskets of slightly overpriced groceries. A terrible fate to occur when the sole aim is to pay for some fuel. Dreadful.

I was fourth in the waiting line. A single person serving, a youthful clerk. There was something unusual to her presence. After the ditherer at the head of the line had completed payment for his Viakal, his sausage roll, and a carton of eggs, I could have sworn overhearing the cashier tell him to have a great day. Unusual. Maybe it was a mistake, or possibly she uttered it and was being sarcastic. I wondered if she could even be a supporter in my battle with dithering, reflecting my irritation for individuals slowing down people just getting gas such as myself.

I moved up, to third in the queue. The next shopper of our group finished pumping gas with impressive quickness. Again, the phrase came: “Wishing you a marvelous day.” In fact, it was “enjoy a truly great day”. A stateside native? In Stourbridge? Her tone suggested it, and few locals wishes anyone a wonderful day, or simply a good day. Quite out of place. You don’t get US citizens knocking around Stourbridge, and definitely not employed at gas stations or anywhere else.

I was second now. Behind a poor older woman dealing with a right old battle with her shopping cart, her food items, her wallet and her loyalty card. It went on for ever. When she was done, she too was wished a wonderful day. Clearly an American. I might have verified it by cracking a joke to her, to observe that reaction when they look at you, without a smile, and state very earnestly: “That’s really funny.” Yet no idea came of anything hilarious to utter.

I just had to settle the genuine warmth – or a performance of it, which amounts to identical in effect – while she stared me right in the eye, piercingly, and bid me to have a great day. I felt better for it. A positive experience.