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It was a Sunday morning, and I found myself grumpy enough, topping off the family car. The location was one of those petrol stations that operates as a supermarket, meaning there's a chance of joining a queue shoppers with carts of slightly overpriced groceries. A terrible fate to happen when all you want is to pay for some fuel. Awful.

My position was fourth in the waiting line. Just one person serving, a young woman. Something stood out to her presence. After the ditherer at the front of the queue had completed payment for a cleaning product, his sausage roll, and his box of eggs, I could have sworn that I heard the cashier wish him to have a great day. Strange. Perhaps I’d misheard, or possibly she uttered it and meant it ironically. The thought crossed my mind if she might actually be an ally in the war on delays, echoing my disdain for individuals slowing down simple fuel-buyers like me.

Taking a step forward, to third in the queue. The next shopper of our line completed her gasoline purchase with notable efficiency. Once more it happened: “Wishing you a marvelous day.” No, actually, it was “have a wonderful day”. Someone from the US? At this location? Her tone suggested it, and hardly anyone here says to others such a cheerful phrase, or even just a nice day. Highly unusual. It's uncommon to find US citizens knocking around Stourbridge, certainly not holding jobs in fueling spots or other places.

Second in line at last. Following a senior shopper embroiled in a right old battle with her shopping cart, her purchases, her purse and her loyalty card. The process dragged on. Once completed, she as well received the wish an excellent day. Clearly an American. I might have verified it by saying something hilarious in her direction, to observe that reaction when they look at you, unsmilingly, and state very earnestly: “That’s really funny.” Yet no idea came of anything hilarious to utter.

In the end, I embraced the genuine warmth – or an impersonation of it, that equates to the same thing – as she gazed straight at me, deep into my soul, and wished me a wonderful day. My spirits lifted. A positive experience.