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It was a Sunday morning, and I found myself sufficiently irritable, filling up the family car. The location was one of those petrol stations that operates as a grocery store, which often leads of ending up in line shoppers with carts of slightly overpriced groceries. It's an awful situation to occur when your only desire is to complete a simple refueling. Terrible.

Fourth in line I stood among those waiting. There was only person serving, a young woman. A peculiar quality to her presence. After the ditherer at the front of the queue had completed payment for a cleaning product, a baked snack, and some breakfast items, It seemed to me overhearing the cashier wish him an excellent day. Strange. Could be I misunderstood, or possibly she uttered it and used a mocking tone. The thought crossed my mind if she could even be an ally in the war on delays, sharing my contempt for individuals slowing down simple fuel-buyers like me.

I moved up, becoming the third customer. The next shopper of the queue completed her gasoline purchase with impressive quickness. Once more it happened: “Wishing you a marvelous day.” In fact, it was “enjoy a truly great day”. A stateside native? Here in Stourbridge? She had the accent, and hardly anyone here wishes anyone such a cheerful phrase, or even just a nice day. Highly unusual. You don’t get many Americans frequenting this area, certainly not employed at gas stations or elsewhere.

Now I stood second. After an elderly lady dealing with a lengthy struggle with her basket, her groceries, her handbag and her rewards card. It went on for ever. Once completed, the woman also got told an excellent day. Definitely from the US. I could have confirmed it by making a witty remark in her direction, to see if she did that thing their typical stare, stoically, and reply with genuine earnest: “You are very amusing.” Yet no idea came of a funny comment to express.

I just had to settle the genuine warmth – or a mimicry of sincerity, which amounts to identical in effect – with which she looked directly into my eyes, deep into my soul, and wished me to have a great day. I felt better for it. Beneficial indeed.