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This occurred on a weekend morning, and I felt in a foul mood, filling up the family car. This was a common fuel stop that doubles as a convenience store, meaning there's a chance of ending up in line shoppers with carts of pricey provisions. A terrible fate to unfold when your only desire is to get gasoline and leave. Awful.

Fourth in line I stood in the waiting line. Just one employee working, a female attendant. A peculiar quality to her presence. Once the slowpoke at the front of the queue had at last settled for his Viakal, his sausage roll, and some breakfast items, I was certain I heard the cashier bid him an excellent day. Unusual. Could be I misunderstood, or possibly she uttered it and used a mocking tone. I pondered if she might actually be a comrade in my battle with dithering, echoing my disdain for those who delay simple fuel-buyers such as myself.

I moved up, to third in the queue. The new leader of the queue completed her gasoline purchase with commendable speed. Once more it happened: “Wishing you a marvelous day.” No, actually, it was “may your day be absolutely splendid”. An American? Here in Stourbridge? She had the accent, and no British person says to others those exact words, or merely a pleasant day. Very rare. Rarely does one encounter people from America frequenting this area, and definitely not working in petrol stations or other places.

Second in line at last. After an elderly lady engaged in a lengthy struggle with her shopping cart, her food items, her purse and her rewards card. The process dragged on. After she finished, she too got told to have a fantastic day. Yes, American for sure. Confirming it was possible by cracking a joke to her, to observe that thing when they look at you, stoically, and reply with genuine earnest: “That’s really funny.” However, nothing occurred of a funny comment to express.

I just had to settle the heartfelt tone – or a performance of it, which amounts to identical in effect – with which she looked me right in the eye, to my very core, and told me an awesome day. I felt better for it. It was a good thing.