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It was a Sunday morning, and I felt sufficiently irritable, filling up the family car. The location was one of those petrol stations that doubles as a supermarket, so you run the risk of waiting behind people bearing baskets of somewhat expensive items. A terrible fate to unfold when all you want is to get gasoline and leave. Dreadful.

Fourth in line I stood among those waiting. There was only person serving, a youthful clerk. A peculiar quality about her. After the ditherer at the first position had finally paid for his Viakal, his pastry, and some breakfast items, It seemed to me I heard the cashier tell him an excellent day. Odd. Maybe it was a mistake, or possibly she uttered it and was being sarcastic. The thought crossed my mind if she might actually be an ally in my battle with dithering, sharing my contempt for people who hold up straightforward customers such as myself.

I moved up, to third in the queue. The next shopper of the queue completed her gasoline purchase with commendable speed. Again, the phrase came: “I hope you have a fantastic day.” In fact, it was “have a wonderful day”. A stateside native? Here in Stourbridge? Her tone suggested it, and hardly anyone here wishes anyone those exact words, or even just a nice day. Quite out of place. Rarely does one encounter many Americans visiting this town, least of all holding jobs in fueling spots or other places.

I was second now. Following a senior shopper engaged in a lengthy struggle with her shopping cart, her groceries, her handbag and her loyalty card. The process dragged on. Once completed, she too got told an excellent day. Yes, American for sure. I might have verified it by saying something hilarious at the cashier, to see if she did that response their typical stare, stoically, and state very earnestly: “You are very amusing.” But I couldn’t think of a jest to say.

Ultimately, I accepted the genuine warmth – or a performance of it, which amounts to the same thing – with which she looked straight at me, piercingly, and wished me to have a great day. I felt better for it. Beneficial indeed.