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The scene was a Sunday morning, and I felt in a foul mood, refueling my mother's vehicle. The location was one of those petrol stations that operates as a grocery store, meaning there's a chance of waiting behind customers carrying goods of pricey provisions. It's an awful situation to unfold when the sole aim is to get gasoline and leave. Terrible.

I was fourth among those waiting. There was only employee working, a young woman. A peculiar quality about her. When the faffer at the head of the line had completed payment for a cleaning product, his sausage roll, and his box of eggs, It seemed to me overhearing the cashier tell him an excellent day. Unusual. Perhaps I’d misheard, or maybe she did say it and was being sarcastic. The thought crossed my mind if she could even be a supporter in the war on delays, sharing my contempt for people who hold up straightforward customers including me.

I moved up, becoming the third customer. The next shopper of our line discharged her fuel-only transaction with notable efficiency. Again, the phrase came: “Have a wonderful day.” To be precise, it was “have a wonderful day”. Someone from the US? Here in Stourbridge? She had the accent, and no British person wishes anyone those exact words, or merely a pleasant day. Very rare. You don’t get people from America knocking around Stourbridge, and definitely not holding jobs in fueling spots or other places.

Now I stood second. After an elderly lady embroiled in a lengthy struggle with her shopping cart, her groceries, her handbag and her rewards card. It went on for ever. After she finished, she too was wished a wonderful day. Yes, American for sure. Confirming it was possible by cracking a joke at the cashier, to check for that thing their typical stare, without a smile, and say with absolute sincerity: “That’s really funny.” But I couldn’t think of anything hilarious to express.

In the end, I embraced for the absolute sincerity – or an impersonation of it, that equates to identical in effect – with which she looked straight at me, deep into my soul, and told me a wonderful day. My spirits lifted. A positive experience.