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This occurred on a weekend morning, and I found myself in a foul mood, filling up the family car. The location was one of those petrol stations that doubles as a grocery store, meaning there's a chance of waiting behind customers carrying goods of somewhat expensive items. A terrible fate to occur when your only desire is to complete a simple refueling. Awful.

I was fourth among those waiting. Just one person serving, a female attendant. A peculiar quality to her presence. After the ditherer at the first position had completed payment for a cleaning product, his sausage roll, and a carton of eggs, It seemed to me overhearing the cashier tell him an excellent day. Strange. Could be I misunderstood, or maybe she did say it and was being sarcastic. I pondered if she might actually be a comrade in my fight against faff, echoing my disdain for individuals slowing down simple fuel-buyers including me.

Taking a step forward, now third in line. The next shopper of our group finished pumping gas with notable efficiency. And there it was again: “I hope you have a fantastic day.” No, actually, it was “enjoy a truly great day”. A stateside native? In Stourbridge? Her tone suggested it, and no British person wishes anyone such a cheerful phrase, or even just a nice day. Highly unusual. It's uncommon to find people from America knocking around Stourbridge, least of all holding jobs in fueling spots or elsewhere.

Second in line at last. Behind a poor older woman engaged in a lengthy struggle with her shopping cart, her groceries, her purse and her loyalty card. This took an eternity. When she was done, she as well received the wish a wonderful day. Definitely from the US. I might have verified it by saying something hilarious to her, to observe that thing when they look at you, stoically, and state very earnestly: “You are very amusing.” Yet no idea came of a jest to utter.

In the end, I embraced the genuine warmth – or a performance of it, which amounts to no different – as she gazed me right in the eye, to my very core, and told me a wonderful day. I felt better for it. A positive experience.