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The scene was a weekend morning, and I felt grumpy enough, refueling my mum’s car. The location was a typical gas station that operates as a supermarket, so you run the risk of joining a queue shoppers with carts of slightly overpriced groceries. A terrible fate to happen when the sole aim is to get gasoline and leave. Awful.

I was fourth among those waiting. There was only person serving, a youthful clerk. There was something unusual to her presence. After the ditherer at the first position had at last settled for a cleaning product, his pastry, and his box of eggs, I was certain that I heard the cashier bid him an excellent day. Odd. Maybe it was a mistake, or possibly she uttered it and was being sarcastic. I wondered if she could even be a supporter in my fight against faff, sharing my contempt for those who delay people just getting gas such as myself.

Taking a step forward, to third in the queue. The next shopper of the queue discharged her fuel-only transaction with commendable speed. Once more it happened: “I hope you have a fantastic day.” No, actually, it was “enjoy a truly great day”. Someone from the US? Here in Stourbridge? She had the accent, and no British person says to others such a cheerful phrase, or simply a good day. Quite out of place. You don’t get many Americans frequenting this area, certainly not employed at gas stations or anywhere else.

Second in line at last. Following a senior shopper engaged in a right old battle with her basket, her groceries, her purse and her loyalty card. The process dragged on. When she was done, the woman also was wished a wonderful day. Clearly an American. I could have confirmed it by cracking a joke at the cashier, to check for that thing their typical stare, unsmilingly, and say with absolute sincerity: “You are very amusing.” Yet no idea came of anything hilarious to say.

In the end, I embraced the genuine warmth – or an impersonation of it, that equates to no different – as she gazed directly into my eyes, to my very core, and bid me to have a great day. My spirits lifted. It was a good thing.