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It was a weekend morning, and I was sufficiently irritable, topping off my mum’s car. The location was a typical gas station that also functions as a grocery store, meaning there's a chance of waiting behind customers carrying goods of somewhat expensive items. It's an awful situation to unfold when your only desire is to complete a simple refueling. Awful.

Fourth in line I stood in the waiting line. Just one person serving, a young woman. A peculiar quality to her presence. After the ditherer at the front of the queue had completed payment for his purchases, his pastry, and a carton of eggs, I could have sworn I heard the cashier tell him to have a great day. Unusual. Maybe it was a mistake, or maybe she did say it and was being sarcastic. The thought crossed my mind if she might actually be a comrade in my fight against faff, sharing my contempt for individuals slowing down people just getting gas such as myself.

Advancing next, now third in line. The person ahead of our line finished pumping gas with impressive quickness. And there it was again: “Wishing you a marvelous day.” To be precise, it was “may your day be absolutely splendid”. Someone from the US? In Stourbridge? Her tone suggested it, and hardly anyone here says to others such a cheerful phrase, or even just a nice day. Quite out of place. You don’t get US citizens knocking around Stourbridge, and definitely not working in petrol stations or other places.

Second in line at last. After an elderly lady dealing with a right old battle with her carryall, her food items, her handbag and her loyalty card. The process dragged on. After she finished, the woman also was wished a wonderful day. Yes, American for sure. I could have confirmed it by making a witty remark in her direction, to see if she did that response when they look at you, without a smile, and state very earnestly: “That’s really funny.” But I couldn’t think of a jest to express.

Ultimately, I accepted the genuine warmth – or a performance of it, essentially the same as no different – as she gazed straight at me, piercingly, and bid me an awesome day. I felt better for it. Beneficial indeed.