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The scene was a weekend morning, and I felt in a foul mood, filling up my mum’s car. The location was one of those petrol stations that operates as a supermarket, meaning there's a chance of joining a queue customers carrying goods of slightly overpriced groceries. This is a dreadful thing to happen when the sole aim is to pay for some fuel. Awful.

I was fourth in the queue. There was only person serving, a female attendant. A peculiar quality about her. Once the slowpoke at the first position had completed payment for a cleaning product, a baked snack, and his box of eggs, It seemed to me I heard the cashier wish him a wonderful day. Odd. Could be I misunderstood, or perhaps she spoke and used a mocking tone. I pondered if she might actually be a comrade in my fight against faff, reflecting my irritation for those who delay simple fuel-buyers including me.

Taking a step forward, now third in line. The next shopper of our line finished pumping gas with impressive quickness. Again, the phrase came: “Wishing you a marvelous day.” To be precise, it was “may your day be absolutely splendid”. A stateside native? In Stourbridge? Her tone suggested it, and no British person says to others those exact words, or merely a pleasant day. Quite out of place. 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. Behind a poor older woman engaged in a lengthy struggle with her basket, her purchases, her handbag and her rewards card. This took an eternity. When she was done, she as well was wished an excellent day. Definitely from the US. I could have confirmed it by saying something hilarious to her, to see if she did that thing as they gaze at you, without a smile, and say with absolute sincerity: “That is quite humorous.” However, nothing occurred of a jest to say.

In the end, I embraced the heartfelt tone – or an impersonation of it, that equates to the same thing – while she stared straight at me, piercingly, and bid me an awesome day. It improved my mood. A positive experience.