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It was a weekend morning, and I felt sufficiently irritable, filling up my mother's vehicle. This was one of those petrol stations that also functions as a grocery store, meaning there's a chance of waiting behind shoppers with carts of slightly overpriced groceries. It's an awful situation to occur when the sole aim is to complete a simple refueling. Terrible.

Fourth in line I stood in the waiting line. There was only employee working, a female attendant. A peculiar quality about her. Once the slowpoke at the head of the line had finally paid for his purchases, his sausage roll, and some breakfast items, I could have sworn overhearing the cashier tell him to have a great day. Strange. Perhaps I’d misheard, or possibly she uttered it and used a mocking tone. I pondered if perhaps she was an ally in my battle with dithering, echoing my disdain for people who hold up simple fuel-buyers including me.

Taking a step forward, 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 “may your day be absolutely splendid”. A stateside native? Here in Stourbridge? She had the accent, and no British person says to others such a cheerful phrase, or even just a nice day. Quite out of place. It's uncommon to find US citizens frequenting this area, and definitely not employed at gas stations or anywhere else.

Second in line at last. Behind a poor older woman embroiled in a right old battle with her basket, her food items, her purse and her membership pass. It went on for ever. When she was done, she as well was wished an excellent day. Definitely from the US. Confirming it was possible by saying something hilarious to her, to check for that reaction their typical stare, unsmilingly, and say with absolute sincerity: “That is quite humorous.” But I couldn’t think of anything hilarious to express.

I just had to settle the heartfelt tone – or an impersonation of it, essentially the same as identical in effect – with which she looked straight at me, deep into my soul, and told me an awesome day. It improved my mood. Beneficial indeed.