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It was a Sunday morning, and I felt grumpy enough, topping off the family car. The location was a typical gas station that doubles as a grocery store, which often leads of waiting behind customers carrying goods of pricey provisions. It's an awful situation to happen when all you want is to get gasoline and leave. Dreadful.

My position was fourth in the queue. A single cashier operating, a young woman. There was something unusual in her demeanor. After the ditherer at the head of the line had completed payment for a cleaning product, his pastry, and his box of eggs, I could have sworn I heard the cashier bid him to have a great day. Odd. Could be I misunderstood, or perhaps she spoke and was being sarcastic. The thought crossed my mind if she might actually be a supporter in my battle with dithering, sharing my contempt for individuals slowing down simple fuel-buyers like me.

I moved up, now third in line. The next shopper of our line completed her gasoline purchase with impressive quickness. And there it was again: “I hope you have a fantastic day.” To be precise, it was “have a wonderful day”. An American? At this location? The pronunciation indicated 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 visiting this town, certainly not employed at gas stations or anywhere else.

Now I stood second. After an elderly lady embroiled in a right old battle with her shopping cart, her food items, her purse and her membership pass. It went on for ever. After she finished, she too got told a wonderful day. Clearly an American. I might have verified it by making a witty remark at the cashier, to observe that thing when they look at you, stoically, and state very earnestly: “You are very amusing.” But I couldn’t think of a funny comment to express.

I just had to settle for the absolute sincerity – or a performance of it, which amounts to identical in effect – with which she looked straight at me, to my very core, and wished me a wonderful day. My spirits lifted. Beneficial indeed.