# Eat my ass, I was here first and you didn't ask nicely **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 8, 2009, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eat-my-ass-i-was-here-first-and-you-didnt-ask-nicely/516757 "2009-11-08T02:55:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![sandra\_nz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eada6e/32.png) [@sandra\_nz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sandra_nz)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2009, 9:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eat-my-ass-i-was-here-first-and-you-didnt-ask-nicely/516757/21 "2009-11-08T09:09:34Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > The response in this thread confuses me. Why is everybody all of the sudden saying follow the rules, even if the guy is being a jerk? > > I mean, sure, it’s the right thing to do. But usually at least half of the thread disagrees. > > What’s so special about gas pumps? I guess we’ve all experienced the annoyance of being at the same gas station as a **pabstist**. ---
**Author:** ![bengangmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2009, 9:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eat-my-ass-i-was-here-first-and-you-didnt-ask-nicely/516757/22 "2009-11-08T09:51:38Z")
> [@Shakes](#): > > This has always irked me about gas pumps. How frick’n hard would it be to make a swing arm so you could pump on either side of the car? The pumps that I used in Malaysia, Singapore and New Zealand can all reach to either side of the car…so long as you are smart…if the fuller cap is on hte opposite side to the hose, just drive far enough forward so that the rear bumper is level with the hose - then it reaches (mostly) ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2009, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eat-my-ass-i-was-here-first-and-you-didnt-ask-nicely/516757/23 "2009-11-08T12:58:36Z")
I am in the minority. Had the person behind me blown his horn I would have done the same. As the OP said, I would have pulled forward on my own, but the horn would have pissed me off and I would have done the same. (OK, truth is, on any random day it could have gone _either_ way. But I certainly can see the driver catching me on a bad day and me thinking _piss off_.) I almost never use a horn and consider it to be rude. I actually did use it yesterday for the first time in a long long time (I actually had trouble finding it.) The person in front of me stopped at a green light. Holy fuck! I mean, it is my job to be sure that I’m following enough for every contingency, and thankfully I do, but what the fuck are you doing stopping when the light is green? This person was turning right. Most people I see often don’t come to a full stop on a \*red \*when they are turning right, why the fuck would you do so on a green? ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2009, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eat-my-ass-i-was-here-first-and-you-didnt-ask-nicely/516757/24 "2009-11-08T13:09:09Z")
In my experience there are generally great big signs that say “PULL TO NEXT PUMP, ASSHOLE.” (The “asshole” is silent.) Right next to “Turn off engine” and “Prepay after dark”. And who pays inside anyway? Also, now I want eggnog. ---
**Author:** ![EmAnJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@EmAnJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmAnJ)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2009, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eat-my-ass-i-was-here-first-and-you-didnt-ask-nicely/516757/25 "2009-11-08T15:38:11Z")
> [@Khadaji](#): > > .. people I see often don’t come to a full stop on a \*red \*when they are turning right, why the fuck would you do so on a green? I agree with the use of your horn in this situation, but perhaps they were looking for pedestrians, or maybe it was just one of those days. I’ve done the same, I was just distracted. I felt like an idiot myself, especially if someone was behind me, but I’d hope that didn’t ruin the other drivers day or anything. Honest mistake. ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2009, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eat-my-ass-i-was-here-first-and-you-didnt-ask-nicely/516757/26 "2009-11-08T16:04:44Z")
When they honk behind you, you saunter over and say (preferably in a drawl) “What’s up?, y’all okay? Everything alright?”. When they tell you how they want you to pull forward, you say, very reasonably “Sure thing, I was just about to do that when y’all honked, and I figured you were having some kinda emergency”. Then you smile, saunter back to the car, start it and slooooowly pull forward. This is very satisfying in this situation, because you’re being helpful and doing the right thing, however, it may be worthwhile to recognize the signs of stroke, just in case. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2009, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eat-my-ass-i-was-here-first-and-you-didnt-ask-nicely/516757/27 "2009-11-08T16:25:36Z")
> [@EmAnJ](#): > > I agree with the use of your horn in this situation, but perhaps they were looking for pedestrians, or maybe it was just one of those days. I’ve done the same, I was just distracted. I felt like an idiot myself, especially if someone was behind me, but I’d hope that didn’t ruin the other drivers day or anything. Honest mistake. In other words, that’s a perfectly appropriate time to honk. “Hey, dude, it’s green!” Not “Hey, dude, it turned green a microsecond ago!” I think a little honk is correct in this situation. ---
**Author:** ![EmAnJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@EmAnJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmAnJ)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2009, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eat-my-ass-i-was-here-first-and-you-didnt-ask-nicely/516757/28 "2009-11-08T16:27:00Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > In other words, that’s a perfectly appropriate time to honk. “Hey, dude, it’s green!” Not “Hey, dude, it turned green a microsecond ago!” I think a little honk is correct in this situation. Yup, I agree. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2009, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eat-my-ass-i-was-here-first-and-you-didnt-ask-nicely/516757/29 "2009-11-08T16:30:37Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > In other words, that’s a perfectly appropriate time to honk. “Hey, dude, it’s green!” Not “Hey, dude, it turned green a microsecond ago!” I think a little honk is correct in this situation. Yep. When people pull that **microsecond** thing. I sit there a good bit. If no one is behind them, I sit through the whole light cycle. If was I **watching** the light , it turned green, and you can’t wait the 1 second or less it takes me to move my foot from brake to gas…well fuck you. ---
**Author:** ![Poysyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Poysyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poysyn)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2009, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eat-my-ass-i-was-here-first-and-you-didnt-ask-nicely/516757/30 "2009-11-08T16:34:36Z")
> [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](#): > > When they honk behind you, you saunter over and say (preferably in a drawl) “What’s up?, y’all okay? Everything alright?”. When they tell you how they want you to pull forward, you say, very reasonably “Sure thing, I was just about to do that when y’all honked, and I figured you were having some kinda emergency”. Then you smile, saunter back to the car, start it and slooooowly pull forward. > > This is very satisfying in this situation, because you’re being helpful and doing the right thing, however, it may be worthwhile to recognize the signs of stroke, just in case. I love you… ---
**Author:** ![tacoloco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tacoloco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tacoloco)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2009, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eat-my-ass-i-was-here-first-and-you-didnt-ask-nicely/516757/31 "2009-11-08T16:40:06Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > The response in this thread confuses me. Why is everybody all of the sudden saying follow the rules, even if the guy is being a jerk? > > I mean, sure, it’s the right thing to do. But usually at least half of the thread disagrees. > > What’s so special about gas pumps? What’s so special about common sense and courtesy? ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2009, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eat-my-ass-i-was-here-first-and-you-didnt-ask-nicely/516757/32 "2009-11-08T16:44:48Z")
> [@tacoloco](#): > > What’s so special about common sense and courtesy? They’re like democracy. They can be taught by example, but they can only be defended by _reverse_ example. Democracy depends on the exercise of force by people trained to obedience. Courtesy depends on giving a good hard shock to people who fail to demonstrate it. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2009, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eat-my-ass-i-was-here-first-and-you-didnt-ask-nicely/516757/33 "2009-11-08T16:46:09Z")
> [@EmAnJ](#): > > I agree with the use of your horn in this situation, but perhaps they were looking for pedestrians, or maybe it was just one of those days. I’ve done the same, I was just distracted. I felt like an idiot myself, especially if someone was behind me \ In a city I would agree. At this intersection a pedestrian is not likely. Even so, I only tapped the horn the first time. When they continued to sit there I had to go 😕. If the car had stalled I would understand, but it was a cold morning and I could still see their exhaust. No one can really say what another is thinking, but it appeared as if the oncoming traffic turning in our direction frightened the driver and he/she stopped. Four or five cars that were coming towards us turned in front of us. Sometimes, when I’m \*waiting \*at a traffic light I’ll let an oncoming car turn before going forward, but I would never ever \*stop \*at a green light to do so. Most people are expecting traffic to flow through a green light. I am glad that my father taught me safe following distances, else I would likely have hit the vehicle. > [@EmAnJ](#): > > but I’d hope that didn’t ruin the other drivers day or anything. Honest mistake. This is an implied extension to one of my “mantras”. Usually I ask myself “Did it _really_ change the quality of your life?” If the answer is no, I try to let it go. I spent too much of my foolish youth being angry for silly things. I think I’m happier now that I am less angry. I grumbled to myself for about half a mile before reminding myself: Did it really change the quality of your life? ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2009, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eat-my-ass-i-was-here-first-and-you-didnt-ask-nicely/516757/34 "2009-11-08T16:47:13Z")
Wow. Lots of passive aggression going on here. You would block a traffic control device? I’m pretty sure that you would or could get a ticket for that. **pabstist**. When you pull up to a gas island, you need to pull up to the last pump available. I don’t understand why this is a difficult concept for you. I’m stunned that this is not just common sense. Or perhaps (and this is what it sounds like) you just like to fuck with people and show them that YOU are in control. Nice guy. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2009, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eat-my-ass-i-was-here-first-and-you-didnt-ask-nicely/516757/35 "2009-11-08T17:05:33Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Wow. Lots of passive aggression going on here. You would block a traffic control device? I’m pretty sure that you would or could get a ticket for that. > > **pabstist**. When you pull up to a gas island, you need to pull up to the last pump available. I don’t understand why this is a difficult concept for you. > > I’m stunned that this is not just common sense. Or perhaps (and this is what it sounds like) you just like to fuck with people and show them that YOU are in control. Nice guy. I think you may be being unduly harsh. \*\* pabstist \*\*has not said that this was a difficult concept for him. Just as \*\*EmAnJ \*\*was willing to give the guy stopping at a green light the benefit of the doubt for not paying attention, I think we can say that \*\*pabstist \*\*may usually pull up _and in fact has stated_ he was \*going \*to pull up and only reacted to the non-passive aggression displayed by the driver behind. There is no reason to paint him as person who likes to fuck with people (unless he has a history of these types of posts?) ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2009, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eat-my-ass-i-was-here-first-and-you-didnt-ask-nicely/516757/36 "2009-11-08T17:15:02Z")
IMO horns are for emergencies only. Impatient assholes using them is doubly bad. And honking more than once is triply bad. I am sure the guy or gal heard you first damn time. If they don’t go after the first honk, they probably have a reason for not going RIGHT NOW. I ran acroos a situation about a month ago. Some asshole was laying on the horn because some poor guys car had stalled out and he WAS TRYING TO PUSH the car through the intersection by hand. I jumped out an helped. I hope karma bites that other guy in the ass bigtime someday. And don’t even get me started on the retards that are in the back of a long traffic jam just honking for the hell of it apparently. ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2009, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eat-my-ass-i-was-here-first-and-you-didnt-ask-nicely/516757/37 "2009-11-08T17:22:21Z")
> [@Poysyn](#): > > I love you… You might not if you were in a hurry to get gas. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2009, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eat-my-ass-i-was-here-first-and-you-didnt-ask-nicely/516757/38 "2009-11-08T17:31:04Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > The response in this thread confuses me. Why is everybody all of the sudden saying follow the rules, even if the guy is being a jerk? > > I mean, sure, it’s the right thing to do. But usually at least half of the thread disagrees. > > What’s so special about gas pumps? The problem is, the OP had stopped at the first pump, instead of pulling forward in the first place. Almost everyone has to gas up now and then on a regular basis, and so we tend to run into those people who can’t be bothered to pull up to the last pump, which means that everyone else has to reposition the cars because ONE PERSON won’t follow the established guidelines. Had the OP just pulled forward, without even stopping at the back pump, none of this would have happened. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2009, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eat-my-ass-i-was-here-first-and-you-didnt-ask-nicely/516757/39 "2009-11-08T17:37:10Z")
> [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](#): > > When they honk behind you, you saunter over and say (preferably in a drawl) “What’s up?, y’all okay? Everything alright?”. When they tell you how they want you to pull forward, you say, very reasonably “Sure thing, I was just about to do that when y’all honked, and I figured you were having some kinda emergency”. Then you smile, saunter back to the car, start it and slooooowly pull forward. And now here’s the same scenario, with **VT’s Realism Mod** applied: When they honk behind you, you saunter over and say (preferably in a drawl) “What’s up? y’all OH MY GOD I’VE BEEN _ **SHOT** _!!!” ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2009, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eat-my-ass-i-was-here-first-and-you-didnt-ask-nicely/516757/40 "2009-11-08T17:37:57Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > The problem is, the OP had stopped at the first pump, instead of pulling forward in the first place. Almost everyone has to gas up now and then on a regular basis, and so we tend to run into those people who can’t be bothered to pull up to the last pump, which means that everyone else has to reposition the cars because ONE PERSON won’t follow the established guidelines. > > Had the OP just pulled forward, without even stopping at the back pump, none of this would have happened. True enough. Having said that I will often **pause** at the first pump for a one of several reasons. Does the second pump also have the type of gas that I want that the first one has ? Is the second pump working ? And finally I am lined up well enough with the pumps so I can open the door without difficulty ? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eat-my-ass-i-was-here-first-and-you-didnt-ask-nicely/516757.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eat-my-ass-i-was-here-first-and-you-didnt-ask-nicely/516757.md?page=3)