# Fucking TV screens shoving ads in my face AT THE GAS PUMPS **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 27, 2008, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-tv-screens-shoving-ads-in-my-face-at-the-gas-pumps/439391 "2008-02-27T17:07:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2008, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-tv-screens-shoving-ads-in-my-face-at-the-gas-pumps/439391/81 "2008-02-29T16:58:50Z")
I would think a can of spray-on snow would work nicely. Not sure what to do about the noise though. EMP? ---
**Author:** ![neutron\_star](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/51bf81/32.png) [@neutron\_star](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neutron_star)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2008, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-tv-screens-shoving-ads-in-my-face-at-the-gas-pumps/439391/82 "2008-02-29T17:35:02Z")
LCD screens and X-acto knives don’t mix. That has absolutely nothing to do with this thread; I’m just throwing it out there. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2008, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-tv-screens-shoving-ads-in-my-face-at-the-gas-pumps/439391/83 "2008-02-29T17:53:36Z")
[QUOTE=featherlou] I think that’s definitely part of it; I’ve stopped donating to a local homeless charity because they wouldn’t stop marketing to me, after I explicitly asked them to. I didn’t appreciate being treated like a walking wallet. [/QUOTE] No soup for those bastards. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2008, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-tv-screens-shoving-ads-in-my-face-at-the-gas-pumps/439391/84 "2008-02-29T18:09:27Z")
[QUOTE=lieu] Tell me again how pissing on the glassware we’re about to use helps deter ubiquitous ads? [/QUOTE] Hey, I’m a chick and pissing up there where the glasses are kept ain’t even in the cards for me, what with not having a riot hose attachment and all. Chalk it up to a failure of imagination on my part but I was figuring on just getting the floor wet. All I’m saying is there just HAS to be somewhere that’s free of distractions where a person can take care of bidness in peace and quiet. Pervasive advertising makes people crazy, I think, and those who insist on making it more and more pervasive are just going to have to accept that crazy people do crazy things. If you want to expand your business via intrusive advertising you’re just going to have to accept that there might be unforeseen consequences and subsequent costs. The only method that convinces bean counters to stop doing something horrible is to show them emphatically and empirically that the cost is too high and outweighs the benefit. Like pee soaked carpets in restaurants that install bathroom ad TVs. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2008, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-tv-screens-shoving-ads-in-my-face-at-the-gas-pumps/439391/85 "2008-02-29T18:41:08Z")
[QUOTE=SmartAleq] The only method that convinces bean counters to stop doing something horrible is to show them emphatically and empirically that the cost is too high and outweighs the benefit. Like pee soaked carpets in restaurants that install bathroom ad TVs. [/QUOTE] So when we don’t like something, we can show the bean counters how we feel by peeing on your feet? ---
**Author:** ![saoirse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@saoirse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saoirse)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2008, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-tv-screens-shoving-ads-in-my-face-at-the-gas-pumps/439391/86 "2008-02-29T18:55:48Z")
[QUOTE=red\_awning] Actually Liberal I thought the same thing at first. I mean, its a gas station, not a church. [/QUOTE] That I wouldn’t mind so much. I’m thinking “The Paychex[sup]®[/sup] Cathedral at Sacred Heart.” ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2008, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-tv-screens-shoving-ads-in-my-face-at-the-gas-pumps/439391/87 "2008-02-29T19:54:25Z")
[QUOTE=Liberal] So when we don’t like something, we can show the bean counters how we feel by peeing on your feet? [/QUOTE] Dude, I’ve spent a LOT of years in customer service–what exactly do you think the function of the CS worker is, if not as a metaphorical pee sponge? Yes, that is EXACTLY what happens–the bean counters do stupid things, the customers piss on the CS agent’s shoes, the agents tell the bean counters what happened and they change the policy so’s not to lose money. It’s how things work. This may not be fair, or nice, or even hygienic, but it IS real. Mau-Mauing the flak catchers is a time honored tradition and it will remain an effective method of redress for stupid policies up until the time when the muckety mucks deign to actually experience the results of their shitty policies themselves, in person. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2008, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-tv-screens-shoving-ads-in-my-face-at-the-gas-pumps/439391/88 "2008-02-29T20:00:20Z")
[QUOTE=SmartAleq] \ it will remain an effective method of redress for stupid policies up until the time when the muckety mucks deign to actually experience the results of their shitty policies themselves, in person. [/QUOTE] I’m not holding my water for that day. I thought of something for the screens in the toilets - wet toilet paper applied liberally to the screen. With water from the toilet - your choice whether you use pre- or post-pee water. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2008, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-tv-screens-shoving-ads-in-my-face-at-the-gas-pumps/439391/89 "2008-02-29T20:14:13Z")
[QUOTE=featherlou] I’m not holding my water for that day. [/QUOTE] Yeah, me neither. I’ve had fantasies, though, of the entire slate of officers of major corporations being forced to stand in public squares with barrels of flowers and barrels of shit placed all around–the public then gets to express their opinion of that company’s corporate polices via flung barrel contents. 😃 I’m waiting for Microsoft Day! ---
**Author:** ![Khampelf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Khampelf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khampelf)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2008, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-tv-screens-shoving-ads-in-my-face-at-the-gas-pumps/439391/90 "2008-02-29T20:21:22Z")
[QUOTE=Mr Bus Guy] Usually I watch, but if it annoys you so much, use the time to wash your windshield, or throw the trash out that’s sitting on the floor of your car or something? [/QUOTE] Actually, MBG, while you’re filling your car with gas, it’s best if you’re there at the handle making sure it doesn’t fall out and spew gas, or something. I live in a state where you’re allowed to pump your own gas, and I want to keep it that way. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2008, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-tv-screens-shoving-ads-in-my-face-at-the-gas-pumps/439391/91 "2008-02-29T20:29:13Z")
[QUOTE=The Sonoran Lizard King] Actually, MBG, while you’re filling your car with gas, it’s best if you’re there at the handle making sure it doesn’t fall out and spew gas, or something. I live in a state where you’re allowed to pump your own gas, and I want to keep it that way. [/QUOTE] I figure if they wanted me to stay right at the pump, they wouldn’t put the little latches on the handle allowing me to walk away. Plus, you’re not exactly miles away when you clean your windshield anyhow. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2008, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-tv-screens-shoving-ads-in-my-face-at-the-gas-pumps/439391/92 "2008-02-29T20:30:58Z")
[QUOTE=Harmonious Discord] In the near future you will have to pay for the premium upgrade to avoid the ad section on the plane. This will be a step up from first class, and cost more than an upgrade from passenger to first class. [/QUOTE] Hush they’ll hear you. With the new $50 charge for a second piece of luggage, there is nothing I’ll put past the bastards. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2008, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-tv-screens-shoving-ads-in-my-face-at-the-gas-pumps/439391/93 "2008-02-29T20:39:20Z")
“Your seat will be $100.” “Wow, that’s cheap!” “Yes. And for $200 more, we’ll give you one without the razor-wire sybian.” ---
**Author:** ![saoirse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@saoirse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saoirse)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2008, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-tv-screens-shoving-ads-in-my-face-at-the-gas-pumps/439391/94 "2008-02-29T20:48:01Z")
[QUOTE=Voyager] I figure if they wanted me to stay right at the pump, they wouldn’t put the little latches on the handle allowing me to walk away. Plus, you’re not exactly miles away when you clean your windshield anyhow. [/QUOTE] I haven’t seen one of those in a modern gas station in a long, long time. Any time they remodel a station, it seems, they get rid of the locking pump handles. It really sucks this time of year. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2008, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-tv-screens-shoving-ads-in-my-face-at-the-gas-pumps/439391/95 "2008-02-29T21:37:09Z")
[QUOTE=saoirse] I haven’t seen one of those in a modern gas station in a long, long time. Any time they remodel a station, it seems, they get rid of the locking pump handles. It really sucks this time of year. [/QUOTE] Really? They all seemed to go away in the late 70s and early 80s, and then come back. In the last 10 years, I’ve driven through California, Nevada, Montana, Washington, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Arizona, South Dakota, Colorado and a bunch of other places that I can’t think of right now, and every single gas pump I’ve used had a locking handle. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2008, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-tv-screens-shoving-ads-in-my-face-at-the-gas-pumps/439391/96 "2008-02-29T21:40:49Z")
You won’t see the locks on any of the pumps that are made for places with air standard problems. Those places are required to use a fume reduction system that requires pressure against the tank fill hole to pump gas. Not being from the area that uses it, I had problems until a customer said what was wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2008, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-tv-screens-shoving-ads-in-my-face-at-the-gas-pumps/439391/97 "2008-02-29T22:53:44Z")
Seattle has rigorous air quality controls, and our gas stations have locking pump handles. ---
**Author:** ![sturmhauke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@sturmhauke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sturmhauke)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2008, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-tv-screens-shoving-ads-in-my-face-at-the-gas-pumps/439391/98 "2008-03-01T01:38:14Z")
Ditto for California. ---
**Author:** ![Turek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/turek/32/18782_2.png) [@Turek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turek)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2008, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-tv-screens-shoving-ads-in-my-face-at-the-gas-pumps/439391/99 "2008-03-01T12:40:45Z")
[QUOTE=Harmonious Discord] You won’t see the locks on any of the pumps that are made for places with air standard problems. Those places are required to use a fume reduction system that requires pressure against the tank fill hole to pump gas. Not being from the area that uses it, I had problems until a customer said what was wrong. [/QUOTE] Lots of North Texas has air standard problems and all the stations have vapor recovery systems, and I can’t remember the last time I was at a station that DIDN’T have locking pumps. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-tv-screens-shoving-ads-in-my-face-at-the-gas-pumps/439391/100 "2017-07-31T03:19:45Z")
Bumping this thread only because I missed it until now, and I have this comment: Some Arco stations had those TV screens atop their pumps (this was several years ago), and I found ONE thing to be admired about them: Interspersed among the ads and other drivel, there were occasional weather reports / forecasts. I found these extremely valuable whenever I was away from home, traveling on the road out-of-town. When I gassed up, I watched their TV drivel intensely (opening the bypasses between my ears for most of the drivel), just in the hope of catching their weather reports. Alas, ALL Arco stations have recently installed an all-new system which still includes all the drivel, but I haven’t seen a weather report yet. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-tv-screens-shoving-ads-in-my-face-at-the-gas-pumps/439391.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-tv-screens-shoving-ads-in-my-face-at-the-gas-pumps/439391.md?page=6)