# Pitting the Gas Pump **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 26, 2008, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-gas-pump/435047 "2008-01-26T02:28:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2008, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-gas-pump/435047/21 "2008-01-26T23:22:55Z")
[QUOTE=Hockey Monkey] It has never occured to me to be concerned about this. [/QUOTE] Man, _where_ have you been? Germ phobia is an essential part of life in the third millenium. Surely you’ve caught on to kicking the restroom door open and refusing to touch the faucet handles after washing (if they don’t turn off on their own, screw 'em). Why do you think those plastic cups in your motel room are themselves wrapped in plastic? Who can say what dread diseases will fall to your lot if you come into physical contact with something that a stranger has touched? ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2008, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-gas-pump/435047/22 "2008-01-27T00:00:25Z")
[QUOTE=CoG888] I do not understand how this is a problem. Perhaps it is because I am a guy and I have mastered the art of the “jiggle.” However, it is not a complicated maneuver. You clever ladies can surly figure it out. [/QUOTE] The way I learned it is to keep the pump in for about six seconds, to let the dribble (or most of it) run its course. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2008, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-gas-pump/435047/23 "2008-01-27T02:43:28Z")
[QUOTE=Hockey Monkey] People worry about who touched the pump handle before them? [/QUOTE] And don’t even _think_ about how many people have used the flatware at the restaurant before you. How clean its it _really?_😃 ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2008, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-gas-pump/435047/24 "2008-01-27T02:49:30Z")
[QUOTE=asterion] And no, I never have wished that I was in New Jersey. And I think I’m perfectly capable of pumping my own gas and don’t need a nanny state telling me otherwise. [/QUOTE] Amen! I will gladly stand in the snow and rain if it means I don’t have to live in New Jersey or Oregon. If you think it’s too cold outside to pump gas, stay home. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2008, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-gas-pump/435047/25 "2008-01-27T02:53:51Z")
[QUOTE=Johnny L.A.] And don’t even _think_ about how many people have used the flatware at the restaurant before you. How clean its it _really?_😃 [/QUOTE] And don’t forget that water in in the glass. Fish fuck in it. ---
**Author:** ![Hockey\_Monkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a183cd/32.png) [@Hockey\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hockey_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2008, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-gas-pump/435047/26 "2008-01-27T04:16:59Z")
[QUOTE=Johnny L.A.] And don’t even _think_ about how many people have used the flatware at the restaurant before you. How clean its it _really?_😃 [/QUOTE] Meh, germs don’t bother me. I’ve never taken any precautions above and beyond hand washing before preparing food, and after toilet functions. I very rarely get sick because I let my immune system play with germs. Back on-topic though…I just wish the pumps would pump faster. ---
**Author:** ![Indygrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@Indygrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indygrrl)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2008, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-gas-pump/435047/27 "2008-01-27T04:30:06Z")
[QUOTE=silenus] If you think it’s too cold outside to pump gas, stay home. [/QUOTE] I wish that was an option, I really do. Yesterday I got stuck with a broken pump that wouldn’t stay when I flipped the little thingie down and I had to stand out in the freezing air fighting with the damn thing. It pissed me off more than it should have. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-the-gas-pump/435047.md?page=1)