# Pumping gas isn't rocket surgery you lazy twit **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [April 12, 2016, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pumping-gas-isnt-rocket-surgery-you-lazy-twit/751976 "2016-04-12T04:22:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2016, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pumping-gas-isnt-rocket-surgery-you-lazy-twit/751976/1 "2016-04-12T04:22:31Z")
I got gas in NJ, one of only two states (OR) where you can’t be trusted to pump your own gas. :rolleyes: The pump kicked off at $xx.23. When the attendant came over he tried topping it off & I yelled at him to stop it at 50¢, which he ignored. The pump then stopped again at 73¢, at which point I opened the door & told him to STOP! (I know my car; it doesn’t top off well). But Noooo, he had to get it up to the whole dollar amount because he’s too fucking lazy to deal with some coins. I get out of my car & look; that last xx¢ didn’t make it into the tank, but is instead running down the side of my car. He then asks me for the whole dollar amount. Oh FUCK NO! It’s only a few cents, but you’re trying to charge me for something you didn’t give to me while simultaneously pouring gasoline down the side of my car. My choice is to leave it on there, which isn’t good for the paint or wash it off with the windshield washer squeegee, which is abrasive & also not good for the paint. So I squeegeed my quarter-panel because you couldn’t be arsed to do it. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised; if you don’t have enough brain cells to know when to stop filling a gas tank, you probably don’t have don’t have enough brain cells to know why the customer is ripping you a new asshole & insisting that you only charge him for the $xx.50 instead of the whole dollar amount that the pump now reads, all because your too lazy to use a couple of coins & clean up your spills. **Loach, LavBlue, Green Bean** , & the other Joisey Dopers - _please_ try to get your lawmakers to come into the 20th Century & be like almost every other state. Hell, if the inbreds in Appalachia can be trusted to pump their own gas, surely the Luddites in your state can do it, too. Besides, > [@www.bergencounty.com](#): > > When New Jersey residents travel out of state, they are sometimes befuddled when they pull into a self-service-only gas station and realize they have to get out of the car and pump their own fuel. :smack: > [@NJ statute 34:3A-4](#): > > a. Because of the fire hazards directly associated with dispensing fuel, it is in the public interest that gasoline station operators have the control needed over that activity to ensure compliance with appropriate safety procedures, including turning off vehicle engines and refraining from smoking while fuel is dispensed; > b. At self-service gasoline stations in other states, cashiers are often unable to maintain a clear view of the activities of customers dispensing gasoline, or to give their undivided attention to observing customers; therefore, when customers, rather than attendants, are permitted to dispense fuel, it is far more difficult to enforce compliance with safety procedures; > c. The State needs stronger measures to enforce both compliance by customers with the ban on self-service and compliance by attendants with safety procedures; > d. The higher general liability insurance premium rates charged to self-service stations reflect the fact that customers who leave their vehicles to dispense gasoline or other inflammable liquids face significant inconveniences and dangers, including the risks of crime and fall-related personal injury, which are a special burden to drivers with physical infirmities, such as the handicapped and some senior citizens; > e. Exposure to toxic gasoline fumes represents a health hazard when customers dispense their own gasoline, particularly in the case of pregnant women; > f. The significantly higher prices usually charged for full-service gasoline in states where self-service is permitted results in discrimination against low income individuals, who are under greater economic pressure to undergo the inconvenience and hazards of dispensing their own gasoline; > g. The increasing use of self-service has contributed to the diminished availability of repair facilities and maintenance services at gasoline stations; > h. Even in filling stations which offer both self-service and full-service gasoline, customers are less likely, because of the much higher price usually charged for full service, to have attendants make needed maintenance checks, thus causing significant neglect of maintenance and danger both to the customers and to other motorists, as well as the unneeded costly repairs which often result from deferred maintenance; > i. The prohibition of customer self-service does not constitute a restraint of trade in derogation of the general public interest because the Legislature finds no conclusive evidence that self-service gasoline provides a sustained reduction in gasoline prices charged to customers; and > j. A prohibition of self-service gasoline will therefore promote the common welfare by providing increased safety and convenience without causing economic harm to the public in general. - Yes, I did intentionally say ‘rocket surgery’ in the title. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2016, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pumping-gas-isnt-rocket-surgery-you-lazy-twit/751976/2 "2016-04-12T04:38:20Z")
At least here in Orygun attendants are _not allowed_ to top off. (At least not by default; I’ve asked in the past and they’ve complied.) So that helps, I guess…but otherwise, yeah, fucking stupid and needs to end. ---
**Author:** ![Absolute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2016, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pumping-gas-isnt-rocket-surgery-you-lazy-twit/751976/3 "2016-04-12T04:52:50Z")
That’s pretty annoying that he dribbled gas on your car, but you deserve just as much scorn for paying cash for something in 2016. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2016, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pumping-gas-isnt-rocket-surgery-you-lazy-twit/751976/4 "2016-04-12T05:12:25Z")
> [@Absolute](#): > > That’s pretty annoying that he dribbled gas on your car, but you deserve just as much scorn for paying cash for something in 2016. What is with this anti-cash scorn that seems to come up like bad breath every time a person pays for something in cash? I’ve carried cash all my life and have never had a problem being hassled or threatened, and yet it seems like every time I’m in a group and pull out a money clip to pay, I’m assailed by people who are convinced I’m going to get mugged seconds after I leave the establishment, forcing me to respond by explaining that I’ve only had someone try to yoke me once (unaware that I wasn’t carrying any cash) and that ended up being a very bad deal for the intended perpetrator, although I’m sure his physical therapist was intrigued about the various ways an elbow could articulate when manipulated with the persuasive application of compound leverage. Meanwhile, while everyone else is fumbling around writing their individual payments on the back of the bill and asking the poor waitress to run seven different bank cards, I drop a small stack of cash on the table with a generous tip and go on my merry way. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Flyer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/flyer/32/7298_2.png) [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2016, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pumping-gas-isnt-rocket-surgery-you-lazy-twit/751976/5 "2016-04-12T05:31:29Z")
> [@Absolute](#): > > That’s pretty annoying that he dribbled gas on your car, but you deserve just as much scorn for paying cash for something in 2016. With that kind of attitude, you deserve to have bad luck of every possible kind for the rest of your life. You are a worthless, brainless, ignorant, puss-filled piece of garbage in human form. You are lower than someone who rapes babies. May you die young, and yet outlive all of your friends and family. ---
**Author:** ![picker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/picker/32/13969_2.png) [@picker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picker)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2016, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pumping-gas-isnt-rocket-surgery-you-lazy-twit/751976/6 "2016-04-12T05:33:06Z")
That escalated quickly. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2016, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pumping-gas-isnt-rocket-surgery-you-lazy-twit/751976/7 "2016-04-12T05:33:28Z")
> [@Absolute](#): > > That’s pretty annoying that he dribbled gas on your car, but you deserve just as much scorn for paying cash for something in 2016. The Pit? The Pit. (Checking carefully…) You’re a stupid fuck. Bills and coins are still “legal tender for all debts,” and it’s convenient to use. Fuck you for your stupid highjack. The OP: did you actually pay the amount showing on the pump, or was the clerk willing to accept responsibility for his spillage? That’s the sort of small irritation that I would pursue to the station manager, and then right up the corporate ladder. Be damned sure to communicate this to the gas company’s customer service department. It might not help a lot, but I believe that rational and articulate complaints really do get some beneficial results. ---
**Author:** ![Absolute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2016, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pumping-gas-isnt-rocket-surgery-you-lazy-twit/751976/8 "2016-04-12T05:38:47Z")
Dealing with cash and people counting out / making change is a pain in the ass and slows down the line for everyone else. The OP is a good example. The whole stupid little freakout over whether the attendant stopped the pump at a $0.50 multiple would have been unnecessary if he just paid for his gas with a credit card. ---
**Author:** ![Absolute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2016, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pumping-gas-isnt-rocket-surgery-you-lazy-twit/751976/9 "2016-04-12T05:47:09Z")
> [@Flyer](#): > > With that kind of attitude, you deserve to have bad luck of every possible kind for the rest of your life. > > You are a worthless, brainless, ignorant, puss-filled piece of garbage in human form. You are lower than someone who rapes babies. > > May you die young, and yet outlive all of your friends and family. Do you work for the US Mint or something? ---
**Author:** ![curlcoat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea5d25/32.png) [@curlcoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curlcoat)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2016, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pumping-gas-isnt-rocket-surgery-you-lazy-twit/751976/10 "2016-04-12T05:47:38Z")
> [@Absolute](#): > > Dealing with cash and people counting out / making change is a pain in the ass and slows down the line for everyone else. The OP is a good example. The whole stupid little freakout over whether the attendant stopped the pump at a $0.50 multiple would have been unnecessary if he just paid for his gas with a credit card. Go back and read the OP again, you missed the reason why he didn’t want the gas jockey to stop pumping. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2016, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pumping-gas-isnt-rocket-surgery-you-lazy-twit/751976/11 "2016-04-12T05:50:16Z")
> [@Absolute](#): > > That’s pretty annoying that he dribbled gas on your car, but you deserve just as much scorn for paying cash for something in 2016. > [@Flyer](#): > > With that kind of attitude, you deserve to have bad luck of every possible kind for the rest of your life. > > You are a worthless, brainless, ignorant, puss-filled piece of garbage in human form. You are lower than someone who rapes babies. > > May you die young, and yet outlive all of your friends and family. Consider the source. He thinks “five times less” is a meaningful phrase. OP, why didn’t you just instruct the attendant to not top off in the first place? ---
**Author:** ![Edward\_The\_Head](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ce73a5/32.png) [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2016, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pumping-gas-isnt-rocket-surgery-you-lazy-twit/751976/12 "2016-04-12T12:07:22Z")
You know, for people who deal with pumping gas all the damned time, you’d think they would know how to do it. I hate stopping for gas in Jersey, it might be cheaper, but I hate doing it. I was just there two weeks ago, the guy asked me to open the gas tank. Um, hey pal, it opens from the outside, and it has a finger hold RIGHT there, it’s not like it needs to be pushed in or anything, just put your finger in and pull. Instead he sat there and kept asking me to pop the tank for him. Having them fill up a motorcycle is no better, they have no idea how to do that, the couple of times I have they have overfilled it and spilled it all over the rest of the bike. Really, it’s not that hard to fill up a gas tank, if it was so dangerous they would be blowing up all the time. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2016, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pumping-gas-isnt-rocket-surgery-you-lazy-twit/751976/13 "2016-04-12T12:17:12Z")
> [@Absolute](#): > > Dealing with cash and people counting out / making change is a pain in the ass and slows down the line for everyone else. The OP is a good example. The whole stupid little freakout over whether the attendant stopped the pump at a $0.50 multiple would have been unnecessary if he just paid for his gas with a credit card. Why should I pay an extra 8¢/gallon? How hard is it to keep a few quarters in your pocket? Round it to the nearest quarter, no issue but don’t try to jam an almost extra ½-gallon down the pipe. If the stoopit state would allow me to pump my own it wouldn’t be an issue, either. 48 other states think their residents are intelligent enough to do it; it’d would hardly be cutting edge legislation for NJ to pass. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2016, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pumping-gas-isnt-rocket-surgery-you-lazy-twit/751976/14 "2016-04-12T12:28:59Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > What is with this anti-cash scorn that seems to come up like bad breath every time a person pays for something in cash? Yeah, I _like_ cash. As a business owner, I’ve had checks bounce (no longer accept them) and I’ve had credit card payment reversed over silly reasons that weren’t worth fighting. I love it when I quote a fee, say $425, to a local (often a farmer) and he pulls out a wad of cash and asks what I’ll take in cash (waggling his eyebrows). I say, $400, he winks and hands me the cash. Not sure what it’s all about, but everyone ends up happy. ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2016, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pumping-gas-isnt-rocket-surgery-you-lazy-twit/751976/15 "2016-04-12T12:46:25Z")
> [@Absolute](#): > > Dealing with cash and people counting out / making change is a pain in the ass and slows down the line for everyone else. The OP is a good example. The whole stupid little freakout over whether the attendant stopped the pump at a $0.50 multiple would have been unnecessary if he just paid for his gas with a credit card. Reading comprehension much? The OP wanted the attendant not to fill his car to overflowing. For all you know the attendant could just be OCD rather than incapable of dealing with change. ---
**Author:** ![purplehearingaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@purplehearingaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehearingaid)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2016, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pumping-gas-isnt-rocket-surgery-you-lazy-twit/751976/16 "2016-04-12T13:00:22Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > What is with this anti-cash scorn that seems to come up like bad breath every time a person pays for something in cash? I’ve carried cash all my life and have never had a problem being hassled or threatened, and yet it seems like every time I’m in a group and pull out a money clip to pay, I’m assailed by people who are convinced I’m going to get mugged seconds after I leave the establishment, forcing me to respond by explaining that I’ve only had someone try to yoke me once (unaware that I wasn’t carrying any cash) and that ended up being a very bad deal for the intended perpetrator, although I’m sure his physical therapist was intrigued about the various ways an elbow could articulate when manipulated with the persuasive application of compound leverage. Meanwhile, while everyone else is fumbling around writing their individual payments on the back of the bill and asking the poor waitress to run seven different bank cards, I drop a small stack of cash on the table with a generous tip and go on my merry way. > > Stranger Yeah and older people have a hard time remembering things , I was always forgetting my pin # and it not wise to write it down . I don’t see many people leaving their cash behind but I do see people forgetting to take their credit card . ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2016, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pumping-gas-isnt-rocket-surgery-you-lazy-twit/751976/17 "2016-04-12T13:02:38Z")
In New Jersey you’re not allowed to pump your own gas? Dear N.J., WTF? ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2016, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pumping-gas-isnt-rocket-surgery-you-lazy-twit/751976/18 "2016-04-12T13:06:15Z")
This is yet another reason to arm yourself with a firearm. Preferably a .44 Magnum Smith and Wesson Model 29. I tell ya, that attendant would have stopped if he saw that mag pointing between his eyes and heard Dirty Harry saying “Not another drop fool.” ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2016, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pumping-gas-isnt-rocket-surgery-you-lazy-twit/751976/19 "2016-04-12T14:25:42Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > In New Jersey you’re not allowed to pump your own gas? Dear N.J., WTF? NJ and Oregon. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2016, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pumping-gas-isnt-rocket-surgery-you-lazy-twit/751976/20 "2016-04-12T14:32:27Z")
Dear Oregon, If New Jersey jumped into the ocean, would you do it too? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pumping-gas-isnt-rocket-surgery-you-lazy-twit/751976.md?page=2)