# State of Oregon has collective freak-out **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 4, 2018, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-oregon-has-collective-freak-out/805834 "2018-01-04T04:48:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-oregon-has-collective-freak-out/805834/41 "2018-01-05T02:18:57Z")
**Dallas Jones** had a good synopsis above. Essentially, in counties with less than 40K residents, gas stations have the option to provide self-service. They can continue to provide full service as well. Most of them have indicated they will provide full service during the day, and self-service at night when they would be otherwise closed. People in places like Portland and along the I-5 corridor will not have a choice; it’s full service only. The freak-out happened when a TV station asked online if this should be law throughout Oregon, and a few people vehemently and comedically voiced their disagreement. Their concern is that if self-service is an option, full service stations will eventually disappear due to lack of demand and other factors. This is a reasonable concern, given the lack of full service in states that don’t require it. It is perhaps an overreaction to think they wouldn’t be able to survive such a change. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-oregon-has-collective-freak-out/805834/42 "2018-01-05T02:25:29Z")
Got it. As I’ve lived in both self-serve and full-serve states, the change seems ideal to me. I did learn that people in New Jersey do tend to collectively lose their shit whenever any politician suggests going to self-serve. I really can’t emphasize enough how nice it is not to have to get out of your car in the winter time. I kind of internally grumbled when I had to go back to pumping my own gas. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-oregon-has-collective-freak-out/805834/43 "2018-01-05T04:02:50Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Huh. Are self serve gas stations required to pump gas for disabled drivers? Many stations have a single employee inside the store. How would they do this?.. When I worked at a gas station if there were 2-3 on duty someone would go out an pump their gas. If there were only 2 people on duty and it was busy enough that both registers had line they’d have to wait at the pump until it slowed down enough for someone to come out and help them. If there was only 1 person on duty then they’d have to wait at the pump until the store was completely empty of customers, we’d then have to lock the doors\*, and then go out and help them (3rd shift always being a solo shift). Also it wasn’t really practical for anyone to press the call buttons on the pumps w/o getting out of the car unless they parked way too close to the pump and partially climb out the window. :dubious: \*Same process to go to the bathroom. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-oregon-has-collective-freak-out/805834/44 "2018-01-05T05:07:51Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > I don’t remember the last time I got rained on whilst pumping gas. Don’t most gas stations nowadays have roofs over the pump area? It often rains sideways here. ---
**Author:** ![keturah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e95f7d/32.png) [@keturah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/keturah)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-oregon-has-collective-freak-out/805834/45 "2018-01-05T06:16:48Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > It often rains sideways here. As it does in Florida, yet…we persevere. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-oregon-has-collective-freak-out/805834/46 "2018-01-05T14:25:22Z")
> [@Quimby](#): > > I’m in NJ and y’all are just jealous. 🙂 What exit? 😉 I feel for our poor, northern neighbors. Next thing you know, they’ll be talking sales tax! :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-oregon-has-collective-freak-out/805834/47 "2018-01-05T15:11:45Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > …while my gas gets pumped like a gentleman. This is a euphemism like [“Netflix and chill”](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=846180), right? I can see why people are so upset. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-oregon-has-collective-freak-out/805834/48 "2018-01-05T15:15:25Z")
> [@keturah](#): > > As it does in Florida, yet…we persevere. Does it normally stay around 40F in the winter rain? I thought not. And why would you, if you didn’t have to? ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-oregon-has-collective-freak-out/805834/49 "2018-01-05T15:26:51Z")
40F in the rain? Poor dear, how do you manage? ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-oregon-has-collective-freak-out/805834/50 "2018-01-05T15:57:06Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > It often rains sideways here. Same, here on the windy plains. As well as sleeting and snowing sideways. We manage. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-oregon-has-collective-freak-out/805834/51 "2018-01-05T17:06:15Z")
I “managed” for many years in Alaska and everywhere else I’ve ever lived in the past 50+ years of driving. This is the first place I’ve ever lived where self-service wasn’t an option. Self-service was instituted to increase profits, not because of customer demand. You people are talking like pumping your own gas is some sort of privilege or macho activity. I have no problem with pumping my own gas, as most every summer we take the RV out of state. I’m just saying I’m fine without having to “manage”, but it’s not a deal breaker if it goes away. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-oregon-has-collective-freak-out/805834/52 "2018-01-05T17:39:42Z")
I see they’ve updated [The Oregon Trail](http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2018/01/03/18/47BAE76B00000578-5232477-image-a-70_1515004867369.jpg) game. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-oregon-has-collective-freak-out/805834/53 "2018-01-05T17:52:53Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > I “managed” for many years in Alaska and everywhere else I’ve ever lived in the past 50+ years of driving. This is the first place I’ve ever lived where self-service wasn’t an option. Self-service was instituted to increase profits, not because of customer demand. You people are talking like pumping your own gas is some sort of privilege or macho activity. I have no problem with pumping my own gas, as most every summer we take the RV out of state. I’m just saying I’m fine without having to “manage”, but it’s not a deal breaker if it goes away. Exactly. Of course we can manage. It’s nice not to have to most of the time. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-oregon-has-collective-freak-out/805834/54 "2018-01-05T17:54:29Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > I see they’ve updated [The Oregon Trail](http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2018/01/03/18/47BAE76B00000578-5232477-image-a-70_1515004867369.jpg) game. And a new public service video has also been released. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-oregon-has-collective-freak-out/805834/55 "2018-01-05T17:56:46Z")
Chefguy: > [@](#): > > You people are talking like pumping your own gas is some sort of privilege or macho activity. It’s a time-saver to not have to wait until an attendant notices you’re there, then when your pumping is done, to notice that it’s done so he can remove the nozzle from your tank and give you the receipt. And if the station is backed up, you have to wait for the attendant(s) to do that for everyone ahead of you. ---
**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:** [January 5, 2018, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-oregon-has-collective-freak-out/805834/56 "2018-01-05T17:57:42Z")
> [@Sunny\_Daze](#): > > I like having some nice person pump my gas, especially when the weather is crap. Who is this “nice person” and what did he do with the surly gas station attendant?:eek: ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-oregon-has-collective-freak-out/805834/57 "2018-01-05T19:47:31Z")
> [@cmkeller](#): > > Sure you don’t mean New Jersey? No. Florida. Full of goof-balls and nutters. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-oregon-has-collective-freak-out/805834/58 "2018-01-05T20:08:33Z")
> [@Sunny\_Daze](#): > > Here’s the thing… > > Mock all you want, but I’ll still be in my warm, dry car. Here’s the thing for me… > [@cmkeller](#): > > It’s a time-saver to not have to wait until an attendant notices you’re there, then when your pumping is done, to notice that it’s done so he can remove the nozzle from your tank and give you the receipt. And if the station is backed up, you have to wait for the attendant(s) to do that for everyone ahead of you. THIS!!! Every time I pull into a station in Oregon, it takes fucking _FOREVER_ for the slack-jawed idiot to put down the comic book and slowly shuffle out to somewhere generally in my direction, with a few detours here and there. Goddammit! _MOVE!_ I’m in a hurry to get the hell out of this State! Then they under-fill the tank, screw the gas cap on with Monkey Strength and drop my credit card into a puddle of oil. Cretins! ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-oregon-has-collective-freak-out/805834/59 "2018-01-05T21:04:49Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > Then they under-fill the tank, screw the gas cap on with Monkey Strength and drop my credit card into a puddle of oil. > > Cretins! That is part of their semi-annual training to get the certification to pump gas for you. Number 6 on the 10 step form that they sign. ---
**Author:** ![Dendarii\_Dame](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbce88/32.png) [@Dendarii\_Dame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dendarii_Dame)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-oregon-has-collective-freak-out/805834/60 "2018-01-05T21:54:26Z")
The one thing I did to convince my mother that I was now an adult was to pump my own gas. By comparison, graduating from college, holding down a job, getting married, etc., meant nothing. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-oregon-has-collective-freak-out/805834.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-oregon-has-collective-freak-out/805834.md?page=4)