How can people still do this?

Yawns

Bit of a rant.

The following is not restricted to middle / old women but it seems to be the general trend.

Surely to god if you are capable of driving a car around town obeying speed limits, traffic lights while you manage to make it from your house to the shops etc, then surely you can put petrol in your own damn car.

How thick can you be?

Like today. I pull up and start pumping petrol. Old lady pulls up on the other side of pump and she parks perfectly for filling. She looks out at me and stares. This station has no pump attendants. She has no disability badge and looks like a well able fully capable woman.

I go pay and come back out. She's standing by the car looking for someone to come help her. She comes to ask and I just told her no, I was too busy have an appointment to keep rather than helping lazy people. She was still standing waiting for some1 to come fill her car with petrol whilst I was waiting for a suitable gap in traffic to move out.

It's not rocket science. If she can drive the car from A - B and manage to park correctly then it's not going to be that much harder to put green pump into fuel tank and pull trigger til you get your desired amount. This has happened numerous times and the reason I just said no flat out is that when asked before they are generally quite rude about it.

I've had women snap their fingers and say fill her up. The rude ones have been told where to stick it. If someone frail needed assistance or with a disability, then np, they wouldn't even have to ask me. But lazy people are a different breed. They will sit in their car holding up others cars because they want someone else to get their petrol.

/rant


So how about any of you guys?

Ever feel tempted to fill up a diesel with petrol if some snarky bitch barks an order at you to fill petrol when you're filling your own car? I have been tempted once in Longford but with cameras, I'd say it would be far too much hassle for a brief moment of happiness.

These ladies are from a generation which had petrol pump attendents and I reckon they think it is not something they want to be doing. Doesn't bother me the odd time I'm asked would I mind dosing out there petrol.

Now years ago I worked in a Texaco service station that had a forecoart attendent 7am to 3pm. I used to work in the shop from 3pm to 11pm a couple of days a week and you'd have dudes coming in asking me to dose petrol, one clown came in one night in the p1ssing rain when there was a queue of 10 people at the counter and shouts up that he wanted someone to put air in his tyres :rolleyes: In all fairness.

That's mad... surely it's one of the first things you'd learn

Owen

I think it's a bit much to ask someone else to put petrol in, but if you're going to do it out of habit and lack of knowledge, at least do it with manners. 9/10 times when I see someone do this, they sit in their car beeping for an attendant to come running out.

Anan1

Are there even any full service petrol stations left these days? It's been a long time since i've seen an attendent.

no1beemerfan

Anan1 wrote: »

Are there even any full service petrol stations left these days? It's been a long time since i've seen an attendent.

We have one in Roscrea and I don't go there anymore. He'd nearly rip the pump out of your hand so he can do it. If someone parks the wrong side he drag the pump across the bootlid/roof no worries, doen't care about scratching etc. I'd say they have lost business because of it!

biko

The Texaco in Athlone did it for me a year or two back.

Berty

I used to work in a station where you had to try to help everybody fill their petrol, old, frail, young and everybody else.

There is a small petrol station(loose term really) down the road from me in a small village and the person who fills the car for you is an OLD WOMAN!! She will not let anybody fill it themselves. The local cop shop use the pumps and they basically stand next to her whilst she fills up the cop car.

I have had people come into the station years ago and ask me to change their wheel(not a service we offered) and then drive off without even a thank you. Middle aged women and above can be pretty obnoxious to be fair.

There's a Maxol in Parteen(ish) Co Clare whom still offer fully attended service.

mullingar

Millies Texaco in Mullingar.

google maps linky

Somebodys always there to check your oil* and to fill it.

*Their oil is VERY expensive, but the repair bill will be a lot more if you run out of the stuff!

fletch

The petrol caps on Fiat's are very difficult to open....both my sister and mother are incapable of opening them however my Dad and I can both open them no problem

krissovo

She may have arthritis or some ailment that holding the pump might be painful. I struggled to fill up when I had RSI a few years ago and wished pumps had the locking device.

Whats the big deal? Two minutes of your time to help an old lady, whatever happened to helping old ladies across the road?

greenermetals

Slightly OT but i worked in a yard once when a woman pulled up outside it with a puncture asking for help. No spare wheel. I took the punctured tyre off and ran into the town (3 miles) and got a plug put in, drive it back whilst she sits and smokes in the car. Put the wheel back on, and as soon as the jack is in the boot she drives off, didnt even wave or toot the horn to say thanks.

And i got stung for the price of the puncture repair.

Had to laugh at the pure cheek of it

Delancey

My mother has never learnt how to put petrol in her car - she relied on attendants in the days when there was such a thing and when they vanished she relied on myself , my dad or any other schmuck to fill her car up.

She simply doesn't have a clue , she is someone who learnt how to pass her driving test but did NOT learn how to drive.
Perhaps my Father should have pushed her to learn how to fuel up but he never did - too late now I reckon.
I don't begrudge her though , she does a lot of favours for me so I would always give her a hand out.

coylemj

Last time I drove a car in the US the practice was that the pumps closest to the store were attended, the ones further away beside the road were self-service and there was a difference in price i.e. you paid for the service in a higher price per gallon and being the good old USA you were expected to tip the pump attendant as well.

Texaco on Clonkeen Road, Deansgrange near the N11 used to have a lad in overalls who would come out when a car pulled up beside the pumps and the driver stayed put but I don't think I've seen that service in a while.

whippet

from the tone of the OP's post I gather that he has very little notion of civics and less of a helping attitude.

I would have no problem in the world helping someone out should the make a reasonable request.

I would make the assumption that the lady in question wasn't standing by a petrol pump asking stangers for a little help as she was just lazy, but then again I wouldn't be as cynical as the OP.

as an aside, my mother who is in her later years called me a few weeks ago to ask me if her car takes petrol or diesel, I told her petrol and then she asked which petrol. I thought she was taking the piss until she explained that she can't remember the last time she had to put petrol in the car. Between herself and my auld fella they do about 800 miles a year and he tends to be the one to fill the tank. At a guess it could have been about 6-7 years since she actually bought fuel.

Delancey

whippet wrote: »

from the tone of the OP's post I gather that he has very little notion of civics and less of a helping attitude.

I would have no problem in the world helping someone out should the make a reasonable request.

I would make the assumption that the lady in question wasn't standing by a petrol pump asking stangers for a little help as she was just lazy, but then again I wouldn't be as cynical as the OP.

as an aside, my mother who is in her later years called me a few weeks ago to ask me if her car takes petrol or diesel, I told her petrol and then she asked which petrol. I thought she was taking the piss until she explained that she can't remember the last time she had to put petrol in the car. Between herself and my auld fella they do about 800 miles a year and he tends to be the one to fill the tank. At a guess it could have been about 6-7 years since she actually bought fuel.

Jesus whippet are you sure we're not long-lost brothers ?:D

Yawns

Well whippet she drove up after me, sat in her car, beeped to get my attention and stared. Then got out and stood by the pump waiting expectantly for me to fill her car up. So civic duty me hole tbh. If you can drive you can fill your own car with petrol.


There's a fair few garages that still have attendants and tbh I rarely see them thanked by a lot of the people they assist. Just because a person is getting on in years it doesn't automatically make them useless. If you can't fill a car with petrol what else can they not do in a car. What would happen in an emergency if noone is there to asssist them?

As I said if someone needed help then fine. But just expecting others to hop, skip and jump cos your over 50 then they can piss off.

Buffman

Sure if they can put water in the kettle they should be able to fuel a car!:D

Yawns wrote: »

Well whippet she drove up after me, sat in her car, beeped to get my attention and stared. Then got out and stood by the pump waiting expectantly for me to fill her car up. So civic duty me hole tbh. If you can drive you can fill your own car with petrol.

Ye, you were right in this situation. She was just rude.

I'd have no bother doing this if somebody asked nicely, and had a good reason. For arthritis sufferers I'd imagine it can be hard.

CrowdedHouse

no1beemerfan wrote: »

We have one in Roscrea and I don't go there anymore.

Can't say I know that one...give us a hint !

CarMuppet

OP was she good looking?? Sorry.. This is motors not AH..

You could just help her out? Take the €50 note from her and just put in €45.:). Win win.

**disclamer I am joking **

dirtydiesel

She might not of had the strength in her fingers to keep the nozzle pulled, you may of been right, you may of been wrong not to help, who knows you were there and we were not, but can I ask if she was a stunning blonde in a mini skirt, who didnt want to break her fake nails, would you of filled her tank!:D

Hotwheels

Next time yer stuck behind a car doing 50 in a hundred, it might be the old lady getting revenge

I'd have asked if she was alright & fill it for her, life's to short..:)

BanjoSpanner

Based on the info provided I fully agree with the OP on this one. And if I was feeling perticularly devious at the time I would have filled her petrol tank up with diesel !

I know the type ..... stuck up old bags who think anyone younger than them owes them favours forever. Sorry love but you better get with the programme .... this is 2011 where everyone already has a million thankless things to do .... I don't need another one. It's not 1955 any more when the living was easy and you were waited on hand and foot. :rolleyes:

Nissan doctor

Jese, I'm the opposite, I never let an attendant fill my car(all the stations in Ardee have attendants). I just couldn't have an uninterested teenager going near my car!:eek:

Twice I've had to fix the catch on the fuel flap of the wifes car because attendants have bent them trying to close the flap.:rolleyes:

-Corkie-

mullingar wrote: »

Millies Texaco in Mullingar.

google maps linky

Somebodys always there to check your oil* and to fill it.

*Their oil is VERY expensive, but the repair bill will be a lot more if you run out of the stuff!

Is that mad fella still there. I havent been there in years but I remember some mad fella wanting to wash your car aswell. I remember have a Fcuking match with him one day over it..:o

higginsshane70

I fill my car even if there is someone who should do this, i like to control things maybe this is because of it...

mullingar

-Corkie- wrote: »

Is that mad fella still there. I havent been there in years but I remember some mad fella wanting to wash your car aswell. I remember have a Fcuking match with him one day over it..:o

Yup, he is there EVERY day still doing 18 hour shifts. Always pushing for a car wash sale.

He must live in the shop :pac:

spiggotpaddy

i think the op is a little harsh here, come on are we really having a go at old women. he could of helped her in less time than he took to come on here and rant about it.

Ciarrai76

Anan1 wrote: »

Are there even any full service petrol stations left these days? It's been a long time since i've seen an attendent.

Nolans Texaco garage in Tralee has attendants, but I'd say they are the only garage in Tralee now that do. I have no problem putting my petrol in myself, its not difficult!

zilog_jones

I worked in a garage about 6 years ago, usually self-service but some older women would ask to fill their cars. Don't remember any being particularly rude, maybe I didn't think too much of back then. Never been asked outside of that job.

In South Africa and certain other countries it's illegal to fill your own car!

cml387

mullingar wrote: »

Millies Texaco in Mullingar.

google maps linky

Somebodys always there to check your oil* and to fill it.

*Their oil is VERY expensive, but the repair bill will be a lot more if you run out of the stuff!

Camillus is an institution in Mullingar (and further afield I believe).

Guy:Incognito

Hotwheels wrote: »

, life's to short..:)

For people to have manners? No chance, screw her (figuratively)

If she needs help then she should ask nicely. If shes just lazy and you do it for her, why would you not do it for a 25 year old bloke whos being equally lazy?

spiggotpaddy wrote: »

i think the op is a little harsh here, come on are we really having a go at old women. he could of helped her in less time than he took to come on here and rant about it.

At what age does the entitlement to be waited on by younger people kick in? Do your manners evaporate at the same time and allow you to be ignorant to these people?

Anan1

Anan1 wrote: »

Are there even any full service petrol stations left these days? It's been a long time since i've seen an attendent.

Grealish's in Carnmore Co.Galway. Your actually not allowed to fill your own as far as I know.

johndaman66

I worked in a very busy filling station for a number of years when I was in college at weekends and during the Summer months. Many regulars who frequented the shop knew the pumps were attended and left it to the attendant to pump which is fair enough, it was keeping me in a job and was my job after all. At other times when the shop was particularly busy or short staffed the forecourt attendant would need to hop on tills. To be fair the very very vast majority of people would have no quams whatsoever about pumping their own fuel. Others would ask for help, mainly older women but the odd fella too but most often be most thankful if they needed to ask in the first place.

What used to annoy me most of all was certian people (most from a certain background) putting the likes of €20.47 in their car and expecting to be left off at €20-

Although the OP's post is funny to read at times he seems to be taking a hardline view. Fair enough if was no more than thanked on a number of occassions he pumped fuel for people but I would suggest he was perhaps unfortunate enough to come across rude, thankless people on all occassions by chance. I was asked a couple of times as a customer to pump fuel and each time they were most thankful too.

Think it may be a bit of a generational thing too though. Some older people always having their fuel pumped for them in their younger days being old and stuck in their ways a bit still assume there should be attendants.

Stinicker

My mother is banned from refuelling her car by both my father and myself, the car is Diesel she filled it with petrol go figure :rolleyes:

The same woman hasn't a clue what an engine is besides turn on car, change gears, car goes forward, car goes into reverse, this makes the lights come on and this works the wipers etc. She can't drive a petrol because she stalls it but the Diesel will labour away without stalling!

Last time I was with her in the car I insisted she pull over to let the traffic she was holding up go around her! Aren't Irish mammys the best! :D

Voodoomelon

I must be the only one that has the seat belt off and hand on the door handle ready to pounce out of the car on the site of a pump attendant! I hate anyone filling my car, I actually enjoy filling up.

goz83

Buffman wrote: »

Sure if they can put water in the kettle they should be able to fuel a car!:D



Ye, you were right in this situation. She was just rude.

I'd have no bother doing this if somebody asked nicely, and had a good reason. For arthritis sufferers I'd imagine it can be hard.

Just an honest observation, but if arthritis is prohibiting someone from holding a fuel pump, would it not then be challenging to operate the gears, hand brake and steering wheel? Seems a bit odd to me and reminds me of my gran who passed away a few years ago. In her company, she would complain and moan about everything her arthrits was stopping her from doing and she would have everyone doing everything short of wiping her arse for her. BUT...she was caught plenty of times walking around normally and even dancing to some oldies when she thought nobody was around. She was worthy of an oscar.

Mc Love

The crescent shopping centre used to have a petrol station and it had a worker that used to fill up mostly all the womens cars!

bazz26

I wonder how many would say no or they don't have the time if this lady asked them to put fuel in her car?

jimmyw

Mc Love wrote: »

The crescent shopping centre used to have a petrol station and it had a worker that used to fill up mostly all the womens cars!

Yeah cause he probably wanted to r.... help them out the poor defenceless craters;):P

jimmyw

bazz26 wrote: »

I wonder how many would say no or they don't have the time if this lady asked them to put fuel in her car?

MMMMMMMMMMMMM let me see?????????????????????

Yawns

Don't think the gf would be best pleased or happy if I'd help a young blonde out

But I was in a similar situation. Young female friend asked me to put petrol in cos she didn't know how. I asked did she want me to show her and she just said no sure there'll always be someone around to do it for her, she'd just ask some stranger to do it. I did of course call her a lazy **** and made her do it. Got the reply back "oh that was easy! I thought it'd be harder"

Some people shouldn't be trusted with driving a car if they can't perform basic essentials. This would include changing a tyre imo. My partner was the same till I found out. Now she wouldn't be far off from servicing the car herself if she needed to. I have to hand it to her tho. She used her assests to get the parts for cheaper price in the auto factors Got all the right parts too lol.

Riskymove

Yawns wrote: »

Well whippet she drove up after me, sat in her car, beeped to get my attention and stared. Then got out and stood by the pump waiting expectantly for me to fill her car up.

this just struck me but...is there any chance that she might have mistaken you for an attendant?

Signpost

Slightly off topic but, if you filled it up and they didnt pay, who would be responsible as they technically didnt get their own fuel?

Signpost

Yosef Unkempt Neighbor wrote: »

Grealish's in Carnmore Co.Galway. Your actually not allowed to fill your own as far as I know.

Is it not illegal to have attendants now? Something to do with damage to the skin on your hands from having oil on them all day?

Yawns

maybe at first but she glared at me after I finished fueling my car, got my wallet out of my drivers side and then went and qued up to pay, she was still there glaring and I do mean glaring at me as I sat in the drivers seat. She had a glare going on that Samuel L Jackson would be jealous of...

Yawns

Signpost wrote: »

Is it not illegal to have attendants now? Something to do with damage to the skin on your hands from having oil on them all day?

gloves?

Yawns

Signpost wrote: »

Slightly off topic but, if you filled it up and they didnt pay, who would be responsible as they technically didnt get their own fuel?

never thought of that but I'd imagine they'd go after the driver of the car and give the guards the reg plate as they left the forecourt without paying and knowing the had the fuel in the tank. They'd be stealing it.

Kind of akin to a friend giving you a jacket in a shop and telling you they paid for it. You walk out the door and get caught and find out it wasn't paid for you'd be done for it as it would be your word against your friend etc.

Tho in saying that I don't move from the pump without paying in case someone in the station thought i was driving off even if I was just parking so someone else could get at pumps as I paid for mine.

QuickHide

whippet wrote: »

I would have no problem in the world helping someone out should the make a reasonable request.

as an aside, my mother who is in her later years called me a few weeks ago to ask me if her car takes petrol or diesel, I told her petrol and then she asked which petrol. I thought she was taking the piss until she explained that she can't remember the last time she had to put petrol in the car. Between herself and my auld fella they do about 800 miles a year and he tends to be the one to fill the tank. At a guess it could have been about 6-7 years since she actually bought fuel.

In fairness to the op, if someone elderly does have something stopping them doing the job themselves, they should politely ask someone to help saying that they have difficulty with it. Am sure he would've helped in those circs. But no bloody way am I going to doing the job for somone who just has a sense of entitlement about it. No offence but I've noticed in supermarkets, older people wanting to go ahead of other people in queues when they have a small amount of stuff. Why? Is that on the basis of their age? I thought we were all not to be ageist!

Oh and about yore ma, is she in some way mentally deficient? Because as far as I'm concerned, if someone is allowed be in charge of a xx ton of metal on an open road, they bloody sure as hell should know what fuel their car takes and how to put it in :rolleyes:

tc20

QuickHide wrote: »

Oh and about yore ma, is she in some way mentally deficient? Because as far as I'm concerned, if someone is allowed be in charge of a xx ton of metal on an open road, they bloody sure as hell should know what fuel their car takes and how to put it in

nice...:o

yupyup7up

If you can't re-fuel your vehicle then you shouldn't have a licence. Simple as. The driving test requires you to know where to top up oil and water under the bonnet now too so if you can't even put fuel in then you shouldn't be driving.

I had this woman ask me to pump up her tires for her before, so I showed her how to do it and I pumped up the first tire because I was in a rush and she got really p!ssed off when I wouldn't pump up the rest!:rolleyes: