We are similarly infantilized in Oregon--it blows. Every time the topic comes up for debate at the state legislature, there are always two main reasons: safety--even though millions of people in 48 states manage to pump their own gas without self-immolating or blowing shit up; and JOBS!--as though these part-time jobs pumping gas are supporting the state's economy or something. Then there are the people who start whining about how tragic it will be to have to get out of their cars at the gas station (it RAINS here!) and about how they'll get gas on their hands--ew!!!11!!
Lol, I just moved here and it feels so weird! I'm sure I won't be complaining when it's cold out though and I can stay in my car.
I remember my friend moving from NJ to Texas years ago and telling me how she sat at the pump for a few minutes wondering why nobody was coming to help her, haha.
I had to show my college roommate how to pump gas. She was from Jersey and had apparently never done it before.
I have pumped my own gas maybe 4 times in my whole life, and usually need help because I get some part of it wrong. And I haven't even lived in NJ in the last 15 years! I just haven't driven much in my life until verrry recently.
But hey, buying gas in NJ means I don't have to get out of my car in bad weather, plus it is like 50+ cents cheaper per gallon than if I buy it in NY, so that's pretty win/win to me.
Post by Captain Serious on Jul 20, 2015 11:05:08 GMT -5
Lobbyists. The gas retailers and employees are worried it would put all the mom and pop stores (and their workers) out of business as larger, self-serve stations move in.
I'm an Oregon native and LOVE not having to pump my own gas. I live way out in East County (East of Portland) and when the east wind gets ripping down the gorge, and it's raining sideways I am so happy I don't have to stand out in it! I have pumped my own gas maybe twice.
Post by peachmojito on Jul 20, 2015 11:46:34 GMT -5
My H is from Jersey, I'm from PA. I've lived in NJ for ten years now and not pumping my own gas is luxurious, especially in the snow and rain. When my H came out to visit me when we first started dating, I had to help him figure it out. It was cute.
We are similarly infantilized in Oregon--it blows. Every time the topic comes up for debate at the state legislature, there are always two main reasons: safety--even though millions of people in 48 states manage to pump their own gas without self-immolating or blowing shit up; and JOBS!--as though these part-time jobs pumping gas are supporting the state's economy or something. Then there are the people who start whining about how tragic it will be to have to get out of their cars at the gas station (it RAINS here!) and about how they'll get gas on their hands--ew!!!11!!
I really don't fucking get it.
You do understand that not every job creation effort is about the greater economy, right? It's about providing gainful employment for people who need it -- for their personal/family economy, and yeno, food and stuff.
We are similarly infantilized in Oregon--it blows. Every time the topic comes up for debate at the state legislature, there are always two main reasons: safety--even though millions of people in 48 states manage to pump their own gas without self-immolating or blowing shit up; and JOBS!--as though these part-time jobs pumping gas are supporting the state's economy or something. Then there are the people who start whining about how tragic it will be to have to get out of their cars at the gas station (it RAINS here!) and about how they'll get gas on their hands--ew!!!11!!
I really don't fucking get it.
You do understand that not every job creation effort is about the greater economy, right? It's about providing gainful employment for people who need it -- for their personal/family economy, and yeno, food and stuff.
So do the attendants get tips for this or is it just included in the price of gas? (Never been to the Garden State.)
Normally I would say no, but I bought gas at lunch today (in NJ), it came to $24, I forked over $25, and the guy made no gesture to give me change before he walked off. Maybe I said thanks too enthusiastically.
But it was 9000 degrees out and he washed my windshields, so I was okay with him tipping himself.
You do understand that not every job creation effort is about the greater economy, right? It's about providing gainful employment for people who need it -- for their personal/family economy, and yeno, food and stuff.
Nah--I'm too stupid to get that.
It's a spurious argument, at least in OR.
Spurious how? If people pump their own gas, the jobs go away. It creates jobs.
Spurious how? If people pump their own gas, the jobs go away. It creates jobs.
Having telephone operators created jobs, too, but we don't have them anymore because they're unnecessary. How many jobs have been eliminated over the years because they became obsolete? Why is this particular part-time, minimum wage job worth saving if others were not, when it's so clearly unnecessary (as evidenced by the 48 states that allow customers to pump their own gas)?
It's a spurious argument because businesses and politicians are all too happy to eliminate (or send overseas) living-wage, skilled jobs when it suits them. But gas-pumping jobs? OH GOD, NO--THAT'S A BRIDGE TOO FAR!!