Jersey girls don't pump gas

[CapeMayMommy]

My coworkers and I were talking about the election last month. Our current governor lost. I am from New Jersey.

I am a Democrat, but admitted that I didn't vote for him... When I told my two male coworkers that "he lost my vote the day he proposed I should pump my own gasoline." My two male coworkers thought I was nuts.

In New Jersey, there is a sign on every gas pump that states it is unlawful for patrons to pump their own gas. (only New Jersey and Oregon have this law) New Jersey has had consistantly amongst the lowest prices for gas in the country despite full service only. The governor proposed that I would save $.06/gallon or $.60 per week pumping my own . (yeah, right) This in a state where property taxes average 6000k for a modest detached home.

If I want to save $.60 , I'll clip coupons. Gas is nasty, stinky stuff. He proposed that I get out of my car, leaving my children in their car seats, possibly dressed in heels,stocking and a dress in 10 degree weather. Yeah , right.

I am not the only New Jersyean who feels this way. No other issue received such a pubic outcry as this. Woman's groups, and groups for the elderly and disabled came out against Corzine's proposal to change to self service at gas stations.

If you are from New Jersey or Oregon, do you like the law?

If you are not from New Jersey or Oregon, do you wish you had this law or do you think that it's just nuts to not want to pump your own gas?

 

[npmommie]

LOL.......I am not from NJ, but spent my summers in cape may most of my life.
as adult I remember loving that I never had to pump gas when I went to jersey.
I still rarely pump my own gas. If I need gas and hubby is not with me, I go to a full serve station, even if its more.

 

[mickeyboat]

Whenever I am traveling to NC, I make a point to stop in NJ for gas. I love not having to pump it.

That being said, if your state could generate additional revenue during this financial crisis by requiring that you pump your own gas, I say they should do it, It really isn't all that bad. Use your credit card at the pump so you are right next to the car with your kids inside. Plan for gas purchases so that you are not in heels. Dress for the weather.

It really isn't that big of a deal.

ETA - I would be willing to bet that there will still be stations in NJ which will offer full service for an additional fee. You could go there.

 

[golfgal]

First I am going to guess that you really pay $6000 for takes not $60,000,000. Second, big deal, the rest of the country pumps their own gas. It really isn't a big deal, especially since all the pumps have pay at the pump options so you never have to go inside to pay. It takes a lot less time to pump your own then to wait for someone else to do it. What a silly reason not to vote for someone .

 

[Jennasis]

My MIL adamantly refuses to pump her own gas, claiming "I don't know how." She willactually drive 10 miles out of her way to the one full serve in the area. She IS nuts.

Pumping you own gas is not a big deal. Women everywhere (except Jersey and Oregon apparently) have been doing it for ages...in heels/skrts/stocking....with kids in their car seats...in the rain...and nobody has yet died.

Using THAt as your argument for not voting for a candidate is a little wacky IMO.

 

[McDISer]

Your state is confusing.
The rest of the United States is so used to pumping our own gas.
Anyway, what is the correct procedure, do you pay before the attendant puts gas into your vehicle?
Or does he collect after the gas is put in.
Most times I use my gas card to get gas, does the attendant do this for you too?
What happens if you want to make a purchase in the store.
Sorry, but the protocol was so confusing when I stopped for gas. The attendant looked at me like I was trying to rob him or something. Neither of us knew what the other was doing.

 

[DVCLiz]

I think it's nuts.

 

[Imzadi]

I'm from NY. I LOVE coming to NJ for gas. The only times I wish I could pump my own gas is when it's really busy there is a wait for the guy to come over and start pumping or to finish the transaction.

It will be so weird to have to pump gas in NJ. It's been like that for as long as I remember.

 

[*BTMRR*]

So do you tip the attendant? That could be another whole DIS tipping thread. Maybe it already is and I just haven't seen it!

 

[pilotwife_02]

I grew up in NJ and didn't know how to pump my own gas until I was 21 and moved out of state.

Anyway, is it true that you would save money if it changed to pump your own? I heard MANY years ago that it would actually cost more at first since all the stations would have to convert their pumps to the self serve and that would increase prices. I know a lot of station still have the old pumps and after your gas has been pumped the gas station attendants then take your card and run it through the one and only credit card machine. So taking that into consideration it would cause an increase and that's why it hasn't been done yet.

 

[pilotwife_02]

So do you tip the attendant? That could be another whole DIS tipping thread. Maybe it already is and I just haven't seen it!

No! Thankfully you don't have to tip the attendant! Oh how I miss NJ

 

[DVCMikey]

My MIL adamantly refuses to pump her own gas, claiming "I don't know how." She willactually drive 10 miles out of her way to the one full serve in the area. She IS nuts.

Pumping you own gas is not a big deal. Women everywhere (except Jersey and Oregon apparently) have been doing it for ages...in heels/skrts/stocking....with kids in their car seats...in the rain...and nobody has yet died.

Using THAt as your argument for not voting for a candidate is a little wacky IMO.

I am from NJ and like not having to pump gas. However, it stinks when you get a lazy attendant and it takes them forever to come back to your car when its done.

I have gotten out of my truck and started taking the pump out, only to have an arab guy yell at me. lol

 

[Micca]

There must be a full-service gas station around here somewhere but I have no idea where it is. I guess it's nice be waited on, but really it's no big deal to fill your own tank. OTOH, I'm a guy so I seldom wear a skirt and heels

 

[kidzmom3]

if that is truly the only reason you did not vote for a candidate. That is crazy reasoning. That would be cutting off your nose to spite your face. When you put it that way, it also makes you sound . . snooty. I am sure not everyone in NJ is wealthy!!!! I bet its a pretty small percentage, just like every where. They make accommodations at self serve gas stations for the disabled.

 

[JessicaR]

CapeMayMommy,

Living in NY and pumping my own gas has never bothered me. It bothers me less now that I have two boys that jump out to do it. Around here it's easy enough to find a station that pumps - HESS, frequently.

I would however LOVE to have Jersey gas prices!

 

[GJM]

I didn't know how to pump gas until I was 43 and moved to SC!

I HATE to pump my own gas, I have been doing it almost 3 years now and still HATE it. Someone said it is so easy - OK what is more easier to roll down your window hand them your cc and tell them to fill it up!

I have a sticker on my car that says "Jersey girls don't pump gas"!

And I have never had a problem with someone stealing my cc number, most gas stations don't always have a store.

Pull up to the pump, roll down window, hand cash or CC, the attendant pumps gas, gives you a receipt, roll up window and you are on your way. If there is a store and you need to go pull up to the store area and go in. No tipping the attendant.

 

[monkey68]

I'm from NY, and I get gas when I'm in NJ because it's cheaper, but I hate waiting for the person to notice I'm there. Once, I was sitting there, honking my horn, and nobody came out. Much easier if I can do it myself. I put gas purchases on my credit card, so I pay at the pump. If you did the same, you wouldn't be leaving the kids alone.

As far as pumping in heels and a skirt, it's not that big a deal. You'd have to be a real spazz to get gas all over you. And if you can't stand in the heels long enough to pump gas, you probably wouldn't be in for a very comfortable night anyway. I once got gas after leaving my friends wedding at 2 am. I was in Mass., and I was staying in a hotel in Boston, but the wedding was about an hour away. I was leaving the next morning, but I got gas on my way yhome from the wedding since it was a lot cheaper by where the wedding was. So I pumped gas in my heels, little black dress, hair and makeup all done up, and it was cold! I survived, no big deal.

 

[JessicaR]

So do you tip the attendant? That could be another whole DIS tipping thread. Maybe it already is and I just haven't seen it!

I remember when getting gas having windows washed, all the windows, got the attendant a tip. Havent seen that happen anywhere since I was little. I also remember them checking the oil!

 

[DVCMikey]

if that is truly the only reason you did not vote for a candidate. That is crazy reasoning. That would be cutting off your nose to spite your face. When you put it that way, it also makes you sound . . snooty. I am sure not everyone in NJ is wealthy!!!! I bet its a pretty small percentage, just like every where. They make accommodations at self serve gas stations for the disabled.

Well, if they demanded gas to be pumped in all states, it would create jobs. Oddly enough, we have attendants here in NJ, and we still have some of the lowest gas prices in the nation.

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

It's pretty silly to be upset about having to spend 5 minutes a week pumping your own gas. Somehow the rest of the country manages it.