Jersey girls don't pump gas

[eliza61]

Seriously! I enjoy being in NJ and having someone else pumping my gas. I'm no more or less "independent" when I'm there than I am living in RI and pumping my own.

I'm convinced. There's not a single topic on the DIS that people can't turn into an argument.Oh, JB, cut the drama. I haven't seen one "horrified" woman. And yeah, THAT would be the measure of the status of the "Women's Movement"...pumping gas in another state.

Oh so true!!

 

[Jennasis]

The thing about having someone else pump gas for me that wigs me out is HANDING OVER MY CREDIT CARD. You really trust the attendant to not copy the number? I don't.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

The modern"state of the Art" gas pumps in the other 48 states asks if its credit or debit when you swipe. Its a computer screen .

People that pay cash , usually go inside with a $10 or $20 bill and put that much in the car. I find its mostly people who cant get credit-or dont have a bank account who pay cash-from what I see.

But from what the Op originally said-that she didnt vote fro a particular polititian because he might make her pump gas-is simply silly

Where you come up with things, I don't know. "I find its mostly people who cant get credit-or dont have a bank account who pay cash-from what I see"...how "highclass" and judgmental of you. Do you park yourself at gas stations and watch how people pay? And then quiz them on why they pay cash? Bizarre.

I pay with a credit card at home. In NJ, finally with this past weekend's trip, I made sure to have enough cash on me to buy gas with cash because it costs less. Usually I charge just about everything on a trip.

The thing about having someone else pump gas for me that wigs me out is HANDING OVER MY CREDIT CARD. You really trust the attendant to not copy the number? I don't.

What about when you pay for other things with a credit card? Do you trust them?

 

[fraggle551]

The thing about having someone else pump gas for me that wigs me out is HANDING OVER MY CREDIT CARD. You really trust the attendant to not copy the number? I don't.

You watch them the entire time. It's not like they are walking off with your credit card. You pull up, roll down your window. The attendant comes over. You say what you would like "20 regular cash, fill it regular cash, fill it regular credit.....whatever". The attendant then walks about 2 feet away, puts in your credit card (if you are paying by credit), puts in that the machine should stop at $20, unscrews your gas cap, puts the nozzle in, and starts filling the car.

He then goes to another car, leaving your card in the machine. When the amount of gas you wanted is in your car, he then removes the nozzle and hands you your credit card and receipt. Unless he has an extreme photographic memory, there is no way he can copy down your credit card number. You see him the entire time he is pumping your gas.

It's the same with cash. If you are only getting $20 of regular, at the end when he is done filling up your car, he comes to your window and you hand him $20. You can usually also do this at the beginning too.



I think i'm going to video tape the next time I get gas just to clear up the confusion. And once again, it's not that I can't or refuse to pump my own gas, it's ILLEGAL. The attendants literally stop you from touching the pump. Sorry, but i'm not willing to battle and go to jail over the right to pump my own gas. If I so desperately wanted to, I would drive over a town and fill up there. It does not make me any less of a woman because someone pumps my gas for me.

 

[mjkacmom]

Where you come up with things, I don't know. "I find its mostly people who cant get credit-or dont have a bank account who pay cash-from what I see"...how "highclass" and judgmental of you. Do you park yourself at gas stations and watch how people pay? And then quiz them on why they pay cash? Bizarre.

I pay with a credit card at home. In NJ, finally with this past weekend's trip, I made sure to have enough cash on me to buy gas with cash because it costs less. Usually I charge just about everything on a trip.What about when you pay for other things with a credit card? Do you trust them?

I was thinking the same thing - I can't tell you how many times I've given my credit card number over the phone! My credit card was used fraudlenly (sp) only once - after a trip to WDW, to send money to a prison in Florida. I also pay in cash, because our local stations here in NJ give you a cash discount.

 

[AnnetteF]

I am from Connecticut and I will still go out of my way not to pump my own gas. Gas IS smelly and disgusting. (They should have a little sink for you to wash your hands after!) As long as there are full service stations around, they will get my business - even if it costs a little more. When I know I am going to be driving through New Jersey, I always make a point of waiting to fill up if I can until I am in New Jersey (and the prices have always been lower, too!). I have always appreciated that aspect of NJ and I can understand why that means so much to you.

 

[npmommie]

The modern"state of the Art" gas pumps in the other 48 states asks if its credit or debit when you swipe. Its a computer screen .

People that pay cash , usually go inside with a $10 or $20 bill and put that much in the car. I find its mostly people who cant get credit-or dont have a bank account who pay cash-from what I see.

But from what the Op originally said-that she didnt vote fro a particular polititian because he might make her pump gas-is simply silly

Hmmmm, I pay cash for gas the majority of the time, and I can say none of your assumptions is true about me. not sure how you came up with that one

I guess I'll be the first to admit this........ If I pull into a station where you can pump your own, or pay more to have it pumped, well, I'm paying more. Pumping gas is like dusting, I only do it when forced to.

yep, what she said

 

[mhsjax]

Hmmmm, I pay cash for gas the majority of the time, and I can say none of your assumptions is true about me. not sure how you came up with that one


yep, what she said

I agree, my dad refused to use a credit card, I mean he NEVER had one and would not get one, also he would not use a debit or ATM card, he walked in and paid cash for everything. And I am here to tell you that he could afford to pay for anything that he wanted in cash including his new house and his new car, He just didn't believe in credit cards. As far as using your ATM card, it authorizes a certain amount and if you don't use that amount and use a smaller amt you have to wait for it to drop off and become available. So not everyone who pays cash is a credit risk or a loser who can't get credit.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

I think i'm going to video tape the next time I get gas just to clear up the confusion. And once again, it's not that I can't or refuse to pump my own gas, it's ILLEGAL. The attendants literally stop you from touching the pump. Sorry, but i'm not willing to battle and go to jail over the right to pump my own gas. If I so desperately wanted to, I would drive over a town and fill up there. It does not make me any less of a woman because someone pumps my gas for me.

That would be great if you videotaped it and posted it.

Yeah, OK, women in NJ are prima donnas for not pumping their own gas. I'll repeat what many have already stated...it's ILLEGAL. Day to day living, I'm guessing most people's lives take place in the state they live in. So, I'm not surprised that many people in NJ would find it confusing to pump gas if they've never done it.

Still, I occasionally run across a gas station in RI, MA, CT, where the set up is just different. We have two zip codes, for different reasons, and one gas station required my billing zip code...I started to put in the wrong one, couldn't clear it, but was told (on the gas pump screen) to see an attendant, who is waiting on people (possibly in a line) at a convenience store. So I left, and it irked me enough that I avoid that station (easy enough...there are a slew in one area). I also like getting a receipt, and another station consistently was out of paper at the pump, and I'd have to go in and get the receipt (I avoid that one too now). Some you have to lift the lever, some you don't. Certainly doable, but if you're from NJ, and have never done it, you've got to figure it out.

Self-serve aisles at grocery stores aren't rocket science either, but I prefer someone do it for me, especially if I've got a ton of stuff.

Hey, it's just nice to have someone else pump the gas. As also stated previously, NJ's got some low gas prices. So what don't people get about the fact that NJites enjoy the situation? And why does that get other people all worked up???

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Hmmmm, I pay cash for gas the majority of the time, and I can say none of your assumptions is true about me. not sure how you came up with that one

Because BelleWDW is High Class.

 

[Rora]

I am a Southern Girl who has ALWAYS known how to pump my own gas and I've never had a problem with it. That being said, I rarely pump my own gas as my DFiance is usually with me. However, even if I was in heels, in a dress, with my kids in the back seat, I'd pump my own gas. Heck, my mom did.

I guess I don't see what the big deal is? It's gas. If you have a car, you need gas. Yes it's smells, yes it's messy I guess but whatever. Great way to reinforce gender stereotypes..

EDIT: I understand it's illegal to pump your own gas in NJ but the women who are claiming that they never would even if it wasn't illegal seems a bit silly, IMO.

 

[mhsjax]

Because BelleWDW is High Class.

NOpe, someone who is truly high class would not bring that up. lol

 

[chisnpeke]

I am from Connecticut and I will still go out of my way not to pump my own gas. Gas IS smelly and disgusting. (They should have a little sink for you to wash your hands after!) As long as there are full service stations around, they will get my business - even if it costs a little more. When I know I am going to be driving through New Jersey, I always make a point of waiting to fill up if I can until I am in New Jersey (and the prices have always been lower, too!). I have always appreciated that aspect of NJ and I can understand why that means so much to you.

I agree with this! Or at least some hand wipes. I hate it when you get it on your hands and have to deal with the smell.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

NOpe, someone who is truly high class would not bring that up. lol

Usernames don't always fit the user.

 

[Acklander]

I don't think I'd not vote for someone just because they wanted me to pump my own gas. I try to look at more important issues.
I'd assume the reason why gas is cheaper in NJ has nothing to do with having attendants pump the gas, but because the taxes on the gas is cheaper.
Would you have voted for pumping your own gas if they took that 6 cents per gallon saved, and raised the taxes by 6 cents and used that money towards lowering your property taxes? That way, you'd have all those people who come from out of state for the cheaper gas contributing towards your property tax bill?
Personally, I don't think the state should be telling me I HAVE to let someone else pump my gas for me, I think it should be a personal choice. Those who like having someone else pump their gas can go to a self service station, and those who like to pump their own can go to the self service. Public demand should make the choice, not the state.

 

[mjkacmom]

IPersonally, I don't think the state should be telling me I HAVE to let someone else pump my gas for me, I think it should be a personal choice. Those who like having someone else pump their gas can go to a self service station, and those who like to pump their own can go to the self service. Public demand should make the choice, not the state.

As you can see by this thread, public demand here in NJ LOVES the fact that we don't have to pump our own gas. WE are not complaining about this great benefit - only those out of state seem to think not pumping your own gas is a hardship. Trust me - folks here would not be happy if things changed.

 

[Boxley]

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?

You dressed the kids in heels, stockings and dresses in frozen weather?

 

[ZephyrHawk]

Way back when we did have full service pumps in my area (never had the requirement, just the option) pretty much no one ever used them because it was more expensive. This in my home town full of wealthy, Cadillac driving individuals. I don't think I'd ever use them now. Maybe if it was really cold out. Like, 10 below or something.

If that's your cause, though, go for it. Everyone has something they simply will not do. For some it's murder, for others it might be pumping gas.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

Hey, it's just nice to have someone else pump the gas. As also stated previously, NJ's got some low gas prices. So what don't people get about the fact that NJites enjoy the situation? And why does that get other people all worked up???

Well, the OP asked a question, I don't think people answering honestly is necessarily the same thing as getting "worked up".

I said it before and I'll say it again. It's not the fact that you prefer not to pump your own gas that gives off the prima donna impression, it's the crowing about it like it's some special thing with bumper stickers and choosing a candidate for governor based on whether you have to pump gas or not.

I know now that it's a big inside joke in New Jersey, but really, how are other people supposed to know that? Do you know all of the other states' inside jokes? The OP appeared to be asking an honest question of those in other states and we answered.

As you can see by this thread, public demand here in NJ LOVES the fact that we don't have to pump our own gas. WE are not complaining about this great benefit - only those out of state seem to think not pumping your own gas is a hardship. Trust me - folks here would not be happy if things changed.

Not a hardship, just not the great benefit you seem to think it is.

Way back when we did have full service pumps in my area (never had the requirement, just the option) pretty much no one ever used them because it was more expensive. This in my home town full of wealthy, Cadillac driving individuals. I don't think I'd ever use them now. Maybe if it was really cold out. Like, 10 below or something.

This is my memory, too. Wasn't it the gas crisis in the 70's that led to self service stations? For a while, every station had two options, self-serve or full-serve. Self-serve was about 20 cents less than full, and over time, no one used full serve anymore, so they shut them all down (and this was also a very upper-middle class to wealthy area). For a while, I remember my mom having what appears to be a New Jersey attitude about it (though she was from Germany). She thought it would be smelly, dirty, or hard to do, so she'd go to full-serve. Then she tried it a few times, realized it wasn't that bad and wasn't worth the money to have someone else do it.

Several have already said they pay cash because it's cheaper than credit, I would bet there are plenty of NJites that would go to the self-serve if it were available, because it's cheaper, too. Maybe not those on this thread, and that's fine. Free choice is always better than a law mandating one way or the other.

 

[JerseyJanice]

I was mostly joking about adding gas pumping to my husband's list of chores.

Seriously, though, in almost 15 years of marriage, he has never vaccuumed or mopped a floor, never dusted a single item or cleaned a toilet. He very rarely helps with the dishes and laundry. He doesn't cook or go grocery shopping--or any other shopping for that matter. The least the guy can do is take out the garbage and mow the lawn. If we had to pump gas in NJ, I'd have him do that too. If he were ill or injured, we have a teenaged son who can manage his chores. I pretty much keep our household functioning by myself, and on top of it all, I have a full time job.

One thing I want to say about NJ is that we pay a lot more for many things than most other states. Our property taxes are insane; we pay through the nose for car insurance too. Housing prices whether you rent or own are also exorbitant. The one thing we seem to get a tiny break on is gas prices. And as a few PPs have pointed out, they're not that low, but it seems to be the one small perk we get living here.

As the cliche goes, if something isn't broken, don't fix it! Despite all NJ gas stations being full serve, we still have lower than average gas prices. I don't want to give that up although I don't see it as a big voting issue.