Jersey girls don't pump gas

[Carly_Roach]

I don't think that is what she was implying. It seemed to me the OP thinks pumping gas is beneath her because she has to wear "heels, stockings and dresses." So just because you are wearing all of that means you can't pump gas? To me that deserves a "give me a break."

I bet in all the other states if a woman shows up wearing just the heels and stockings she'll have lots of volunteers to pump the gas for her so she won't get dirty. She probably wouldn't even have to get out of the car, either.

 

[minnie1012]

I'm 37 and have lived in NJ my whole life and have never pumped gas! I love it because its just something I am used to at this point. We pay so much in property taxes that its a nice perk to have!

I always get gas before I go out of state and it lasts me (going just to NY or PA). When we drove to FL this year I did put the credit card in and hit the buttons but my husband did the rest.

 

[Shutterbug]

I go to a full serve station, even if its more.

What is this full service gas station you are talking about? I have not seen one of those in forever. I know we dont have any in our area and havent been for a very very long time.

 

[gina2000]

After reading this thread... do women in NJ really feel they have some entitlement over the rest of us women in the US? What happened to being self sufficient? I have no problem mowing the yard. It's great exercise. I take out the trash. I pump my own gas - shocker! I also raise my children without the help of a nanny or a babysitter, do the grocery shopping, and pay the bills. My hubby earns the money.

My choices about gas pumping have nothing to do with entitlement and everything to do with preference.

I am totally self-sufficient. I do everything you do as well as earn the cash in the household. I just have no interest in learning how to pump gas.

And my voting choices had nothing to do with self serve gas pumps. I knew nothing about it.

 

[mbfqueen]

Come to Oregon, we don't either!!

I love it .. in fact kids got a pic of me in Washington State pumping .. it was a nightmare .. I am a college professional and read all the instructions and thought ok, teens can do this, so can I .. I looked like something from Laurel and Hardy lol

We have full service too .. even if it's for partial payment .. (usually it's only of full tanks)

So I am with you OP! No self pumping gas, yuck!

 

[CapeMayMommy]

I think many of you miss the humor of the OP's post. It's really a Jersey thing. It's kind of a running joke. We don't really make decisions based on this one thing. But if you don't like the candidate already this would be just more point against him. We didn't really vote out a sitting governor because he taxed tp. But it didn't make any of us like him any more.

Thank you.

We elected this guy to fix the problem of unbelievably high property taxes. We pay more in a quarter than many Americans pay in an entire year. His first great idea? Pump your own gas and save $.06 a gallon.

It's not a feminist issue---we can all learn to pump gas. Even men in suits or women in dresses. But why take away a good thing to save pennies? Most New Jerseyans never believed the price of gas would go down.

It is a Jersey thing

question:

How do states with only self serve accomodate drivers who use wheelchairs?

 

[just4today]

How do states with only self serve accomodate drivers who use wheelchairs?

There is a button on the pump that says "call for assistance."

 

[CapeMayMommy]

There is a button on the pump that says "call for assistance."

see, you learn something new everyday!!

Can I push the button if I am not disabled, just from New Jersey?

 

[PlainJane]

The only time I would ever appreciate this service would be when I have to pay cash, but that's a once in a blue moon situation.

Beyond that, I've never had a problem pumping in heals or the rain (All the pumps here are covered). The cold also isn't an issue because I have a coat on for where ever it is I'm going after the gas station.

I wouldn't not vote for a guy over it. I might write him as a constituent, telling him that I didn't like his new plan and the reasons why I would appreciate it if he didn't implement it.

 

[just4today]

Can I push the button if I am not disabled, just from New Jersey?

Sure - the attendant would probably assume you have a hidden disability J/K

 

[sdemore]

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?

No way do I want the law to change. As previously stated, our gas prices are among the lowest and I don't buy into the proposal that we will save in the long run, prices would probably drop briefly and then begin to climb.

 

[Tink888]

You'd be just as likely to check yourself out using the cash register as you would be allowed to pump your own gas - it is against the law here, and yes, the attendant would stop you.

Yes, I get that it's against the law....my point is that there are probably many people passing through New Jersey who need gas and aren't aware of the law. Are there signs that post you can't pump? And if you unknowingly start pumping is there a huge embarrassing scene? What is the punishment if you attempt to do it? Will the pump even work?

I ask that in all seriousness. It is just baffling to me because everyone in the other 48 states is accustomed to pumping their own gas and I could see a lot of out of state people not knowing that they can't do that in NJ.

 

[Caradana]

I am Jersey born and bred and I love, love, LOVE that I don't need to get out of the car when it's 10 degrees and touch the nasty gas nozzle. I'm also glad that we create low-cost, low-skill jobs for people with this policy, as the cost increase inherent to paying gas pump workers is offset by the fact that a lot of America's fuel ships into Elizabeth, NJ, so transport costs from there are very low and there is no interstate tax. NJ has relatively low gas costs versus the rest of the country, WITH full service.

NJ property taxes are high in some part because NJ has some of the best school districts and social services in the entire country. Millburn, Summit, Basking Ridge, Northern Highlands, Chatham, Princeton - these districts regularly send 90%+ of graduates to four-year colleges. I have a townhouse in one of those districts and once I have kids, I expect to live there full time, and pay top dollar in taxes for top-quality schools. It's a tradeoff I'm willing to make.

 

[JVL1018]

I think it's nuts to not vote for someone just because of the gas pumping thing.

That said, I am happy not to have to pump my own gas, I am happy anytime I don't have to do a chore.

I rarely if ever have to wait more than 30 seconds for an attendant to come over, my friends from out of state love filling up in NJ before they drive back home from my house, and yes I have pumped my own gas.. maybe two or three times.
Most times I am driving out of state I am with my husband and he does it.

Not knowing how to is not that big of a hardship, I may look like a dork reading the gas pump the couple of times I did it, but it was simple enough.
So if any NJ girls go out of state, don't worry, they have directions.

Just because you never have doesn't mean you can't. I hope we never have to here at home, though.

 

[JVL1018]

Yes, I get that it's against the law....my point is that there are probably many people passing through New Jersey who need gas and aren't aware of the law. Are there signs that post you can't pump? And if you unknowingly start pumping is there a huge embarrassing scene? What is the punishment if you attempt to do it? Will the pump even work?

I ask that in all seriousness. It is just baffling to me because everyone in the other 48 states is accustomed to pumping their own gas and I could see a lot of out of state people not knowing that they can't do that in NJ.

They just come over and take it from you-in a friendly manner.
My husband has gotten out of the car and taken out the nozzle on the rare occasions we are at a big gas station(most by us have 4-8 pumps, so it's not the huge stations we see in other states,, they are easy for an attendant or two to manage) and the guy is taking long with other cars.

They don't come snatch it out of his hand, but they will say thanks and take it and put it back on the pump, or if that's already done, they'll press the button or whatever it is they do to finish the sale and hand him his receipt.
Never a scene, no one yells or threatens to call the cops, nothing like that.
Just a smile and taking over from you.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

I don't think any of use from Jersey think its "beneath us" to pump gas, but why is it that we have lower gas prices and get full service?

The biggest factor that affects gas prices between different states is the tax. If NJ has lower gas taxes than other states, they are making up the difference elsewhere, such as toll roads or other taxes. Or, as Caradana just explained, if it's due to lower fuel transportation costs, that wouldn't change if the stations went to self-service.

Someone early in the thread made a great point, though. If the law were changed and individual stations wanted to go to self-serve, they would have to spend a lot to update their stations to catch up with the rest of the country. Add covers over the pumps, install new pumps with "pay at the pump" card readers, disabled assistance call buttons, etc.

see, you learn something new everyday!!

Can I push the button if I am not disabled, just from New Jersey?

I remember when there were self-serve pumps and full-serve pumps at each gas station. People could choose whether they wanted someone else to do it, or do it themselves (and I remember the price difference being about 20 cents a gallon, not 6). That'd really be the best thing, IMO. I don't think I've seen full-service available in years.

 

[Tink888]

They just come over and take it from you-in a friendly manner.
My husband has gotten out of the car and taken out the nozzle on the rare occasions we are at a big gas station(most by us have 4-8 pumps, so it's not the huge stations we see in other states,, they are easy for an attendant or two to manage) and the guy is taking long with other cars.

They don't come snatch it out of his hand, but they will say thanks and take it and put it back on the pump, or if that's already done, they'll press the button or whatever it is they do to finish the sale and hand him his receipt.
Never a scene, no one yells or threatens to call the cops, nothing like that.
Just a smile and taking over from you.

Thanks

One more quick question - Now here in PA, specifically on the turnpike, we have service areas where you can get gas without ever having to exit off of the turnpike. Does the Jersey turnpike have service areas like that on the turnpike? And, are those service stations also manned by gas attendants or can customers there self-serve?

 

[JVL1018]

Thanks

One more quick question - Now here in PA, specifically on the turnpike, we have service areas where you can get gas without ever having to exit off of the turnpike. Does the Jersey turnpike have service areas like that on the turnpike? And, are those service stations also manned by gas attendants or can customers there self-serve?

We have rest areas right off the Garden State Parkway and the NJ Turnpike-right along the highway-they always have a building with fast food options and a general store type of shop and there is a big gas station as well, fully staffed.

 

[sdemore]

Are you for real?? heaven forbid your husband was laid up in bed for a few days. Boy, would your house stink.

After reading this thread... do women in NJ really feel they have some entitlement over the rest of us women in the US? What happened to being self sufficient? I have no problem mowing the yard. It's great exercise. I take out the trash. I pump my own gas - shocker! I also raise my children without the help of a nanny or a babysitter, do the grocery shopping, and pay the bills. My hubby earns the money.

We lived in NY for six years, and I always wondered why NYers said they would never go to Jersey.

I have nothing against those that love living there or whatever, to each his/her own... I just don't get it. No one would ever "lose my vote" just because they mentioned pumping my own gas.

Jersey girls are self-sufficient! I mow the lawn, take out trash, raised 2 terrific kids without the help of a nanny, do grocery shopping, pay bills, clean the house from top to bottom, DH does too, sometimes and I bring home a paycheck! And I am extremely happy to sit in my car and let someone else pump my gas! I wouldn't let someone push my grocery cart for me, as someone else mentioned previously because by the end of the day I need something to lean on! Do you ever use the drive-thru at a bank or fast food restaurant? Do you consider that entitlement or just lazy. I doubt the OP voted against Corzine just over the gas issue. I too am a NJ democrat that did not vote for Corzine. Why, because he was a lousy governor!

Can't wait until I get to the World and have someone clean the bathroom, make the bed,( ya gotta luv mousekeeping), cook the food and drive the monorail!

 

[Tink888]

We have rest areas right off the Garden State Parkway and the NJ Turnpike-right along the highway-they always have a building with fast food options and a general store type of shop and there is a big gas station as well, fully staffed.

Thanks again.