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[DJ_Tet]

In New Jersey? Or can you?

I'm a southerner, so I never heard of this rule until my cousin married a girl from NJ. Can't pump your own gas? Isn't this America? Anyway, after hearing the girl had NEVER pumped her own gas until she came to Virginia, I had to believe her. This belief was seconded when I went to their wedding, and got my gas pumped for me while I was up there (NO CHARGE southerners, it's like Full Service without the fluid check or windshield wash!).

Anyway, I was relating this anecdote to a new friend of mine who vehemently remembers pumping his own gas in NJ. He drove a furniture truck from the furniture capitol of the world (Hickory NC) and distinctly remembers exits in NJ where he pumped his own gas. Needless to say, he thinks/thought I was a big fat liar.

We both remember the exit islands in NJ (replete with restaurants, hotels, and restaurants) that didn't connect to anything else (i.e. they weren't like a regular exit, they were a stop for refueling tank, tummy, and sleep). But I remember stopping at a gas station in a city where the attendant wouldn't let me out of the car, but asked me what type of gas I wanted.


Who's right? What's the gas pumping rule in NJ for us southerners? Why CAN'T we pump our own gas? If we can, why is this Jersey bitch lying and what kind of exclusive non-pumping town did her family live in? Clear it up for us poor ole southerners.

 

[Azwethinkweiz]

This is why you never go to Jersey.

 

[DJ_Tet]

Yeah but sometimes you have to go cause your cousin gets married there and there is an open bar and the chick he marries is fucking LOADED and it's a once in a lifetime wedding opportunity.

What I'm asking is, was I so hung over driving home that I imagined two gouchos pumping my gas, or what

 

[BobbyRobby]

I never pumped my own gas. (Edit: I live in New Jersey)

Its a good thing. I don't have to get out of my car, and many people get real easy jobs.

 

[Azwethinkweiz]

My guess is you imagined it. But then again, I wouldn't put anything past that God forsaken state.

 

[DJ_Tet]

My guess is you imagined it. But then again, I wouldn't put anything past that God forsaken state.

Your guess is wrong, I didn't imagine it. Why can't I pump my own gas in NJ, and why does my friend think I'm full of shit cause he remembers pumping his own gas in the same state, albeit not in a recreational vehicle?


peace

 

[White Man]

You can't pump your own gas in Jersey. Fact. Your friend's misremembering his experiences.

EDIT: NJ is one of the few things I fear more than being forgotten, getting close to people, and telephones. An old associate of mine died there some 4 years back.

 

[DJ_Tet]

You can't pump your own gas in Jersey. Fact. Your friend's misremembering his experiences.

EDIT: NJ is one of the few things I fear more than being forgotten, getting close to people, and telephones. An old associate of mine died there some 4 years back.

OK, good to hear. But he and I both remember the "exits" with just gas stations, fast food, and motels. They were like 'islands' as they didn't connect to anything other than the interstate. i/e you could get off the interstate to eat, gas, sleep, but the only place to go from there was back on to the interstate. Could you pump your own gas there? The only place we filled up was in town, we didn't stop at one of the islands.



And why CAN'T you pump your own gas there? My dad theorized that it was a union/gangster job, much like trash collection. The gas wasn't noticably more expensive in NJ than it was in Maryland, yet they had to pay people to pump gas for us. Seems fishy

 

[White Man]

My personal experience with Jersey isn't extensive, but it appears that it's illegal to pump your own gas anywhere in the state.

I googled up some information. Basically, in the 40s, Jersey lawmakers didn't think it safe to allow Joe Blow to handle your typical everyday combustible fluid. Since then, pumping gas has gotten safer, but the law is kept because it's argued that people like the service and it creates jobs. Opponents of the law say it wastes time.

 

[fart]

oregon's lawbooks feature this stupid law as well.

 

[Ozchin]

I was told that liability was the main reason most gas stations in Japan don't let you pump your own gas. There would always be some retard who would pump gas into improper containers, or end up spilling it everywhere, or people would probably smoke while pumping gas!!!

I have never used full-service in California. It's not worth 0.20/gal. (+tip?) to have someone else do it for me.

 

[DJ_Tet]

I was told that liability was the main reason most gas stations in Japan don't let you pump your own gas. There would always be some retard who would pump gas into improper containers, or end up spilling it everywhere, or people would probably smoke while pumping gas!!!

I have never used full-service in California. It's not worth 0.20/gal. (+tip?) to have someone else do it for me.

It's at LEAST a 20 cent a bump per gallon in the south, if not more. In fact, if we decide to go "full service", where the gas is pumped for us, we get our oil, antifreeze, and other liquid levels checked. We also get our windshield washed. None of this happened in Jersey, but like I said, the price wasn't any more than I'd expect to pay for premium gas in the south.

As a southerner, I find it amusing that "people aren't 'trusted' to pump their own gas." It's not really rocket science. My grandfather who has had several strokes can do it, as long as someone can pay for it

Man, down south you see people smoking, on their cell phones, and lighting fireworks while pumping gas. OK maybe I exaggerated on the last thing, but I've seen plenty of people pumping gas into illegal containers while on the cell phone and dumping ashes into said container.

 

[DarienA]

I'm curious to know how Jersey's unemployment rate compares to pump your own gas states... seriously there's got to be a higher % of employment simply based on the # of people who pump gas there.

BTW it is illegal in NJ to pump your own gas if that hasn't already been confirmed.

And for folks who think pumping their gas is simple and no big deal? Yeah it is... but trust me if you seen some of the people here in MD attempt to do it... you would think it was rocket science. I personally know one woman who is scared to death of it, will never do it and always has her kids do it.

 

[MetatronM]

The reason is because the law has been on the books since 1949. It was thought to be unsafe for fuel to be dispensed by unprofessionals, so they made it illegal for anyone but gas station employees to pump gas. Doesn't really make a whole hell of a lot of sense today, but the perk of not having to get your ass out of the car in the dead of winter to fill your tank is something I happily accept.

 

[Dan]

Yeah, I live/d in NJ for some 15 years and now go to college elsewhere. I can't stand pumping my own gas now. Sure, it's pretty easy and quick but I used to have other people do that shit for me, damnit! I didn't need to get out of my car in the cold winter or any of that shit. And when it's always done for you, you don't need to deal with the morons who either can't figure out how to do it, or just park next to the pump and diddle around and waste time.

 

[xsarien]

No pumping your own gas in Jersey, it's a law I'm constantly reminded of when going to Six Flags. It's stupid, sure; it's like having a law that says you can't wipe your own ass. Pumping gas doesn't take a lot of brainpower, the only reason I can think of is that it was some good-natured, horribly executed plan to retain jobs.

Interesting side note: New York State forbids gas stations from having that little latch thing so you can leave the pump unattended. That I can sort of see making sense.

 

[distantmantra]

I went to college with some people who were from Oregon and had never pumped their own gas before, suffice to say hillarity ensued when they had to do it.

 

[SKluck]

Let me DO IT! NAAAAAHHH!!

That is a weird law. You can't pump gas into your own car, but I assume you get gas to lawn mowers, dirtbikes, etc somehow.

Interesting side note: New York State forbids gas stations from having that little latch thing so you can leave the pump unattended. That I can sort of see making sense.

They automatically shut off when it is full, how does that make sense?

 

[xsarien]

They automatically shut off when it is full, how does that make sense?

Failsafe, I'd wager. If, for whatever reason that mechanism fails, you'll at least be close enough to stop any real amount of gas from overflowing.

 

[tedtropy]

Failsafe, I'd wager. If, for whatever reason that mechanism fails, you'll at least be close enough to stop any real amount of gas from overflowing.

Bah, I love that little automatic latch. Nothing like being able to have your car fill itself up while you walk into the gas station to browse the candy and porn aisles...

 

[AstroLad]

Failsafe, I'd wager. If, for whatever reason that mechanism fails, you'll at least be close enough to stop any real amount of gas from overflowing.

Haha... I had that shit "fail" on me once, spilling gas all over the place (though thankfully mostly not on me). I've never used it since then.

 

[HAOHMARU]

How is this law stupid? You don't pay anything extra at the pump for full-service like you would in other states. I'm pretty sure N.J. even has some of the cheapest gas prices...or moderate pricing anyway. I'm not sure about Oregon.

 

[MrPing1000]

haha american's are noobs

 

[xsarien]

How is this law stupid?

It's really the principle of the thing. It's 2004, most gas pumps make it incredibly easy for people who've never done it before, and between warning signs, automatic shut-offs, and stuff like SpeedPass, having someone do it for you is just unnecessary and excessive. Also, damn if I'd feel pretty bad about making the dude, who's probably earning minimum wage, come out on a cold day to fill my tank.

 

[Incognito]

i fucking hate when the failsafe latch isn't on the pump.

 

[SKluck]

I've used the same pump at the same gas station for over 18 months, so I don't need to worry about the auto-shutoff not working, though I can understand why some people would be paranoid.

 

[way more]

I never pumped my own gas. (Edit: I live in New Jersey)

Its a good thing. I don't have to get out of my car, and many people get real easy jobs.

It's a way to create jobs.

 

[Semjaza Azazel]

I've never even seen full service pumps in Chicago... lol

 

[Mr. E. Yis]

Yes, gas attendents pump your gas for you in NJ. I don't know if it's actually illegal to do it yourself here, but why would you? It's very convenient, especially in the winter. And it does help NJ's economy and employment. Mind you- if I had to, I would know how to do it myself. I've been out of the state and country before. And the prices are just as good as any other state.

 

[Pellham]

I once accidentally got full service by driving into the wrong lane at a gas station. I had to give a tip and it was pretty crappy.

I suppose it's not a big deal in NJ since you don't have to tip, but when you think about it, it's probably one of the most worthless jobs ever.

 

[tedtropy]

I once accidentally got full service by driving into the wrong lane at a gas station. I had to give a tip and it was pretty crappy.

I suppose it's not a big deal in NJ since you don't have to tip, but when you think about it, it's probably one of the most worthless jobs ever.

Nonsense, it's a lucrative career that will inevitably open up to the field of window wiping or, quite possibly, the prestigious position of oil change monkey...

 

[RevenantKioku]

I suppose it's not a big deal in NJ since you don't have to tip, but when you think about it, it's probably one of the most worthless jobs ever.

Hey, a job is a job, and that's good enough for some people.

 

[Mr. E. Yis]

NJ has a very large immigrant population.

 

[KilledByBill]

I don't see why just about everyone in this thread seems so against the idea of having someone else pump gas for them at no extra charge. I suppose it's just the typical anti-Jersey bias or possibly jealousy. Either way its one of the few perks I can think of living in this state and I'm sure I'll miss it when I'm gone.

OK, good to hear. But he and I both remember the "exits" with just gas stations, fast food, and motels. They were like 'islands' as they didn't connect to anything other than the interstate. i/e you could get off the interstate to eat, gas, sleep, but the only place to go from there was back on to the interstate. Could you pump your own gas there? The only place we filled up was in town, we didn't stop at one of the islands.

Those places are great aren't they? You can't pump gas there but it makes the drive to Atlantic City much more bearable knowing you can just pull into one of the rest areas and get some fast food and just chill.

 

[SSGMUN10000]

LOL. That reminds me when I was little kid I would do that at the neighborhood store to make some money. Yeah anyways pumping gas is not rocket scientist been doing since i was like 10yrs old.

 

[xsarien]

I don't see why just about everyone in this thread seems so against the idea of having someone else pump gas for them at no extra charge. I suppose it's just the typical anti-Jersey bias or possibly jealousy.

It's neither, trust me. It just strikes me as overly excessive. I equate it with having someone chew your food. Is it really so convenient to have to wait for the attendant when it's most likely faster to just do it yourself?

 

[BobbyRobby]

Also, damn if I'd feel pretty bad about making the dude, who's probably earning minimum wage, come out on a cold day to fill my tank.

My friend pumped gas during High School. He didn't feel bad making about $8 an hour for an extremely easy job. Most of the time, he'd sit in his booth with a TV he brought from home.

 

[RevenantKioku]

It's neither, trust me. It just strikes me as overly excessive. I equate it with having someone chew your food. Is it really so convenient to have to wait for the attendant when it's most likely faster to just do it yourself?

Is it? The only time it takes longer is if I need them to get change if i filled it up. Usually I just tell them $10 or $15 regular, and they fill it up, I hand them the money and go.

 

[Mr. E. Yis]

It's neither, trust me. It just strikes me as overly excessive. I equate it with having someone chew your food. Is it really so convenient to have to wait for the attendant when it's most likely faster to just do it yourself?

Um...there is NO wait. I could count on my hands the times I had to wait for a gas attendant in 7 years of driving here. Believe me- since the job is so easy, if an attendent doesn't care about the job, there's a big line of unemployed people who do.

But if you pump your own gas, don't you have to wait in line to pay inside??

 

[xsarien]

But if you pump your own gas, don't you have to wait in line to pay inside??

Nope. SpeedPass and credit card/ATM card readers right on the pump. In and out within a few minutes, depending on how much gas I need.

 

[Mr. E. Yis]

I always use cash anyway.

 

[dem]

I only pump my own gas if I can pay at the pump.

 

[kaching]

Um...there is NO wait. I could count on my hands the times I had to wait for a gas attendant in 7 years of driving here. Believe me- since the job is so easy, if an attendent doesn't care about the job, there's a big line of unemployed people who do.

That might be true in less trafficked areas, but try saying that after traveling on the NJ Turnpike or GS Parkway on weekends during the summer. At 3-4 lane gas stations with multiple people paying by credit card during an understaffed work shift, you'll do plenty of waiting.

 

[MoxManiac]

Full service stations are pretty rare around here. I'd say I pump my own gas about 95% of the time.

 

[atomsk]

i didnt pump my own gas till i moved out of NJ last january...

it's something you take for granted until you move away.

ocean county 4 life yo!

 

[Brian Fellows]

I've never had someone pump my gas. Hell I cant remember ever seeing a full service station before.

 

[golem]

oregon sucks.. except for their lax gun laws. it freaked me out when the attendant nearly ripped the gas handle out of my hands