GrogHeads Forum

IRL (In Real Life) => Current Events => Topic started by: OJsDad on January 03, 2018, 11:53:23 AM

Title: Oregon Is Freaking Out About...
Post by: OJsDad on January 03, 2018, 11:53:23 AM
https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/news/people-in-oregon-are-freaking-out-about-the-thought-of-pumping-their-own-gas-under-a-new-law/ar-BBHN9B6?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=spartanntp

Click on the link to see twitter statements from those who cannot handle the thought of pumping their own gas.

QuotePeople in Oregon Are Freaking Out About the Thought of Pumping Their Own Gas Under a New Law

The new year is but two days old, and already we've got a nasty online debate on our hands. But don't worry, this isn't about politics. No, follow along to the Pacific Northwest, where the fine people of Oregon are having themselves an internet freak-out for the ages over the prospect of having to pump their own gas. The horror.
Research

Up until January 1, 2018, Oregon was one of two states—the other being good old New Jersey—that required every filling station be staffed by attendants who pump your gas for you. But last spring, the state legislature passed a law allowing gas stations in rural counties with less than 40,000 residents to abandon the full-service model and let customers man the pumps themselves. The new law went into effect on Monday.

We should stop here to point out a key word above: Allowing. Station owners are under no obligation to ditch their attendants, nor are they required to let drivers pump their own gas. It's just an option. The full-service gas station seems to be a surprisingly strong part of the Oregonian identity, and the Associated Press could only find a "handful" of stations who were planning on making the switch to self-serve.

But that's not enough for the angry online hordes, who can smell a slippery slope from a mile away. When local CBS affiliate KTVL posted an online poll asking residents if they thought the law should be expanded statewide, the comments blew up with Oregonians aghast at the thought of having to dirty their hands with the dangerous work of pumping gas.

Their complaints and concerns range from smelling like gasoline to spontaneous combustion, but they're all hilarious in their complete disregard for the fact that the vast, vast majority of drivers in the world manage to fill their own tanks on a regular basis without dousing themselves in fuel or setting their car on fire. Have a look below:

That last one is our personal favorite. "I don't even know HOW to pump gas... I say NO THANKS!" Fear not, concerned Oregonian. If the reactions of your compatriots are any indication, full-service in your state is still here to stay—law or no law.
Title: Re: Oregon Is Freaking Out About...
Post by: Steelgrave on January 03, 2018, 11:55:07 AM
I remember my first trip to Oregon....I was shocked that I couldn't pump my own gas.
Title: Re: Oregon Is Freaking Out About...
Post by: airboy on January 03, 2018, 11:58:29 AM
Oregon and New Jersey deserve the prices they pay for fuel.
Title: Re: Oregon Is Freaking Out About...
Post by: DoctorQuest on January 03, 2018, 12:34:08 PM
Quote from: Steelgrave on January 03, 2018, 11:55:07 AM
I remember my first trip to Oregon....I was shocked that I couldn't pump my own gas.

Had the same reaction in NJ. WTF????
Title: Re: Oregon Is Freaking Out About...
Post by: Barthheart on January 03, 2018, 12:38:51 PM
What was the original reason for requiring gas be pumped by station employees? Maximum employment after the war? Some other economic reason? Public safety?

Hard to find stations up here where they will pump for you, most stations don't offer it at all.
Title: Re: Oregon Is Freaking Out About...
Post by: Greybriar on January 03, 2018, 12:58:01 PM
Quote from: Barthheart on January 03, 2018, 12:38:51 PM
What was the original reason for requiring gas be pumped by station employees? Maximum employment after the war? Some other economic reason? Public safety?

Hard to find stations up here where they will pump for you, most stations don't offer it at all.

I was so used to filling up my car's gas tank that I pulled in a gas station and began to pump my own gas but an attendant stopped me. He said it was against state law for me to pump my own gas. When I asked him why, he told me it was unsafe. I didn't argue with him but I always thought that was B.S.

However, knowing how sue crazy people are nowadays, I can see why the law exists.
Title: Re: Oregon Is Freaking Out About...
Post by: Sir Slash on January 03, 2018, 02:39:19 PM
I assume politicians and Hollywood celebrities are exempt from this law. Who would trust either of them with a gas pump anyway.
Title: Re: Oregon Is Freaking Out About...
Post by: GDS_Starfury on January 03, 2018, 05:35:15 PM
 :buck2:]
Title: Re: Oregon Is Freaking Out About...
Post by: airboy on January 03, 2018, 06:36:44 PM
I read a business case on this years ago.  The law was to "protect" independent gasoline sellers from horrible conglomerate competition from the national gas sellers.  This law came out (if memory serves) about the same time the anti-competition laws in grocery stores at the State level were launched against A&P (which nobody under 40 even remembers anymore).

Today, this is done to gouge consumers and enrich a special interest - those owning gas stations.

Other reasons can be given for this (safety, stupidity, whatever) but today they exist as a barrier to entry of businesses undercutting the pricing of retail gas sales.
Title: Re: Oregon Is Freaking Out About...
Post by: trailrunner on January 03, 2018, 07:09:04 PM


Quote from: Greybriar on January 03, 2018, 12:58:01 PM
I was so used to filling up my car's gas tank that I pulled in a gas station and began to pump my own gas but an attendant stopped me. He said it was against state law for me to pump my own gas.

Same thing happened to me the first time I went to NJ.

Quote from: airboy on January 03, 2018, 11:58:29 AM
Oregon and New Jersey deserve the prices they pay for fuel.

What was even more surprising to me than the mandatory full service, was that the price of gas in NJ was cheaper than in northern VA, at least the part of NJ I was used to go to (near Picatinny Arsenal).  For me, it was a win-win: full service gas at a cheaper price.  (Yes, I realize that it would have been even cheaper if they were self-serve.)
Title: Re: Oregon Is Freaking Out About...
Post by: BanzaiCat on January 03, 2018, 07:28:14 PM
Funny. The last time I had someone pump my gas was way back in 1989, at a gas station near the mall I worked at, one I never got gas at but was in need that one night. I remember the guy running out as I pulled up and thought he was going to tell me they didn't have gas, or to go away, or whatever, so I was a bit shocked when he asked what gas I wanted.
Title: Re: Oregon Is Freaking Out About...
Post by: Steelgrave on January 03, 2018, 08:11:53 PM
Quote from: airboy on January 03, 2018, 06:36:44 PM
I read a business case on this years ago.  The law was to "protect" independent gasoline sellers from horrible conglomerate competition from the national gas sellers.  This law came out (if memory serves) about the same time the anti-competition laws in grocery stores at the State level were launched against A&P (which nobody under 40 even remembers anymore).

Today, this is done to gouge consumers and enrich a special interest - those owning gas stations.

Other reasons can be given for this (safety, stupidity, whatever) but today they exist as a barrier to entry of businesses undercutting the pricing of retail gas sales.

What? You're saying it's not to protect trees and Mother Earth and the middle class but rather to enrich campaign donors gas station owners? Oh, the horror....oh, the inhumanity......that just can't be true in a Gaia-loving blue state such as Oregon!

Almost sounds like the liquor store lobby here in deep red Oklahoma. They don't even pretend the anti-competition laws are for the good of the citizenry   8)
Title: Re: Oregon Is Freaking Out About...
Post by: mirth on January 03, 2018, 09:28:02 PM
(https://i.redd.it/4mbrhak5ly701.jpg)
Title: Re: Oregon Is Freaking Out About...
Post by: bayonetbrant on January 03, 2018, 09:31:35 PM
hahahahahaahhaha
Title: Re: Oregon Is Freaking Out About...
Post by: Steelgrave on January 03, 2018, 09:54:30 PM
LMAO!
Title: Re: Oregon Is Freaking Out About...
Post by: OJsDad on January 03, 2018, 10:00:42 PM
So, does this mean if they buy an electric vehicle, that they'll need someone else to plug it in for them. 
Title: Re: Oregon Is Freaking Out About...
Post by: Pinetree on January 03, 2018, 10:03:47 PM
Man, I saw the title of the thread and immediately thought that OL were finally realising their deluxe clippers are flawed....
Title: Re: Oregon Is Freaking Out About...
Post by: Sir Slash on January 03, 2018, 11:48:16 PM
Next thing you know, they'll expect people to mow their own grass, check themselves out at Wal-Mart and scoop their own dog's poop.  :hide:
Title: Re: Oregon Is Freaking Out About...
Post by: Martok on January 03, 2018, 11:49:25 PM
Quote from: mirth on January 03, 2018, 09:28:02 PM
(https://i.redd.it/4mbrhak5ly701.jpg)
Bwahahaha!!  Brilliant! 

Title: Re: Oregon Is Freaking Out About...
Post by: JasonPratt on January 04, 2018, 04:14:43 PM


"You have died of dysentery from pumping your own gas."

"You have died of carbon monoxide poisoning from pumping your own gas."

"You have died of spontaneous combustion from pumping your own gas."

"You have died of boredom from pumping your own gas."
Title: Re: Oregon Is Freaking Out About...
Post by: bayonetbrant on January 04, 2018, 04:25:54 PM
what's funny is watching the social media reactions trickling in...

QuotePatrick Balogh Helpless Libs

QuoteRobert Winstead OMG! Really? Typical for liberals.

QuoteRobert Winstead Brandon Velez Oregon is a Democratic liberal state so it is no wonder they are freaking out about doing something for themselves.

yeah....

http://wncn.com/2018/01/04/oregonians-come-to-terms-with-pumping-their-own-gas/

QuoteThe law applies to most of eastern Oregon and many western counties including Clatsop, Tillamook and Curry. Folks in Hood River didn't seem too intimidated by the change.

"I think it'll be a bit of a struggle for a while," Hood River gas station attendant Dakota Browning told KOIN 6 News. "I think Oregonians are just going to have to get used to it eventually."

At her station, an attendant will still be around to help those who may not know the way.

"I just [have] to learn how to because I've never done it before," Shaylynn Hase of Hood River said. "I'm going to ask the worker to help me."

Self-service will also be allowed between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Hmmmm.... take a look at the map of Oregon.  See all those very RED counties in the east?  Yeah, there the ones that all went 70-30 or more for Trump...
(https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/26165545_10111291328948195_889937660866533427_n.jpg?oh=dc6af4fd5d1b49b33b3fe9ef99090784&oe=5AB463C2)

what a bunch of mooks...

I hate stupid people
Title: Re: Oregon Is Freaking Out About...
Post by: Emeraldlis on January 04, 2018, 05:36:28 PM
There is a petrol station in town near me that has an attendant for filling up the car . When I use that petrol station , I always feel awkward that the guy is filling up my car for me . First of all I'm very capable of doing that job .Also I never know what to do , stay in the car until he's finished and appear rude , or , get out of the car and try to talk to the guy ...who I don't know , so I never quite know what to say ! Or ...go and stand near the office and wait to pay him , but that always makes me feel like I'm maybe insulting the guy .....it's a dilemma ! (I usually get out of the car, and talk to the guy ,for the sake of being polite and thankful that someone is doing a job for me )

I would just much sooner fill my own petrol tank , and have none of those 'petrol attendant forecourt anxieties '  ;D The only plus thing I can see , is that the guy has a job , and I'd feel bad if he lost it . So , I guess I'll just carry on using that petrol station when I need to . And go through my ritual anxiety/panic as I pull up onto the forecourt !

It looks as if Oragon has none of those anxieties !
Title: Re: Oregon Is Freaking Out About...
Post by: trailrunner on January 04, 2018, 06:05:13 PM
Quote from: bayonetbrant on January 04, 2018, 04:25:54 PM

Snip



Almost any online debate - no matter what the issue - seems to instantly blame Obama, Trump, Hillary, libtards, MAGA, or some other political group with no basis whatsoever.

What's sad is that people believe it, or they buy into it.
Title: Re: Oregon Is Freaking Out About...
Post by: Sir Slash on January 04, 2018, 07:45:15 PM
I went 70/30 for Trump thank you.
Title: Re: Oregon Is Freaking Out About...
Post by: MetalDog on January 04, 2018, 08:43:23 PM
Quote from: Emeraldlis on January 04, 2018, 05:36:28 PM
Also I never know what to do , stay in the car until he's finished and appear rude , or , get out of the car and try to talk to the guy ...


Growing up, there were attendants pumping gas.  Whoever was driving would roll down the window, tell the attendant how much of which grade of gasoline and then pay the person when they were done.  A lot of times, the attendant would check your oil.  At the very least, they would wash your windows for you.
Title: Re: Oregon Is Freaking Out About...
Post by: airboy on January 04, 2018, 09:10:19 PM
Brant - the entire State Government is controlled by the Dems.  The less populous counties (the ones who voted for Trump) wanted to pump their own gas.  Those in the stupid leftist enclaves (the big cities) want to have other people pump their gas by law.

So if the law works according to any normal microeconomics would suggest, the blue part of Oregon will pay a ton for gas because they are stupid people.  The conservatives will pay less for gas, if they are willing to pump it for themselves.

Oregon is having a slight degree of Federalism at the county level.
Title: Re: Oregon Is Freaking Out About...
Post by: bayonetbrant on January 04, 2018, 09:40:22 PM
that has -zero- to do with my point.

my point was that everyone was assuming it was a bunch of lazy snowflake liberals who had no idea how to pump their own gas

except that in all the counties overrun with those lazy snowflake liberals, the law is still in place

the counties where people are going to have to start pumping their own (despite not knowing how) are overwhelmingly red counties, which completely demolished the asshat commentary about lazy snowflake liberals not knowing how to pump their own gas
Title: Re: Oregon Is Freaking Out About...
Post by: MetalDog on January 04, 2018, 09:49:13 PM
So all of the people in the red counties don't know how and are complaining?  I'm a bit obtuse.  Could you point out to me where each complainer signed off from the place they lived?  Cuz that would make your assertion bulletproof. 
Title: Re: Oregon Is Freaking Out About...
Post by: mirth on January 04, 2018, 10:01:13 PM
this may be the stupidest argument in the history of this forum.
Title: Re: Oregon Is Freaking Out About...
Post by: bayonetbrant on January 04, 2018, 10:09:01 PM
Quote from: MetalDog on January 04, 2018, 09:49:13 PM
So all of the people in the red counties don't know how and are complaining?  I'm a bit obtuse.  Could you point out to me where each complainer signed off from the place they lived?  Cuz that would make your assertion bulletproof. 

no, the people making jokes about Oregon seem to be a bunch of right-wing Trumpeters who making fun of lefty snowflakes.

the reality is that the places in Oregon where they're allowing self-serve are the red counties full of Trumpsters
Title: Re: Oregon Is Freaking Out About...
Post by: mirth on January 04, 2018, 10:22:27 PM
Quote from: bayonetbrant on January 04, 2018, 10:09:01 PM
no, the people making jokes about Oregon seem to be a bunch of right-wing Trumpeters who making fun of lefty snowflakes.

the reality is that the places in Oregon where they're allowing self-serve are the red counties full of Trumpsters

Yep. It's the stupidest.
Title: Re: Oregon Is Freaking Out About...
Post by: MetalDog on January 04, 2018, 10:25:03 PM
No it's not.
Title: Re: Oregon Is Freaking Out About...
Post by: mirth on January 04, 2018, 10:27:25 PM
Yes. Yes it is.
Title: Re: Oregon Is Freaking Out About...
Post by: MetalDog on January 04, 2018, 10:28:08 PM
No.  No, it's not.
Title: Re: Oregon Is Freaking Out About...
Post by: MetalDog on January 04, 2018, 10:28:53 PM
That was my 15,000 post.
Title: Re: Oregon Is Freaking Out About...
Post by: mirth on January 04, 2018, 10:29:48 PM
You've come a long way, baby.
Title: Re: Oregon Is Freaking Out About...
Post by: MetalDog on January 04, 2018, 10:30:24 PM
And boy am I dehydrated.
Title: Re: Oregon Is Freaking Out About...
Post by: DoctorQuest on January 04, 2018, 10:38:09 PM
Title: Re: Oregon Is Freaking Out About...
Post by: Sir Slash on January 04, 2018, 11:49:05 PM
No, it hits the top of the Stupid Meter alright. Second only to the argument we had of whether there WAS a Stupid Meter and why we thought we needed one. Well I guess we solved that one. I think the people in Oregon should go back to growing potatoes like they're supposed to so we can keep putting them up people's tailpipes while they're trying to pump their own gas. Win/win.
Title: Re: Oregon Is Freaking Out About...
Post by: Emeraldlis on January 05, 2018, 07:28:04 AM
Quote from: MetalDog on January 04, 2018, 08:43:23 PM
Quote from: Emeraldlis on January 04, 2018, 05:36:28 PM
Also I never know what to do , stay in the car until he's finished and appear rude , or , get out of the car and try to talk to the guy ...


Growing up, there were attendants pumping gas.  Whoever was driving would roll down the window, tell the attendant how much of which grade of gasoline and then pay the person when they were done.  A lot of times, the attendant would check your oil.  At the very least, they would wash your windows for you.

That's incredible service! But then purely as a cultural observation, America has always had a very good record when it comes to the service industry. I think you guys have a good reputation for knowing how to look after the customer. At least that's what I've heard from family and friends who've either been to America, or live there.

I think if I'd have grown up with that as the norm. Petrol station attendants. I'd feel a lot more comfortable about the whole thing. But also I think, it's just me. Apart from everything else I've already said, I hate waiting around... I get slightly impatient! It makes me feel useless and a bit like a spare prop! Especially if I know I could be doing it myself. And it's hardly rocket science knowing how to fill your own car up! It's quite easy to learn :) I think it's sort of a rite of passage..... Plus, I like to play the game of 'can I make the pump stop dead on 00', lol. It's the small things in life that get me through a day!   ;D
Title: Re: Oregon Is Freaking Out About...
Post by: mirth on January 05, 2018, 09:31:35 AM
Oregonians are still adjusting


(https://i.redd.it/dsgxy6u285801.jpg)
Title: Re: Oregon Is Freaking Out About...
Post by: DoctorQuest on January 05, 2018, 10:17:36 AM
"Stupid" may have been a very appropriate label here.
Title: Re: Oregon Is Freaking Out About...
Post by: BanzaiCat on January 05, 2018, 10:56:30 AM
Wait for the pics of cars going down the highway with fuel nozzles still in the socket.  :2funny:
Title: Re: Oregon Is Freaking Out About...
Post by: Sir Slash on January 05, 2018, 11:00:26 AM
When I was a kid, and mini-skirts were in fashion, we used to go to the Gas Stations and volunteer to run-out and pump the girls gas for them. And clean their windshields. While they sat in their front seats. In their mini-skirts.  :D   Trouble was we fogged-up the windshields as quick as we cleaned them. We were all about service back then.
Title: Re: Oregon Is Freaking Out About...
Post by: airboy on January 05, 2018, 11:43:50 AM
Quote from: Sir Slash on January 05, 2018, 11:00:26 AM
When I was a kid, and mini-skirts were in fashion, we used to go to the Gas Stations and volunteer to run-out and pump the girls gas for them. And clean their windshields. While they sat in their front seats. In their mini-skirts.  :D   Trouble was we fogged-up the windshields as quick as we cleaned them. We were all about service back then.

Girls were wearing miniskirts in the 1920s when you were a kid?
Title: Re: Oregon Is Freaking Out About...
Post by: BanzaiCat on January 05, 2018, 12:01:23 PM
Quote from: airboy on January 05, 2018, 11:43:50 AM
Quote from: Sir Slash on January 05, 2018, 11:00:26 AM
When I was a kid, and mini-skirts were in fashion, we used to go to the Gas Stations and volunteer to run-out and pump the girls gas for them. And clean their windshields. While they sat in their front seats. In their mini-skirts.  :D   Trouble was we fogged-up the windshields as quick as we cleaned them. We were all about service back then.

Girls were wearing miniskirts in the 1920s when you were a kid?

1920s?!?  ;D
Title: Re: Oregon Is Freaking Out About...
Post by: Emeraldlis on January 05, 2018, 12:13:36 PM
Quote from: Sir Slash on January 05, 2018, 11:00:26 AM
Trouble was we fogged-up the windshields as quick as we cleaned them. We were all about service back then.

And it was that kind of service ,that got you in the front seat of their car ,fogging up their windshields , eh sir slash  ^-^ that's why they called it the roaring 20s then  ;)

Title: Re: Oregon Is Freaking Out About...
Post by: Sir Slash on January 05, 2018, 02:44:24 PM
This was the Roaring 60's. Thought the 20's were fun too. That Capone could limbo like a Mother.  ::)
Title: Re: Oregon Is Freaking Out About...
Post by: Steelgrave on January 05, 2018, 05:37:23 PM
Ha! Family legend says I may well have some Pretty Boy Floyd blood in me. Grandma M hung out with him and well....he was considered quite the ladies man.
Title: Re: Oregon Is Freaking Out About...
Post by: Emeraldlis on January 05, 2018, 06:19:55 PM
That's a cool family legend to have  8) I've just got that movie the untouchables running through my head now . Wasn't that the same era as Capone and Floyd ? Elliot Ness was the guy who brought Capone in , for tax evasion in the end I think ! Interesting times though , bootlegging booze , gin joints , and dodgy looking violin cases !!!