A study in human behavior: Ambivilence at the gas pump. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

anghrist · #1 03-06-2012, 01:33 PM

I needed fuel, as most of us do after several days of driving. More precisely, my E300 turbodiesel needed fuel for the next few days of commuting to and from work. I had just taken care of the weekly grocery run and made my way to the fueling station closest to my home.

There are four dual-sided fuel pumps there. Only one of these pumps dispenses diesel fuel. Both sides of this pump are occupied. On the right is a construction contractor in his pickup turck, on the other is an imported SUV. At this time, the other three gas(petrol)-only pumps are quite vacant. Due to where my fuel tank is accessed, I pull in behind the SUV and decide to patiently wait.

My first mistake was to wait... patiently. I thought that I would be patient. However, as I began to become more observant of that which was happening, my patience started to drain away. My second mistake, was not being observant enough to realize that the fuel hose was in no way associated with the SUV parked by the fuel pump. Further inspection revealed that the driver was sitting behind the wheel engaged in a telephone conversation.

My curiosity lead me to simply watch and await a conclusion to the much anticipated fueling of the SUV. Several minutes pass, as I relax to the soft "clatta-clatta" idle of the OM606 while watching what must have been a rather involved discussion. This lasted for a few minutes, sadly I didn't not keep track, but I'm certain it was more than two minutes and less than five.

After the conclusion of the telephone conversation, our intrepid SUV owner spends another 30 seconds or so collecting himself in preparation of the task that is fueling his urban workhorse. But wait! The option to prepay is invoked. Our driver must saunter a distance to and into the convienience store and wait in line to prepay for his fuel. Ah, the trials of fueling in these days of $4.60/gal fuel.

Around 3 minutes later, our proud SUV owner has returned to fuel his vehicle. Lift nozzle, select grade... Oh, we forgot to open the fuel door and remove the cap. Replace nozzle, open door, remove cap, lift nozzle, select grade... and.... wait.... squeeze nozzle trigger. Whew.

That was really difficult work. Time for our driver to take a rest at the wheel of his SUV.... Is the pump still running?
?
?
*Click*
?
?
?
I believe that the pump has stopped. Another 1/2 minute or so passes before the driver trudges over to the pump and observes that all fueling has ceased and that now the arduous replacement of the fuel cap commences.

Now the driver decides to decline the car wash? Really, I think at this point he could while away another 10 minutes of his life here at this fine establishment. The receipt of payment is also declined, (his choice, of course) and the long trek back to the command post of his chariot begins.

Just another half minute of retrospection prior to activating the ingition and rousing his beast of burden from its slumber. Then the familiar flash of reversing lights as the transmission selection is routed from 'park' to 'drive'. The noble SUV lumbers away from the fuel pump to a complete lack of fanfare or accolade from available observers.
>10 minutes elapsed.

Okay, my turn. Let's make it snappy:
-shift to drive
-pull forward
-shift to park
-shut off engine
-open door
-feet on pavement
-close door
-open fuel door/remove cap
-slide payment card
-remove diesel nozzle
-select fuel buttom
-begin pumping
-wait at pump
*click*
-replace nozzle
-replace fuel cap/close fuel door
-retrieve receipt
-open door
-deirere on seat, feet on floorboard
-door shut/key in ignition
-glow... wait for it
-crank
-shift
-depart
<3 minutes elapsed.

Many people are rather inefficient in their actions. However, I think that this was a bit over the top.

Even more over the top is the fact that I spent this much time typing about the ordeal.

I classify this as annoying, but not egregiously vexing. I am not one to wish any establishment of fueling etiquette, but I really have a difficult time understanding the way some people function.

That said, I'm off to de better things with my life at this moment rather than waste more time posting about it.

Jim B. · #2 03-06-2012, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anghrist

I needed fuel, as most of us do after several days of driving. More precisely, my E300 turbodiesel needed fuel for the next few days of commuting to and from work. I had just taken care of the weekly grocery run and made my way to the fueling station closest to my home.

There are four dual-sided fuel pumps there. Only one of these pumps dispenses diesel fuel. Both sides of this pump are occupied. On the right is a construction contractor in his pickup turck, on the other is an imported SUV. At this time, the other three gas(petrol)-only pumps are quite vacant. Due to where my fuel tank is accessed, I pull in behind the SUV and decide to patiently wait.

My first mistake was to wait... patiently. I thought that I would be patient. However, as I began to become more observant of that which was happening, my patience started to drain away. My second mistake, was not being observant enough to realize that the fuel hose was in no way associated with the SUV parked by the fuel pump. Further inspection revealed that the driver was sitting behind the wheel engaged in a telephone conversation.

My curiosity lead me to simply watch and await a conclusion to the much anticipated fueling of the SUV. Several minutes pass, as I relax to the soft "clatta-clatta" idle of the OM606 while watching what must have been a rather involved discussion. This lasted for a few minutes, sadly I didn't not keep track, but I'm certain it was more than two minutes and less than five.

After the conclusion of the telephone conversation, our intrepid SUV owner spends another 30 seconds or so collecting himself in preparation of the task that is fueling his urban workhorse. But wait! The option to prepay is invoked. Our driver must saunter a distance to and into the convienience store and wait in line to prepay for his fuel. Ah, the trials of fueling in these days of $4.60/gal fuel.

Around 3 minutes later, our proud SUV owner has returned to fuel his vehicle. Lift nozzle, select grade... Oh, we forgot to open the fuel door and remove the cap. Replace nozzle, open door, remove cap, lift nozzle, select grade... and.... wait.... squeeze nozzle trigger. Whew.

That was really difficult work. Time for our driver to take a rest at the wheel of his SUV.... Is the pump still running?
?
?
*Click*
?
?
?
I believe that the pump has stopped. Another 1/2 minute or so passes before the driver trudges over to the pump and observes that all fueling has ceased and that now the arduous replacement of the fuel cap commences.

Now the driver decides to decline the car wash? Really, I think at this point he could while away another 10 minutes of his life here at this fine establishment. The receipt of payment is also declined, (his choice, of course) and the long trek back to the command post of his chariot begins.

Just another half minute of retrospection prior to activating the ingition and rousing his beast of burden from its slumber. Then the familiar flash of reversing lights as the transmission selection is routed from 'park' to 'drive'. The noble SUV lumbers away from the fuel pump to a complete lack of fanfare or accolade from available observers.
>10 minutes elapsed.

Okay, my turn. Let's make it snappy:
-shift to drive
-pull forward
-shift to park
-shut off engine
-open door
-feet on pavement
-close door
-open fuel door/remove cap
-slide payment card
-remove diesel nozzle
-select fuel buttom
-begin pumping
-wait at pump
*click*
-replace nozzle
-replace fuel cap/close fuel door
-retrieve receipt
-open door
-deirere on seat, feet on floorboard
-door shut/key in ignition
-glow... wait for it
-crank
-shift
-depart
<3 minutes elapsed.

Many people are rather inefficient in their actions. However, I think that this was a bit over the top.

Even more over the top is the fact that I spent this much time typing about the ordeal.

I classify this as annoying, but not egregiously vexing. I am not one to wish any establishment of fueling etiquette, but I really have a difficult time understanding the way some people function.

That said, I'm off to de better things with my life at this moment rather than waste more time posting about it.

Your sig line shows that it could be LOTS worse:

2001 VW GTI 1.8T 5-speed (Buster - R.I.P. 21JUL06) - MODS: 60mph + 1989 Toyota Pickup ignoring stop sign.

But I agree, people are uttlerly self-absorbed and clueless.

You witnesses a more extreme case and you bviouslyhave the patience of Job.

Blabbing for 5 minutes on a freaking cell phone while just sitting at the lone diesel pump and NOT bothering to start the fueling process is damned inconsiderate, selfishand the height of self absorbtion...

You should have grabbed the damned cell phone out of his hands and thrown it away.

But FIRST, if you could have gotten away with it, thought about phoning in some threats on 911 against the President's life on the phone before you tossed it in the river, as was suggested elsewhere on line in another case..

THAT would at least would have brought a wake up call into the moron's life.

Skippy · #3 03-06-2012, 03:39 PM

I have a pet peeve with people who take too long at ATM's. My routine: insert card, punch in PIN, and hit the nice button they've provided me on the touch screen to select my transaction of choice. Wait a few seconds for the machine to spit my card back out, commence putting it in my wallet, pull the cash out of the machine, and done. Elapsed time approximately 20 seconds. I've waited for people who took several minutes. I have no idea what took them so long.

MTI · #4 03-06-2012, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skippy

I have a pet peeve with people who take too long at ATM's. My routine: insert card, punch in PIN, and hit the nice button they've provided me on the touch screen to select my transaction of choice. Wait a few seconds for the machine to spit my card back out, commence putting it in my wallet, pull the cash out of the machine, and done. Elapsed time approximately 20 seconds. I've waited for people who took several minutes. I have no idea what took them so long.

Back in the days of actually doing banking with a teller . . . I swear that the person in line in front of me was always either applying for a mortage, trying to exchange a bazillion yen for dolllars, or wiring money to Herman Cain's account in Ubekibekibekibekistanstan.

HuskyMan · #5 03-06-2012, 04:54 PM

how about a blip of the horn? time to come out of your coma. News break: you share the planet with others.

E150GT · #6 03-06-2012, 05:05 PM

I know all about these kinds of things. Why do people take so freaking long to do the things that take me mere minutes?

Jim B. · #7 03-06-2012, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skippy

I have a pet peeve with people who take too long at ATM's. My routine: insert card, punch in PIN, and hit the nice button they've provided me on the touch screen to select my transaction of choice. Wait a few seconds for the machine to spit my card back out, commence putting it in my wallet, pull the cash out of the machine, and done. Elapsed time approximately 20 seconds. I've waited for people who took several minutes. I have no idea what took them so long.

(You may have seen this one before...)

~~~~~~

Men Vs. Women: ATM's

The differences between how a woman and a man uses a drive-through banking machine. Here is his and hers Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) usage explained...

HIS

1. Pull up to ATM

2. Insert card

3. Enter PIN number and account

4. Take cash, card and receipt

HERS

1. Pull up to ATM

2. Check makeup in rearview mirror

3. Shut off engine

4. Put keys in purse

5. Get out of car because you're too far from machine

6. Hunt for card in purse

7. Insert card

8. Hunt in purse for wrapper with PIN number written on it

9. Enter PIN number

10. Study instructions for at least 2 minutes.

11. Hit "cancel"

12. Re-enter correct PIN number

13. Check balance

14. Look for envelope

15. Look in purse for pen

16. Make out deposit slip

17. Endorse checks

18. Make deposit

19. Study instructions

20. Make cash withdrawal

21. Get in car

22. Check makeup

23. Look for keys

24. Start car

25. Check makeup

26. Start pulling away

27. STOP

28. Back up to machine

29. Get out of car

30. Take card and receipt

31. Get back in car

32. Put card in wallet

33. Put receipt in checkbook

34. Enter deposits and withdrawals in checkbook

35. Clear area in purse for wallet and checkbook

36. Check makeup

37. Put car in gear, reverse

38. Put car in drive

39. Drive away from machine

40. Travel 3 miles

41. Release parking brake

MS Fowler · #8 03-06-2012, 05:53 PM

Twin 50 cals on the hood would be useful at times like this.

cmbdiesel · #9 03-06-2012, 06:48 PM

He was probably on the phone explaining to his wife that, YES she should park the Porsche taking up two spots, EVEN if one of them is a handicapped space...

layback40 · #10 03-06-2012, 07:03 PM

Be proactive !! Get yourself one of these !!

20dBm-Output Portable GSM/CDMA/3G/DCS/CDMA1900 Cell Phone Signal Jammer/Blocker - Free Shipping - DealExtreme

LandYaghtLover · #11 03-06-2012, 07:34 PM

I like my loud horn. I use it. A lot.

Air&Road · #12 03-06-2012, 08:30 PM

I feel your pain. I have patience for those who deserve it, like someone handicapped or very elderly. For everyone else it AMAZES me how slow people can be sometimes.

Even walking. It is about a half mile from where I park to my office. About a quarter mile of that is a walk from the gate to the front of the plant. I am almost 63 years old and I have yet to find anyone on that sidewalk who walks as fast as me and there are 1400 people that work there.

I just don't understand slow. I REALLY don't understand it when someone KNOWS that there is someon waiting for them.

I feel your pain.

Hatterasguy · #13 03-06-2012, 08:39 PM

Back when I had a diesel I ran into this a lot.

My solution was to pull up 1/2 an inch from their bumper and usually got pissed off looks because most people are dumb as sin and don't understand the whole concept of diesel only coming out of the green nozzles.

The Clk Man · #14 03-06-2012, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LarryBible

I feel your pain. I have patience for those who deserve it, like someone handicapped or very elderly. For everyone else it AMAZES me how slow people can be sometimes.

Even walking. It is about a half mile from where I park to my office. About a quarter mile of that is a walk from the gate to the front of the plant. I am almost 63 years old and I have yet to find anyone on that sidewalk who walks as fast as me and there are 1400 people that work there.

I just don't understand slow. I REALLY don't understand it when someone KNOWS that there is someon waiting for them.

I feel your pain.

I just stubbed my toe, do you feel my pain?