No Self Serve Allowed

So it's a law or whatever that you can't pump your own gas in Oregon.  I only half knew this...or half paid attention to the warnings.

I was in desperate need of some petrol so I went ahead and stopped before going home.  I was waiting in my car for the attendant when I felt like I was going to hurl.  (I've been sick.) I jumped out, but nothing came...still no sign of the attendant....so I took it upon myself to pump it.  The guy finally came over.  I asked him to fill it up.  He said something, but I couldn't hear him because I was focusing on the not being sick part.  He probably said something along the lines of I'm not allowed....but I was seriously going to hurl.

Then I got back in my car...still feeling sick.  I rolled down the window, but still felt the urge to hurl.  I was hot and miserable and was being very impatient.  I heard the click of the pump and just wanted to get out of there.  No sign of the attendant for me to ask politely, "Hey, I'm going to hurl and would like to get out of here, could I just take care of this?"  So I just go for it.

He comes over in a huff asking what I am doing.  I said I was trying to leave because I didn't have time to wait.  Now I could have been rude and mentioned something about his slow speed being a symptom of his obesity, but I took the high road.  He yelled at me and said this is Oregon and it was against the law.  He didn't explain.  I was too sick to throw a retort or to even go into the main building to complain about how I was being treated.  So I just snatched my receipt and left.  All without spewing my lack of stomach contents.  (Had I eaten today, I am sure I could have given him a show.)

I still have Ohio plates.  He could have been much kinder as it would be assumed that I am not accustomed to the rules here. I have only gotten gas once while in Oregon.  (Sweet gas mileage on my car.)  The lady at the first pump I visited said that the Oregon stations were full service, but she didn't say anything about it being illegal to pump gas myself.  My friend Lindsay also said something to me, but I don't think she used the terminology "illegal."  If she did, it was in one ear out the other.

Maybe there was a sign at the pump that stated the law, but in my haste, I was not looking for it.  What non-Oregonian would?  I'm not saying I wasn't to blame.  I'm sure this could have been avoided, but I didn't appreciate the way the attendant acted.

I don't like the law.  I suppose it's part of the midwestern attitude to want to do things yourself and not have to wait around for anyone.  I just wanted to get home and did not want to wait forever for the attendant.  I know a good deal of time would have been wasted if I would have waited on him.

I'm not upset about "breaking the law."  I'm upset with how rude the guy was.  Also, I don't like the "law," but am sure it's here for a reason.  I'm probably going to continue to get into trouble as I will get out every time to open my gas tank door.  It's broken and takes certain finesse to open it.  A job I don't want to burden anyone else with.

Being mad has taken my mind off of being sick though.  I guess that's good.  Don't feel like spewing right now either!

I may need bail money for getting arrested for pumping my own gas.  You should all start a fund now!