[Pfish]

It dawned on me why the general populace doesn’t buy into PO. Gas has gotten easier to purchae and consume, not more difficult.

Back in the 60’s we used to have “Service Stations” where a team of men in white coats and ties would come out and check your tires, fill your tank in a professional manner.

Along come the 70’s where we take away the ties and hire teenagers to fill tanks and clean your windows (that would be me.)

The next 20-some-odd years see the dismissal of the work force and self serve pumps.

Next comes the advent of “pay at the pump.” Making it easier to get gas and be on your way with a diet Pepsi and a can of dip.

Is it any wonder our friends think we are full of shit?

[RG73]

Doesn't it actually suggest that we're poorer since we can no longer afford the luxury of having a team of people service and check our car every time we pull into a station? Doesn't it suggest that we're poorer since we don't have the time to wait at a station while people check our air pressure, check the oil, etc?

[savethehumans]

Sure it suggests that, RG73--but the sheeple don't see it that way!

[profgoose]

this is actually a really good point...but I do wonder, the two or three times in the past 10 years I have stumbled onto a full-service gas station, I always felt compelled to pump it myself.

So, was it really a luxury that we're missing out on, or the freedom to pump our own gas?

[savethehumans]

Back when I had a car, I LIKED pumping my own gas. Then I could be the one to determine when to stop and start!

But the point made is good. Fewer employees mean not using so much of your profit on paychecks!

[I_Like_Plants]

Pfish you have a Ppoint. It was a "big deal" to buy gas way-back-when, and now it's become such a small deal that people don't think much more about it than unrolling a paper towel off of the rack at home, or getting some chips out of the vending machine at work.

[linlithgowoil]

its just people getting used to something thats always been there. tv has always been there for most people, so they expect it to always be there in future.

if petrol had only been available for the last 2 years, people might not be surprised to see it disappear tomorrow. but its been around for more than a century, so generations have grown up with it and an expectation of ever present petrol has been built up.

its like anything really, once its there and you get used to it, you take it for granted.

[Doly]

What's even worse, people think they are entitled to the things they are used to.

[killJOY]

Our little town of 10,000 here in the Northeast US is getting a new gas station!

Our historic corner was decimated in the 50s to make way for Texaco and Mobil.

Now a house down the road is being removed, and right next to a bit of hayfield a HUGE gas station/ convenience store is going in.

It was going to have 12 pumping stations, one of the largest in the state. But the people protested and now they've compromised....they've whittled it down to 8 stations.


I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

[Starvid]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('RG73', 'D')oesn't it actually suggest that we're poorer since we can no longer afford the luxury of having a team of people service and check our car every time we pull into a station? Doesn't it suggest that we're poorer since we don't have the time to wait at a station while people check our air pressure, check the oil, etc?

[dinopello]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Starvid', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('RG73', 'D')oesn't it actually suggest that we're poorer since we can no longer afford the luxury of having a team of people service and check our car every time we pull into a station? Doesn't it suggest that we're poorer since we don't have the time to wait at a station while people check our air pressure, check the oil, etc?

[BabyPeanut]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Starvid', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('RG73', 'D')oesn't it actually suggest that we're poorer since we can no longer afford the luxury of having a team of people service and check our car every time we pull into a station? Doesn't it suggest that we're poorer since we don't have the time to wait at a station while people check our air pressure, check the oil, etc?

[Daculling]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('RG73', 'D')oesn't it actually suggest that we're poorer since we can no longer afford the luxury of having a team of people service and check our car every time we pull into a station? Doesn't it suggest that we're poorer since we don't have the time to wait at a station while people check our air pressure, check the oil, etc?