I have now lived in Oregon for almost a month. And so far the weirdest thing Oregonians practice would be NOT pumping their own gas. This is beyond strange to me. I am still having trouble wrapping my head around it. Yes, I am very aware that back in the day, this was a nationwide thing. Flashback circa 1907 or so, the first gas station was built. Up until 1947 all gas stations in the United States were Full Service [meaning someone came to pump your own gas while you waited and twiddled your thumbs in your car). Today, full service (at least in California) is where you have parked your car by mistake when pulling up at a gas station, realize by the time you get out of your car to pick up the nozzle, you see a guy excitedly running ready to pump your gas. You panic. You get back in your car in a crazy haste wave no with your hand to the poor man, screaming "I'm sorry, I made a mistake!", and move your car embarrassingly to the other side of the station. Back to the historical lesson; after the first self-service gas station opened in the US, the rest of the country caught on, and being able to pump your own gas quickly became second nature. Except for 2 states. That's right! Out of the 50 states, Oregon and New Jersey passed laws claiming that professionals had to pump gas for you so that you don't catch on fire or something. Yeah, I get it, gas is flammable, bad things can happen. We all heard the tragic story of Derek's friends who were dancing to "Wake me up before you gogo" at the gas station while smoking and splashing themselves with gasoline. Yup, those poor son of bitches all died in a tragic gas explosion. Rest in P......wait a minute....
Now I kind of hope Ben Stiller directed that ridiculous scene in order to mock the states of of New Jersey and Oregon. My point is, how many idiots are there really in this world frolicking around gas stations nozzle in hand?
About 2 weeks ago, my lovely Prius was finally almost on empty. I pulled at the station, already uncomfortable knowing what was about to happen. At least 4 guys were on duty at the station. One came towards the car. To make things less awkward (for me), I opened the car door and stepped half-way outside and blurted right away: "Hi! I'm from California, I know I can't pump my own gas, so what do I do?". He proceeded to ask me if I was paying with cash? Credit card? Safeway (ie: Vons) rewards? No, yes and yes. He takes the card (me no-likey), inserts it in (because I am SO incapable of doing that by myself), asks me my zip code, punches it in. "Unleaded right? Where in California are you from" - Yay small talk is also included! ehhh, I'm being brat, he was nice. 34 dollars later, receipt in hand, I was on my way. Got in the car and felt like I was 16 again during the first week I got my licence.
Now, I truly wish that when back in California, while at the pump, an Oregonian car drives in and just waits for someone to come up and pump for them. Lazy NorthWesterners!
jk.
