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Something Else to Worry About

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Interesting article, but I haven't heard of that happening around here (yet). There have been plenty of drive-offs at the gas stations though, so all of them are pay first. I don't worry about it if the card reader works, just slide the card through. The other day the poor girl working the counter seemed perplexed when I asked for 2 gallons to fill the 2-gallon can, since I was going to pay cash. Seems to me the last hundred times I filled the gas can they program the pump to dispense exactly that, so I don't know why she had to grab a calculator to figure out the dollar amount to program the pump for. Then again, 2 * $2.99 = $5.98 doesn't require a calculator, either.
 
Different worlds, I guess. I'm not aware of any "pay first" stations around here. Our population is relatively low (for example, my town is about 3500 people) so the stations away from the highways and tourist areas get a high percentage of repeat business and recognize their customers. If there's a "drive off", they figure old Enoch forgot to pay and they nail him next time he stops by.

Today (Tuesday) is "rubbish day" for about half the town. A private outfit (a guy with a truck and a cell phone) picks up the rubbish today. Every rubbish bag or barrel has an envelope with $2 per bag in it that sits by the road for an hour or two. If there's ever been a problem with people stealing the $ then I'm unaware of it.

We buy bread from a place in the oldest house in town. The ovens are about 150 years old, wood fired. You go in, get your bread off the shelf, make your change out of a can, and put any large bills in a mailbox with a slot on top.

This time of year, the farm stands are mostly self-service. Weigh your stuff, make your change, etc.

But - it's all changing. The southern part of the state has had major growth over the past 10 or 15 years and this sort of trust-your-neighbor culture is fading. I imagine it's just a matter of time before we have "pay first" gas stations.

I lived out west for a few years and had to pay first in most cases, and people even told me to lock the car door when I went in to pay. Talk about culture shock.!

Of course, living here means fewer jobs, lower salaries, giving up lots of conveniences etc etc but what the heck, at least we get to pump first.
 
Heck, I went to get a haircut today..had my wallet in hand when I went in..laid it with about $500 in cash, my cell phone, & car keys (nope, car wasn't locked either) on the counter while I had my hair washed & cut...when I finished, everything was still there & I told the barber Jerri would pay when she stopped by later to have her hair done by the beautician....

Then drove up to the Chevron station to top car off before leaving for funeral tomorrow - sign says "pay first"...when I pulled up, the manager waved & turned on my pump (as somebody else came out after 'paying first')

Part of it is the community & the trust people have in one another....some of you guys have been to my place - just a hamlet bout 10 miles outside Huntsville but we recognize and watch all the 'outsiders' until we know they're okay!
 
Ayah. I grew up where the car was left unlocked, with key in the ignition. Doors were never locked and the neighbors fed all the kids at random when the opportunity came up. "Mangia!" was the phrase.

It's ~very~ different where I live now... I have the benefit of military training and the "ear" of the local law enforcement agencies but ~RESPONSIBLE PARENTING~ would be a good thing to expect as well. Not likely that'll happen.

..I just keep weapons to hand and the locks locked. What a shame.
 
Off-topic.... But Doc... I love the new "Stolen Sig" !!!

And yes there's no place like home. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif
 
"...but we recognize and watch all the 'outsiders' until we know they're okay!"

In some Scottish villages, outsiders can achieve such warm acceptance after a few decades.... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jester.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
In some Scottish villages, outsiders can achieve such warm acceptance after a few decades.... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jester.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Like Helensburgh???
It's been a while since I was there, so forgive the spelling, but as an 'ousider', I can second that!
 
Certainly is. In some parts you'd have to be second or third generation before you'd be considered "safe."

...humans... sheesh.
 
Earlier this year we upgraded a bit and bought a newer ancier motorhome....and of course had a larger gas tank, over 100 gallons. It was of course near empty when bought so with tow car hooked up we stop at a local place to fill up and over the speaker came"please pre-pay" I guess I loked like I was a flight risk...huge motorhome pulling a white bug vert, real stealthy. I walked in and dropped three 100 dollar bills on the counter, should have seen the look on a few of the customer's faces. I think I got ten bucks back in change. I can see the point in pre-paying, if I owned a gas station like I have in the past, I'd be in jail for chasing down runners.
 
No locks here, gated community. Our big prob is teen age kids that live here. They mostly just after something to do.
 
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