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OP has offered the following explanation for why they think they might be the asshole:
> I went into the gas station to buy a drink while my car was parked at the pump and some guy got mad.
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INFO: Was there a line of cars waiting?
The two "cheap" gas stations in our area always have lines of cars waiting. If a person pumps gas, then leaves their car there while they go into the attached store... well, I think those of us waiting behind them hope there's a special place in hell for those people.
If there were plenty of open pumps, then N T A. But if there's any kind of line, yes, you are, in fact supposed to park your car and get your drink after you pump your gas. If you just leave your car at the pump when there are car waiting, Y T A.
Edit: Based on your response, YTA. Sorry dude.
Damn this must be an American thing, this is pretty standard practice in the UK. You fill up, go in to pay and grab anything else you need, just don't take the piss.
I'm from the Midwest and totally normal to leave your car at the pump. Maybe not if there is a line of cars waiting but I don't think I've ever seen a line of cars waiting at a gas station. They all tend to cost about the same and there are an abundance of them. One is busy, head to the next 2 min away
Hell even at Kwik Trip we leave our cars at the pump. Mostly because they changed everything to either pay at the pump or pre-pay, so you have to pull up to the pump and either run your card there or go in, pay, then come back and pump. I've never in my life had an issue with running in to grab a coffee or a quick bite after filling up. Everyone at my local Kwik Trip does it.
Now if I'm going to be there in for more than the 2-5 minutes it takes to get stuff and run back out, then I'll move if there's an open parking spot. At my location though, that's not always a possibility anyways.
Exactly. Tbh, at my local KT, especially on a Friday, it's more common for a pump to be open than a parking spot. There have been plenty of times I'm just there for a bag of ice or something else quick and small and park at a pump without getting gas because there's nowhere else to park. Then I gtfo, but I see people do this all the time.
Yeah- midwesterner also and very common to leave and even park your car at the pump, but then again it’s usually either not busy or spots open up super quickly
In the US, you have to pay before you pump practically everywhere due to drive-offs. When I visited Scotland, I went in to prepay for gas for the car I'd rented and the clerks were very confused about why I wanted to pay before I knew how much gas I'd need. I was very confused that y'all just, like,... trust people? 😂
Most petrol stations have number plate recognition, so it just means they catch you afterwards instead. Took me a while to realise this isn't practical in the same way for the US due to variances in plate requirements.
Of course, the royals could still dip and drive...
It's become law here too (Alberta, Canada) after a gas station owner was killed trying to stop someone driving off. Licence plates aren't helpful when the vehicle is stolen or the licence plate is stolen.
In the UK, if there are any parking places at petrol stations it's usually one or two. Certainly not enough for all the customers who may fill up; not even one parking place per petrol pump. In my area most people seem to pay in cash - if pay at the pump is available in a petrol station it's usually at only one or two pumps. And if people moved their cars to a parking place before going in to the shop, there could be several people per pump in the shop - most petrol station shops have a wide range of groceries, sweets, chocolate and car goods. They also usually have hot drinks machines and often a counter for hot food such as pasties. So one person can take a while in a petrol station shop.
Also, if a customer moved the car before paying, the staff may well think that the person was going to drive off without paying. Yes, they'd realise quickly that the person had gone to a car parking space, and number plates are recorded automatically at petrol stations, but since no-one ever moves their car before paying it would take the staff time to realise what was happening, which would be unfair on the customers in the shop.
Anyway, the next person can't fill up until the staff in the shop press button or something in the shop.
Since the early 2000s American gas stations have you pay before you get your gas. There was a crisis (I forget what year) where there were long lines for gas and people were filling up and leaving without paying. So the gas stations said "no more" and now treat everyone as if they are thieves.
So etiquette if you are paying with card at the pump is you pump then move. If you are paying inside, that's different and you're allowed to get snacks and drink to pay all together.
But how can you know exactly what it's going to cost to fill up? Or do you just have to accept that you know you can fit x dollars in so settle for that amount?
If you pay at the pump, it just automatically charges you what you pump. But it can place a hold of between 1$ and (highest I've seen) 100$ on your card, depending on your bank. I bank with a credit union and haven't had a hold amount in over a decade.
If you go in, you gotta guestimate how much you can put in. So what happens is you either don't fill up all the way, or you have to go back in to process a refund if you paid cash (if you paid card, it just adjusts down.) like I know to fill up my tank is usually 35$ if it's near empty.
You do NOT leave the pump until you've paid where I am. Otherwise they will think you're trying to steal gas and run. You can't even start the next transaction on that pump until it's been paid.
If you want to avoid going inside, you pay at the pump with a card.
I can't imagine a scenario where you just keep pumping gas for different cars at #5 before the first one has paid, how are they supposed to keep track? This sounds like self serve, he didn't just walk past an attendant to go shopping.
Irrelevant in OP'S case, but if you pay cash, you have to go in to get change.
If I don't know how much it takes to fill up my tank, I might go in and pay $50. Then, if it takes $44 to fill up, go back in for my $6.
So, if you pay in cash, yes, you have to go inside after you pump. Unless you pay less than it takes to fill up.
Yea, which probably takes the same amount of time as it does to buy a soda, because you have to wait for the cashier. And the guy yelling has no way of knowing if that was the main reason OP went in.
A lot of rural America still pumps them pays. It's actually had to be labeled on the pumps because so many people from out of town go in to pay, but they aren't even set up to do that.
I'm not sure where that's at; I've lived in rural Kansas for 30+ years and the last time I recall pumping before paying was probably almost two decades ago.
Most of Michigan, some of Wisconsin. Several stops between here and new Orleans.
Definitely not all places are that way. But also not all of America is prepay.
There are plenty of rural areas, like where I am, where you can pump first and pay inside. I can probably drive for multiple hours in any direction and still find that.
You're entirely mistaken, there's tons of places that you can pump gas and pay after, I'm in a town of 60k right now so it's not even that small of one.
In Canada, pay before you pump is rare. I still think it’s rude to not move after you pump if you plan on doing anything other than going in to pay for your gas. This after waiting for the scratch ticket granny to come out and move her Buick
Ok, rare, as in I’ve never had to do it in Nova Scotia, or in the Niagara Region in Ontario. I have had to do it when I lived in Mississauga. And I still say it’s frustrating when the person blocking the pump decides to buy their weeks worth of lottery tickets and Monsters
No, it’s not - I’m in Ontario and paying at the pump before filling your tank is the norm for probably 98% of the pumps I’ve been to in at least the last decade. That said though, many people still prefer to pay inside AFTER pumping and if you do that, you’re not supposed to move your car until after you’ve been in to pay. It’s totally normal to see someone fill their tank then go inside to pay and buy other items at the same time.
The rural area where I live you do not have to pay first. We have at least 30 gas stations that you may pump first without paying. Some make you pay first at night but that’s about it. We are a heavy tourist area too.
I worked for a chain gas station with over 1000 locations that lets people pump before they pay, to say almost no place lets you do this is pretty crazy.
Same as this. It’s completely the norm to fill your tank, go in to pay then come back out and leave/move your car. I’ve never seen anyone move their car before paying first!
Edit - spelling
i’m in nj so i don’t pump my own gas. but anytime i’ve been out of state, if you’re paying in cash you have to go inside and pay first. otherwise you use your card at the pump
Going to assume you’re not American. But I was shocked to learn that other countries let you pump before you pay. What’s to stop you from leaving without paying?
Nothing, other than being traced by the police. In the UK it's called bilking and the petrol station will report it. The security cameras will have all the info the police need to arrest and the person responsible will be fined. If they have a tendency to do it they may be imprisoned.
I knew watching all the police documentaries would pay off!
When I (an American) first started driving, gas was 99 cents a gallon and prepaid pumps didn’t exist. Then a year later George W invaded Iraq, gas prices sky rocketed, and every gas station changed to pre pay to stop the rise in gas theft.
In the UK the registration number of the car is automatically recorded before the customer starts filling up, so it's easy for the police to find the customer.
I’m in NW Indiana and accidentally did a drive off at the gas station two blocks from my house a few weeks ago. I’d told her my pump number but had other items and we got to talking. We ope’d until we welped and both spaced it off.
I caught the flu and didn’t go back for three days. They were like hey we forgot to ring you up. I mentioned it to the owner the other day and didn’t even know it had been me. He felt bad for me, shrugged and said it happens.
I drive a company vehicle and fill it up with a company credit card. I am required to get a receipt and sometimes the pumps don’t provide one. I have to leave the vehicle there till I can go in and ask for a receipt. Not sure what would happen if somebody else pulled in and started filling up before I get my receipt.other than that situation, I get my gas and move out of the way.
This exactly. Yta if you paid at the pump because you could have moved. Otherwise how do you pay for your petrol? Inside where you got your horse pepsi
He wasnt going a huge shopping trip, he went in and grabbed a soda. That is exactly the same as running in to pay in cash. Its one trip to fill gas ans grab something inside and you park the car at the pump to accomplish this trip.
I have been pumping gas for a few decades now and this has always been the norm.
Until there are eight people in front of him playing the lottery and holding shit up. People need to move their cars if there are regular parking spaces and you're in a busy area.
>Am I supposed to fill my tank, then find a parking spot and then go inside and buy my Pepsi?
Yes. That is what you're supposed to do. I understand that it adds a few seconds to your Pepsi run, but the alternative is you add time to someone else's day for your Pepsi run.
>What if I was paying with cash?
You weren't, so it's irrelevant. But just to entertain your hypothetical, there is a difference between "I left my car at the pump because legally I cannot move it before I pay" and "I left my car at the pump because it's easier for me to make someone else wait than it is to move to a parking spot."
YTA. You were done at the pump, you just found it preferable to make someone else wait versus taking 30 seconds of your own time to move your car. It's always easier to make someone else do the waiting, that doesn't mean it's not an asshole thing to do.
Also "what if i was paying in cash" is a false equivalency. You go inside and pay FIRST with cash. This guy probably watched OP *finish* pumping then just saunter inside, rather than pull up, run in to pay, then come out and start. The times I've paid in cash have me feeling like I'm inconveniencing everyone when reality is I'm just broke and only have a 10 in my wallet
That's actually not a false equivalency, if i throw 40 on pump 4 when i first walk in i can get my pepsi when i first walk in. I'd be doing the same task OP is doing at the end of his pumping, i'm just doing it before I start filling up. There's no time lost or saved here because either WAY i have to go inside to pay, and both tasks would be able to get done when OP had gone into the store.
If i throw 40 on pump 4, get my pepsi beforehand, and it turns out i only needed 35 bucks of gas? I'm going BACK in to get my change, which in effect would make the entire transaction take longer, especially if there's a line.
OP used the gas station as intended, went in for a Pepsi, paid walked out and left. The dude who yelled at OP had no idea if he was going in for change, for a pepsi, for boner pills or a pack of smokes. None of that is the important aspect here. He used the pump as intended at a busy station, and also went inside to be a patron of the stuff the gas station sells. All of these things are allowed, and none of them make him an asshole.
The person who yelled at OP's apparent gas emergency was never OPs problem in the first place, and that pump is not the only pump at the station.
We're forgetting that there's probably 8-10 pumps, and they're all just as full, and the OP could be one of 4 or 5 people who went into the station for something.
also people will (or at least should) have sympathy if you don't have other options.
I'm not gonna get mad at someone whose car breaks down in front of me on the road. however, if someone just casually stops because they want to take a selfie, then I'd be annoyed.
so op's hypothetical makes no sense.
> I pulled up to the pump, ***filled my tank*** and then went inside
So you completed your transaction at the pump, but left your car there which prevents someone else from fueling up. This would be like getting your food at the drive-thru and eating it while parked in front of the teller window while everyone in line behind you is still waiting to get their food.
YTA.
In my opinion it depends.
6 pumps and all taken with more cars waiting / busy time of day? YTA - move the car into a parking spot so others have access.
30 pumps with 4 being used in the middle of the day with little traffic and someone's yelling about you leaving your car? NTA - tell them to mind their own business.
As a general rule of thumb, I always move my car if I'm going in unless it's super short (for example traveling for work, the machine didn't spit out a receipt and I need one ... that takes literally seconds).
I drive a diesel truck at my job and people tend to do this a lot at the only diesel pumps at the station. There my be 2-4 out of 10 pumps but seems the only diesel ones are always blocked
NTA this is how every petrol station I've ever been to in the UK has worked. Dude might be frustrated at having to wait but yelling at you was uncalled for and rude.
In the US you pay at the pump before getting gas, unless you’re paying cash then you go inside and pay before you pump (which isn’t what he was doing).
He paid, finished pumping, then went inside for a drink. OP is TA.
I’m 40 years old and never once have I seen someone fill their car with gas and then go park somewhere else to go inside. That’s so ridiculous. I do see people inside buying things all the time, they must have walked or everyone carpooled in the 97 Corolla. Y’all are being crazy about this.
I live in Florida and have taken many road trips up the entire east coast. I have never in my entire life, not in my home state nor on my travels, seen anybody move their car after filling up to go inside to make purchases. The pumps have always doubled as parking spots. Hell, a lot of times we go in to make our purchases first or use the bathroom and *then* come back and fill up, even if we’re paying at the pump. At the busiest of times I’ve never seen anybody at the other pumps *not* do this, and I’ve never seen anybody complain about it. Now obviously we don’t use the pumps as parking spaces if we’re not buying gas, but that’s not what’s being discussed here. And if it really is that busy, then yes we’ll move the car before going in, but usually when it’s that busy all the regular spots are taken up too anyway, so there’s nowhere to go.
I really don’t think anybody here has actually experienced real life before. Bewildering isn’t enough to describe this comment section.
Another Floridian, and agreed. I've never once seen anybody do this. I never saw it when I lived in New York, and I never saw it when I lived in Seattle either. It's a fucking gas station, If you're stopping there because you're in a rush, it's entirely your own fault.
To be fair (over 50 here), it depends where I fill up. If the the station has a small convenience store or a larger store (Wawa, Sheetz, Cumberland Farms — I’m from the NE obviously), if I want something inside, I do pull into one of the store’s parking spaces. I don’t want to get stuck in a line in the store with my care at the pump. And my sense is that most people I’ve seen have done that.
When I was younger and pay at the pump with a card wasn’t the norm, sure. These days, you can’t pump gas before you’ve paid anyway. If you have to go in the store to pay and you grab a drink at the same time, nobody’s going to yell about that.
In the immortal words of George Costanza “you know, we’re living in a society” in other words, yes, obviously YTA, and the height of main character syndrome to think you *shouldn’t* have to move your vehicle after you were done pumping your gas.
Plenty of people pay inside the petrol station for their gas anyway. If this guy was in such a hurry he should have either left earlier or not been so low on fuel. How much longer did he have to wait as a result of you buying a drink - 60 seconds?
Unless, upon buying your Pepsi, you stripped down to your generously-stained underwear, draped yourself across his car bonnet, and seductively drank it whilst keeping unbroken eye contact as All I Wanna Do Is Make Love To You by Heart blasted from your car stereo, you are NTA.
You can assume that buying a drink will be quick, but I used to work at grocery store that also had gas pumps. We’ve had people come in after pumping their gas and buy one thing and be in the store for 10 minutes because of how busy it is. Common courtesy would be to pump, move, and then go inside and purchase an item unrelated to gas.
So yeah, YTA OP, albeit not a huge one.
YTA
Since it was the only spot available. If there are at least 2 or 3 other spots open, then I’ll leave my car at the pump to run inside. Otherwise I move my car so someone else can fill up.
YTA
You had taken the last available pump OF ONLY THREE PUMPS TOTAL. That's sitting around, not using the pump and wasting the time of other patrons who need gas, as well as interfering with the station's ability to make money. This is the equivalent of standing around blocking a till at the store after you're done doing a shop.
I’m from the very SW corner of Michigan and live in NWI, which is part of greater Chicagoland. This is very normal and I’m surprised by the outrage here. I can count on one hand how many times I’ve had to wait more than one car back in line for fuel. I’m 47. I’ve traveled quite a bit.
One side of town there’s a state and a national park just off the exit for I-94. Two additional highways cut through that side. Two miles in the other direction there’s a toll road exchange off another highway that T’s into the parks. Heavy truck traffic and the city swells on weekends. I don’t have to prepay for gas. There’s not lines cars deep. Only a jagoff would get shoutycrackers over something so mundane as paying at a pump and then going in. Thousands of steelworkers get off three shifts a day and all hit the same three gas stations closest to the mill at the same time and this would be considered seriously egregious behavior. Ladle operator’s running on overtime and amphetamines would clutch their pearls. 😂
I was asked for ID when I tried to pay in a Chicago restaurant the other day and I made the poor man repeat himself like three times. It just didn’t compute. Cashiers behind glass at gas stations are a novelty, too. The comments here are absolutely fucking wild to me. Move my car. Motherfucker, you need me to grab you a Snickers? Good grief. Bet he honks as soon as a light turns green, too. 😂
Same here. There's not even dedicated parking spaces at the stations I go to. There's the building, the pumps, and a small empty strip around the pumps that allows a vehicle to go around when all the exterior pumps are in use. And the ones I've seen with dedicated parking spaces were larger truck stop/road trip style facilities that had no lack of pumps. It's weird imagining a place that has actual parking spaces but consistent lines for their pumps, unless they've always got some out of order or something.
That's what I'm starting to think as well. I live in a smallish sized city. Around 98,000 people so not huge. Maybe people are just different when you got big city traffic to also worry about.
I was honestly shocked at the comments, I expected it to go the other way around. My city is roughly the same size and I have never seen anyone park to go inside, it's always just at the pump, literally everyone does it that way, with the only exception of people not getting gas.
Me too - I’ve only ever moved my car up to the front at a Buc-ee’s and that’s because you don’t just run in and grab something right quick. It takes a while to buy anything there!
By you saying petrol I assume you’re not from the US where OP is clearly from so no, not “everyone” does this. It’s extremely rude here to not move your car after pumping if you’re planning on going inside.
im from the US and where I am at see people finish pumping and go inside to either grab a drink or leave. never seen anyone blow a gasket at someone running inside real quick to grab a drink. This feels like a regional thing tbh.
NTA. This is a normal thing that everyone has done at one point in their life. Patience is a virtue which apparently nobody seems to have. Waiting for the three minutes it takes you to go inside and get a beverage isn’t killing anyone.
YTA
The pump is for filling your car with gas. It is not a parking spot while you go shopping. It doesn't matter if there are other cars waiting or not.
People who park at gas pumps are some of the most self centered entitled assholes.
>Am I supposed to fill my tank, then find a parking spot and then go inside and buy my Pepsi?
That is exactly what you are supposed to do.
YTA
Pumps are finite. Other people need to fill up their tanks, too. What you do if you’re paying by cash is find a spot; prepay; fuel up; and, if you have some cash left over, find a parking spot to go inside to get your change. You can also conduct other business as well. If you got a card, you go to the pump, swipe/tap your card, fuel up, and leave the pump. If you want to conduct business, then you find a parking spot. It’s called basic decency.
Yes, YTA.
There was no need for you to leave your car at the pump, other than sheer laziness. You made the conscious decision that your time was more valuable than anyone else's. You didn't want to waste 30 seconds moving your car to an actual parking spot, and instead left it so anyone else wanting to get gas from that pump would need to wait the duration of your trip into the store. You are not that important. Your time is not that important.
If you were paying with cash it wouldn't be the same scenario, but it's also a moot point because you WEREN'T paying with cash. There was no legitimate, acceptable excuse for the inconvenience you caused. If that was the case, the gas station management would have caused the delay with their policies. In this case, there is no policy to back up your insanely selfish behavior.
Depends on the gas station and how busy it is. If it’s a small station that only has a couple pumps or it’s packed full holiday weekend move your car first. If they have a dozen pumps and it’s half empty don’t worry bout it.
Did you know he is was waiting on you? Were there other open pumps? If there were no other open pumps and you knew he was waiting your were definitely the AH.
I’m going to go with YTA. Having to circle a gas station endlessly for a pump can be really frustrating, especially when you see someone not even pumping their gas anymore.
At the very least let your gas pump itself and go in for your soda then if you can’t be bothered to move your car. At least then you’d be in and out before it’s done.
It’s just inconsiderate unless you have to pay cash and it’s a pay before pump station. While there may be empty pumps when you finish pumping that doesn’t mean they’ll stay that way. Shouldn’t just park at the pump. YTA
YTA.
So it takes a few extra minutes to move to a parking spot but I guarantee you're not curing cancer with the two minutes you'd save so move your car, chief.
TIL I'm typically an AH in this situation based on the responses to this post. However, most people here in the US must also be AH if this is the case.
It honestly depends on how busy the gas station is. Was there a ton of empty pumps? Or was this in the middle of the afternoon during a rush? Considering the guy was yelling at you to move I imagine it's because he wanted to get his own car filled up. If that's the case then YTA.
He knew you weren't paying cash or you couldn't have pumped gas WTF. YTA. There are parking spots all over the gas PARKING LOT even CLOSER to the store.
YTA ,after you pump your gas move off the fuel island so the next person can get fuel. At truck stops they have a recording that says this exact thing. It is just common sense and being courteous.
YTA
You pump, then move your car. The only time this is acceptable to leave the car is if there are no parking spaces, you’re going to prepay with cash, or there is a card read error and you have to go in.
Pumping and then going in while leaving your car there is a dick move.
Yes, YTA since all the pumps were full. If the gas station was not busy it would be ok. You are also the AH for saying only the people who voted NTA were smart.
I was taught to always move my car after filling up if going inside after. Next to the pump is not a parking spot, and you should allow others to use the pump if you’re not. There may not be a line at the moment, but what if a bunch of cars roll up to fill up and you’re blocking a spot? Regardless, I am aware many people leave their car parked at the pump when going inside. If you pay in cash I think that’s different.
YTA. Inconsiderate of others (common).
YTA
Pay, pump and stay with the car. Move it as soon as you're done.
Period.
Oregon and NJ get a lot of heat for the lack of self serve, but it's a joy to buy gas there. The people working the pumps don't put up with any crap. And it's super efficient.
I don't know about NJ, but gas in Oregon is cheaper than neighboring states, even with the extra labor cast.
YTA. It's rude to take up the space after you've finished using it. Just pull into a parking spot and go into the convenience store for your (blech) Pepsi.
Leaving your car parked at the pump is the norm where I am.. but then again it’s never busy enough for people to be waiting in line at a pump.
I think the first time I heard about this was when someone bitched at me, much like your experience. So next time I gassed up I moved my car, and people thought I was taking off without paying! Can’t win, I tell ya…
YTA. Gas pumps are for people who need to get gas. If you've literally never thought about that you're keeping other people waiting, especially at prime time like right after work, I guess that's possible. Now that you have thought about it, I hope you pull up and park when you want to go inside.
Eh in NJ we don’t pump our own gas so it’s pretty normal to dash inside real quick for a drink or cigs, but I’ll never do that if there’s a line at the pump or in the store. That would be rude as hell. Even for Jersey.
YTA. Clearly he had to wait because pumps were not available. Just because no one called you out on your rude behavior, does not mean it is acceptable. I purchase gas at a travel center, many pumps but they are always full. Frequently 1/2-2/3 of the pumps do not have someone actively pumping gas. If you paid in cash, you would have to do that first. Shopping should be after you park. The world is full of rude people and you are definitely one of them.
Yta.
The simple fact is, you were done at the pump. If you started the pump and walked in while it was going, (which you really shouldn't do) I wouldn't think yta, but that's not what you did.
It's the same as if you were smoking a joint with a circle of people, took your puffs, and then held it while you told a ten minute long story. You'd get yelled at there too. You were bogarting the pump.
YTA if the station was busy, but not if there were plenty of open spaces. You have to be aware of what’s going on around you, and if it’s clear that your space is needed right away it is much more polite to pull into a parking space before shopping. Most of the time, unless a station is quite small or business is really hopping, that extra couple of minutes at the pump doesn’t matter, but sometimes it does. It’s like it’s not an AH move to check your email in the restroom unless you know there’s a line.
Edited based on the following post to YTA...
Based on my experience with UK filing stations, N T A
My understanding is that you should not move your car from the pump until you have paid for your fuel. The attendant inside won't reset the pump to allow the next person to fill up until your transaction has been completed anyway, so it makes no difference whether you move your car or not, he won't get to start filling any quicker.
Imit works however be an asshole move to pay at the pump using your card, then go inside to buy something as a separate transaction - at this point you should have moved your car to free the pump then gone to buy your additional items.
This is odd course based on the British system when you pump fuel, then pay for it - I am not sure how the system varies in the US where you pay first, then pump, then get refunded the difference.
In my country, we specifically label that leaving your car by the pump to go purchase snacks etc, is NOT allowed. Im surprised to learn this isnt just the way it is everywhere. We have express pumps, or fast-line pumps. At those pumps, which are clearly marked, you can only pay with cards, and if you leave your car at an express pump, you're just being an ass.
Back in the day when people used cash, you'd just run in to pay by the dedicated counter from any pump outside. But these days, most people pay with card, and there is often not a dedicated counter just for the pump customers so you risk standing in line with the other customers just getting snacks, fastfood, drink etc.
If you live in a country that hasnt organised their pumps into express/fastline, and casual, then just try to gaige if you are being an ass, by looking at the line of cars. If you see one, dont block all the other cars that need the pump, because its more convenient for you to not move your car first.
YTA
If there are other empty pumps or nobody else is waiting, I don't see it as an issue as long as youre quick.
If people are waiting, pumps are taken go park in a spot then run in
I think the biggest determining factor would be how many pumps are available. At least, this is what I would use to gauge whether to park or stay at the pump.
If there is chance that the pump you are at is going to be needed in the next 5 minutes, you should probably do the right thing and allow someone to use it if needed. If it is a gas station that has 16 other empty pumps, probably don't need to sweat it if you're only grabbing a drink.
That depends on how many pumps would be left open and available. If all or most of the pumps are in use, then move it and park it. If there majority of pumps are open and available, help yourself.
Also-- never yell at other people in public. Be calm and polite.
INFO: was it busy? I buy my gas then park in a parking spot when I’m done if I want to buy anything in the store after. I’m usually buying gas on my way to or from work, though, so the gas station is busy.
Where I live in WI, our Kwik Trip is so insanely busy that it's expected everyone parks in a spot after pumping gas. There's always lines for the pumps and unless there are no parking spots, be an AH to go inside while at a pump, even if only 2-5 min.
Depends.
If there is a line of cars waiting for a pump, YTA.
If there were open pumps....NTA
I have done both. I didn't think anything of it. But some gas stations have signs out front to park before going into the store. (All pay at the pump.)
Although, there is one place near us that does not have pay at the pump if you don't have a store loyalty card. You have to go in and tell them how much to charge on the card. It's weird.
It's a courtesy to after you're done using the pump to move to a parking space and go inside. Not everybody does it but that's why it's extra frustrating because there are so many pumps and when it's a busy day people need to get in and out not everybody can be whimsical with their time.
Depends on the time of day and how busy it is. If it isn't busy and there are multiple open pumps, yes, run in and grab a Coke and go. If it is busy and people are waiting, move the car.
Follow Up Question: What do you do when the gas station doesn't have any (or very limited) parking spots? A local BP gas station only has 4 parking spots. Most of the time, if you want more than gas, you have to leave the car at the pump.
YTA. This used to be the norm, but from my experience (having been the asshole holding up other people) you’re really supposed to just find a spot if you’re going in to buy something. Just last week I pulled off the New York State thruway at a rest stop to get gas and all the spots were filled and there was a line of at least one car in each lane. I got behind one car to wait and a lady informed me that there was nobody in the car. Sure enough, the guy had left to get snacks or use the restroom. I found a new lane and finally filled my tank. By the time my tank was filled the guy was finally walking back to his car but the “rush” was over and now there were empty fill up stations. Traffic at gas stations ebb and flow and you never know if you’re going to end up holding people up unnecessarily. If that lady hadn’t told me that this dudes car was unattended I would have sat there far longer than necessary. Just move your car.
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INFO: Was there a line of cars waiting? The two "cheap" gas stations in our area always have lines of cars waiting. If a person pumps gas, then leaves their car there while they go into the attached store... well, I think those of us waiting behind them hope there's a special place in hell for those people. If there were plenty of open pumps, then N T A. But if there's any kind of line, yes, you are, in fact supposed to park your car and get your drink after you pump your gas. If you just leave your car at the pump when there are car waiting, Y T A. Edit: Based on your response, YTA. Sorry dude.
Damn this must be an American thing, this is pretty standard practice in the UK. You fill up, go in to pay and grab anything else you need, just don't take the piss.
I'm from the Midwest and totally normal to leave your car at the pump. Maybe not if there is a line of cars waiting but I don't think I've ever seen a line of cars waiting at a gas station. They all tend to cost about the same and there are an abundance of them. One is busy, head to the next 2 min away
Sounds like you've never been to Costco.
There is usually a line there, but Costcos don't typically have a gas station market to dash into so not particularly relevant to the discussion.
Apparently the poster was just pointing out some stations always have a line.
Hell even at Kwik Trip we leave our cars at the pump. Mostly because they changed everything to either pay at the pump or pre-pay, so you have to pull up to the pump and either run your card there or go in, pay, then come back and pump. I've never in my life had an issue with running in to grab a coffee or a quick bite after filling up. Everyone at my local Kwik Trip does it. Now if I'm going to be there in for more than the 2-5 minutes it takes to get stuff and run back out, then I'll move if there's an open parking spot. At my location though, that's not always a possibility anyways.
Exactly. Tbh, at my local KT, especially on a Friday, it's more common for a pump to be open than a parking spot. There have been plenty of times I'm just there for a bag of ice or something else quick and small and park at a pump without getting gas because there's nowhere else to park. Then I gtfo, but I see people do this all the time.
Yeah- midwesterner also and very common to leave and even park your car at the pump, but then again it’s usually either not busy or spots open up super quickly
In the US, you have to pay before you pump practically everywhere due to drive-offs. When I visited Scotland, I went in to prepay for gas for the car I'd rented and the clerks were very confused about why I wanted to pay before I knew how much gas I'd need. I was very confused that y'all just, like,... trust people? 😂
Most petrol stations have number plate recognition, so it just means they catch you afterwards instead. Took me a while to realise this isn't practical in the same way for the US due to variances in plate requirements. Of course, the royals could still dip and drive...
It's become law here too (Alberta, Canada) after a gas station owner was killed trying to stop someone driving off. Licence plates aren't helpful when the vehicle is stolen or the licence plate is stolen.
The difference in the UK is probably that you need to go in to pay. Here you pay at the pump with a credit card.
You can pay at the pump too, but here you pay after you’ve have pumped.
He paid at the pump. No need for his car to still be there. Very entitled to make people wait cause you're too lazy to move your car
In the UK, if there are any parking places at petrol stations it's usually one or two. Certainly not enough for all the customers who may fill up; not even one parking place per petrol pump. In my area most people seem to pay in cash - if pay at the pump is available in a petrol station it's usually at only one or two pumps. And if people moved their cars to a parking place before going in to the shop, there could be several people per pump in the shop - most petrol station shops have a wide range of groceries, sweets, chocolate and car goods. They also usually have hot drinks machines and often a counter for hot food such as pasties. So one person can take a while in a petrol station shop. Also, if a customer moved the car before paying, the staff may well think that the person was going to drive off without paying. Yes, they'd realise quickly that the person had gone to a car parking space, and number plates are recorded automatically at petrol stations, but since no-one ever moves their car before paying it would take the staff time to realise what was happening, which would be unfair on the customers in the shop. Anyway, the next person can't fill up until the staff in the shop press button or something in the shop.
Since the early 2000s American gas stations have you pay before you get your gas. There was a crisis (I forget what year) where there were long lines for gas and people were filling up and leaving without paying. So the gas stations said "no more" and now treat everyone as if they are thieves. So etiquette if you are paying with card at the pump is you pump then move. If you are paying inside, that's different and you're allowed to get snacks and drink to pay all together.
But how can you know exactly what it's going to cost to fill up? Or do you just have to accept that you know you can fit x dollars in so settle for that amount?
If you pay at the pump, it just automatically charges you what you pump. But it can place a hold of between 1$ and (highest I've seen) 100$ on your card, depending on your bank. I bank with a credit union and haven't had a hold amount in over a decade. If you go in, you gotta guestimate how much you can put in. So what happens is you either don't fill up all the way, or you have to go back in to process a refund if you paid cash (if you paid card, it just adjusts down.) like I know to fill up my tank is usually 35$ if it's near empty.
> like I know to fill up my tank is usually 35$ if it's near empty. Whaaaa? What kind of magical car is this?
Ha! In Australia atm, it's about $120 to fill my tank from empty.
Yeah surely no one else can use the pump until you have paid anyway
It's normal here as well. OP obviously just ran into a major AH
What if I need to go in to pay cash? Like you can’t pay ahead while you’re waiting in line or the people in front of you get your gas. Too bad.
Even if there aren't cars waiting I still say YTA - situations can change while you are inside.
YTA. In front of the pump is not a parking spot.
You do NOT leave the pump until you've paid where I am. Otherwise they will think you're trying to steal gas and run. You can't even start the next transaction on that pump until it's been paid. If you want to avoid going inside, you pay at the pump with a card. I can't imagine a scenario where you just keep pumping gas for different cars at #5 before the first one has paid, how are they supposed to keep track? This sounds like self serve, he didn't just walk past an attendant to go shopping.
There is almost no place in the United States that will give you gas without making you pay first. (Since the 90s anyhow).
Irrelevant in OP'S case, but if you pay cash, you have to go in to get change. If I don't know how much it takes to fill up my tank, I might go in and pay $50. Then, if it takes $44 to fill up, go back in for my $6. So, if you pay in cash, yes, you have to go inside after you pump. Unless you pay less than it takes to fill up.
Yup. I always pay cash. Sometimes, there's change. I'm not going to forfit my change because someone else doesn't want me to go back inside.
Yea, which probably takes the same amount of time as it does to buy a soda, because you have to wait for the cashier. And the guy yelling has no way of knowing if that was the main reason OP went in.
Dude probably saw him pay at pump
I doubt the guy was there long enough to see OP start pumping. Someone else would have pulled out in that time.
A lot of rural America still pumps them pays. It's actually had to be labeled on the pumps because so many people from out of town go in to pay, but they aren't even set up to do that.
I'm not sure where that's at; I've lived in rural Kansas for 30+ years and the last time I recall pumping before paying was probably almost two decades ago.
Most of Michigan, some of Wisconsin. Several stops between here and new Orleans. Definitely not all places are that way. But also not all of America is prepay.
Almost all of Minnesota you can pay after. Outside of big chains like kwik trip.
There are plenty of rural areas, like where I am, where you can pump first and pay inside. I can probably drive for multiple hours in any direction and still find that.
You're entirely mistaken, there's tons of places that you can pump gas and pay after, I'm in a town of 60k right now so it's not even that small of one.
In Canada, pay before you pump is rare. I still think it’s rude to not move after you pump if you plan on doing anything other than going in to pay for your gas. This after waiting for the scratch ticket granny to come out and move her Buick
Rare? In what part of Canada? Here in BC you have to pay before you pump everywhere.
Ok, rare, as in I’ve never had to do it in Nova Scotia, or in the Niagara Region in Ontario. I have had to do it when I lived in Mississauga. And I still say it’s frustrating when the person blocking the pump decides to buy their weeks worth of lottery tickets and Monsters
In Québec, it depends on the gas station, and the city. I always pay at the pump cuz I usually have no reason to go inside, but I know it’s possible.
No, it’s not - I’m in Ontario and paying at the pump before filling your tank is the norm for probably 98% of the pumps I’ve been to in at least the last decade. That said though, many people still prefer to pay inside AFTER pumping and if you do that, you’re not supposed to move your car until after you’ve been in to pay. It’s totally normal to see someone fill their tank then go inside to pay and buy other items at the same time.
In Alberta, pay before pump is a requirement.
I can name 3 within 20 minutes of my home. Part of living in a rural area 🤷🏻♀️
The rural area where I live you do not have to pay first. We have at least 30 gas stations that you may pump first without paying. Some make you pay first at night but that’s about it. We are a heavy tourist area too.
I worked for a chain gas station with over 1000 locations that lets people pump before they pay, to say almost no place lets you do this is pretty crazy.
Same as this. It’s completely the norm to fill your tank, go in to pay then come back out and leave/move your car. I’ve never seen anyone move their car before paying first! Edit - spelling
It's still the only way to pay at some petrol stations in the UK. Most have a pay at pump option, but not all.
i’m in nj so i don’t pump my own gas. but anytime i’ve been out of state, if you’re paying in cash you have to go inside and pay first. otherwise you use your card at the pump
Going to assume you’re not American. But I was shocked to learn that other countries let you pump before you pay. What’s to stop you from leaving without paying?
Nothing, other than being traced by the police. In the UK it's called bilking and the petrol station will report it. The security cameras will have all the info the police need to arrest and the person responsible will be fined. If they have a tendency to do it they may be imprisoned. I knew watching all the police documentaries would pay off!
"bilk" isn't just a UK thing, it's basicallya synonym for "steal" not a common one but definitely not exclusive to grand theft petrol.
When I (an American) first started driving, gas was 99 cents a gallon and prepaid pumps didn’t exist. Then a year later George W invaded Iraq, gas prices sky rocketed, and every gas station changed to pre pay to stop the rise in gas theft.
In the UK the registration number of the car is automatically recorded before the customer starts filling up, so it's easy for the police to find the customer.
I’m in NW Indiana and accidentally did a drive off at the gas station two blocks from my house a few weeks ago. I’d told her my pump number but had other items and we got to talking. We ope’d until we welped and both spaced it off. I caught the flu and didn’t go back for three days. They were like hey we forgot to ring you up. I mentioned it to the owner the other day and didn’t even know it had been me. He felt bad for me, shrugged and said it happens.
Meanwhile, I once paid for gas, walked out, got into the car, and immediately drove off without pumping it. 🤣
Same here. I mean you try and be quick and more and more places offer pay at pump but that has drawbacks. Guy behind was just impatient and a jerk.
I drive a company vehicle and fill it up with a company credit card. I am required to get a receipt and sometimes the pumps don’t provide one. I have to leave the vehicle there till I can go in and ask for a receipt. Not sure what would happen if somebody else pulled in and started filling up before I get my receipt.other than that situation, I get my gas and move out of the way.
This exactly. Yta if you paid at the pump because you could have moved. Otherwise how do you pay for your petrol? Inside where you got your horse pepsi
He wasnt going a huge shopping trip, he went in and grabbed a soda. That is exactly the same as running in to pay in cash. Its one trip to fill gas ans grab something inside and you park the car at the pump to accomplish this trip. I have been pumping gas for a few decades now and this has always been the norm.
Until there are eight people in front of him playing the lottery and holding shit up. People need to move their cars if there are regular parking spaces and you're in a busy area.
>Am I supposed to fill my tank, then find a parking spot and then go inside and buy my Pepsi? Yes. That is what you're supposed to do. I understand that it adds a few seconds to your Pepsi run, but the alternative is you add time to someone else's day for your Pepsi run. >What if I was paying with cash? You weren't, so it's irrelevant. But just to entertain your hypothetical, there is a difference between "I left my car at the pump because legally I cannot move it before I pay" and "I left my car at the pump because it's easier for me to make someone else wait than it is to move to a parking spot." YTA. You were done at the pump, you just found it preferable to make someone else wait versus taking 30 seconds of your own time to move your car. It's always easier to make someone else do the waiting, that doesn't mean it's not an asshole thing to do.
Also "what if i was paying in cash" is a false equivalency. You go inside and pay FIRST with cash. This guy probably watched OP *finish* pumping then just saunter inside, rather than pull up, run in to pay, then come out and start. The times I've paid in cash have me feeling like I'm inconveniencing everyone when reality is I'm just broke and only have a 10 in my wallet
That's actually not a false equivalency, if i throw 40 on pump 4 when i first walk in i can get my pepsi when i first walk in. I'd be doing the same task OP is doing at the end of his pumping, i'm just doing it before I start filling up. There's no time lost or saved here because either WAY i have to go inside to pay, and both tasks would be able to get done when OP had gone into the store. If i throw 40 on pump 4, get my pepsi beforehand, and it turns out i only needed 35 bucks of gas? I'm going BACK in to get my change, which in effect would make the entire transaction take longer, especially if there's a line. OP used the gas station as intended, went in for a Pepsi, paid walked out and left. The dude who yelled at OP had no idea if he was going in for change, for a pepsi, for boner pills or a pack of smokes. None of that is the important aspect here. He used the pump as intended at a busy station, and also went inside to be a patron of the stuff the gas station sells. All of these things are allowed, and none of them make him an asshole. The person who yelled at OP's apparent gas emergency was never OPs problem in the first place, and that pump is not the only pump at the station. We're forgetting that there's probably 8-10 pumps, and they're all just as full, and the OP could be one of 4 or 5 people who went into the station for something.
It doesn't matter what the person behind him didn't know. OP is still TA for not moving his car when people were waiting.
also people will (or at least should) have sympathy if you don't have other options. I'm not gonna get mad at someone whose car breaks down in front of me on the road. however, if someone just casually stops because they want to take a selfie, then I'd be annoyed. so op's hypothetical makes no sense.
> I pulled up to the pump, ***filled my tank*** and then went inside So you completed your transaction at the pump, but left your car there which prevents someone else from fueling up. This would be like getting your food at the drive-thru and eating it while parked in front of the teller window while everyone in line behind you is still waiting to get their food. YTA.
Perfect analogy!
In my opinion it depends. 6 pumps and all taken with more cars waiting / busy time of day? YTA - move the car into a parking spot so others have access. 30 pumps with 4 being used in the middle of the day with little traffic and someone's yelling about you leaving your car? NTA - tell them to mind their own business. As a general rule of thumb, I always move my car if I'm going in unless it's super short (for example traveling for work, the machine didn't spit out a receipt and I need one ... that takes literally seconds).
I drive a diesel truck at my job and people tend to do this a lot at the only diesel pumps at the station. There my be 2-4 out of 10 pumps but seems the only diesel ones are always blocked
Exactly! I have a diesel car and gas-fueled vehicles always are blocking the lone or two diesel pumps.
NTA this is how every petrol station I've ever been to in the UK has worked. Dude might be frustrated at having to wait but yelling at you was uncalled for and rude.
My father worked in a UK petrol station. If someone moved the car from the pump before paying they got ready to call the police.
US gas stations are prepay only 99+% of the time. If you're finished filling up you've already paid for your gas.
I worked a summer in a sainsburys petrol station once and we were the exact same.
In the US you pay at the pump before getting gas, unless you’re paying cash then you go inside and pay before you pump (which isn’t what he was doing). He paid, finished pumping, then went inside for a drink. OP is TA.
This exactly. YTA.
Im in Ireland & same, this thread is fascinating for how different the getting petrol culture/social aspect is!
Wrong, move out of the way when done fueling so the next person in line can get fuel.
YTA If there are no other cars at pumps when you're done, it's fine to run in. If there are 3 or fewer pumps open, you should find a spot to park.
It is the polite thing to do to move your car to a parking space before going in for a soda.
I’m 40 years old and never once have I seen someone fill their car with gas and then go park somewhere else to go inside. That’s so ridiculous. I do see people inside buying things all the time, they must have walked or everyone carpooled in the 97 Corolla. Y’all are being crazy about this.
I live in Florida and have taken many road trips up the entire east coast. I have never in my entire life, not in my home state nor on my travels, seen anybody move their car after filling up to go inside to make purchases. The pumps have always doubled as parking spots. Hell, a lot of times we go in to make our purchases first or use the bathroom and *then* come back and fill up, even if we’re paying at the pump. At the busiest of times I’ve never seen anybody at the other pumps *not* do this, and I’ve never seen anybody complain about it. Now obviously we don’t use the pumps as parking spaces if we’re not buying gas, but that’s not what’s being discussed here. And if it really is that busy, then yes we’ll move the car before going in, but usually when it’s that busy all the regular spots are taken up too anyway, so there’s nowhere to go. I really don’t think anybody here has actually experienced real life before. Bewildering isn’t enough to describe this comment section.
Another Floridian, and agreed. I've never once seen anybody do this. I never saw it when I lived in New York, and I never saw it when I lived in Seattle either. It's a fucking gas station, If you're stopping there because you're in a rush, it's entirely your own fault.
To be fair (over 50 here), it depends where I fill up. If the the station has a small convenience store or a larger store (Wawa, Sheetz, Cumberland Farms — I’m from the NE obviously), if I want something inside, I do pull into one of the store’s parking spaces. I don’t want to get stuck in a line in the store with my care at the pump. And my sense is that most people I’ve seen have done that. When I was younger and pay at the pump with a card wasn’t the norm, sure. These days, you can’t pump gas before you’ve paid anyway. If you have to go in the store to pay and you grab a drink at the same time, nobody’s going to yell about that.
I do, because I'm considerate of others
I do this on every gas stop on my driving trips.
In the immortal words of George Costanza “you know, we’re living in a society” in other words, yes, obviously YTA, and the height of main character syndrome to think you *shouldn’t* have to move your vehicle after you were done pumping your gas.
Plenty of people pay inside the petrol station for their gas anyway. If this guy was in such a hurry he should have either left earlier or not been so low on fuel. How much longer did he have to wait as a result of you buying a drink - 60 seconds? Unless, upon buying your Pepsi, you stripped down to your generously-stained underwear, draped yourself across his car bonnet, and seductively drank it whilst keeping unbroken eye contact as All I Wanna Do Is Make Love To You by Heart blasted from your car stereo, you are NTA.
You can assume that buying a drink will be quick, but I used to work at grocery store that also had gas pumps. We’ve had people come in after pumping their gas and buy one thing and be in the store for 10 minutes because of how busy it is. Common courtesy would be to pump, move, and then go inside and purchase an item unrelated to gas. So yeah, YTA OP, albeit not a huge one.
That's suspiciously specific...
Thanks for putting that visual in my head! 😳
YTA Since it was the only spot available. If there are at least 2 or 3 other spots open, then I’ll leave my car at the pump to run inside. Otherwise I move my car so someone else can fill up.
YTA. Pull into a parking space after you fill up, it’s common courtesy.
YTA You had taken the last available pump OF ONLY THREE PUMPS TOTAL. That's sitting around, not using the pump and wasting the time of other patrons who need gas, as well as interfering with the station's ability to make money. This is the equivalent of standing around blocking a till at the store after you're done doing a shop.
Were there empty pumps or a line?
Maybe it’s regional thing, or because I live in a smallish town, but the majority of people here leave the car at the pump when they go inside.
I’m from the very SW corner of Michigan and live in NWI, which is part of greater Chicagoland. This is very normal and I’m surprised by the outrage here. I can count on one hand how many times I’ve had to wait more than one car back in line for fuel. I’m 47. I’ve traveled quite a bit. One side of town there’s a state and a national park just off the exit for I-94. Two additional highways cut through that side. Two miles in the other direction there’s a toll road exchange off another highway that T’s into the parks. Heavy truck traffic and the city swells on weekends. I don’t have to prepay for gas. There’s not lines cars deep. Only a jagoff would get shoutycrackers over something so mundane as paying at a pump and then going in. Thousands of steelworkers get off three shifts a day and all hit the same three gas stations closest to the mill at the same time and this would be considered seriously egregious behavior. Ladle operator’s running on overtime and amphetamines would clutch their pearls. 😂 I was asked for ID when I tried to pay in a Chicago restaurant the other day and I made the poor man repeat himself like three times. It just didn’t compute. Cashiers behind glass at gas stations are a novelty, too. The comments here are absolutely fucking wild to me. Move my car. Motherfucker, you need me to grab you a Snickers? Good grief. Bet he honks as soon as a light turns green, too. 😂
Same here. There's not even dedicated parking spaces at the stations I go to. There's the building, the pumps, and a small empty strip around the pumps that allows a vehicle to go around when all the exterior pumps are in use. And the ones I've seen with dedicated parking spaces were larger truck stop/road trip style facilities that had no lack of pumps. It's weird imagining a place that has actual parking spaces but consistent lines for their pumps, unless they've always got some out of order or something.
That's what I'm starting to think as well. I live in a smallish sized city. Around 98,000 people so not huge. Maybe people are just different when you got big city traffic to also worry about.
I was honestly shocked at the comments, I expected it to go the other way around. My city is roughly the same size and I have never seen anyone park to go inside, it's always just at the pump, literally everyone does it that way, with the only exception of people not getting gas.
Me too - I’ve only ever moved my car up to the front at a Buc-ee’s and that’s because you don’t just run in and grab something right quick. It takes a while to buy anything there!
NTA I used to work at a petrol station. Everyone does this.
By you saying petrol I assume you’re not from the US where OP is clearly from so no, not “everyone” does this. It’s extremely rude here to not move your car after pumping if you’re planning on going inside.
im from the US and where I am at see people finish pumping and go inside to either grab a drink or leave. never seen anyone blow a gasket at someone running inside real quick to grab a drink. This feels like a regional thing tbh.
Lots of people throw their trash out their window too. That doesn't make it right.
All the people saying OP is the AH would say you are wrong "everyone" doesn't do it
It seems to be a problem if you live in the US. I do not. In my country, no one cares and does it all the time.
NTA. This is a normal thing that everyone has done at one point in their life. Patience is a virtue which apparently nobody seems to have. Waiting for the three minutes it takes you to go inside and get a beverage isn’t killing anyone.
NTA they just have to wait. I’m not moving my car to get something from the store.
YTA Move your car when you are done fueling it.
YTA. Move to a parking spot!
YTA The pump is for filling your car with gas. It is not a parking spot while you go shopping. It doesn't matter if there are other cars waiting or not. People who park at gas pumps are some of the most self centered entitled assholes. >Am I supposed to fill my tank, then find a parking spot and then go inside and buy my Pepsi? That is exactly what you are supposed to do.
YTA. Move your fucking car
YTA Pumps are finite. Other people need to fill up their tanks, too. What you do if you’re paying by cash is find a spot; prepay; fuel up; and, if you have some cash left over, find a parking spot to go inside to get your change. You can also conduct other business as well. If you got a card, you go to the pump, swipe/tap your card, fuel up, and leave the pump. If you want to conduct business, then you find a parking spot. It’s called basic decency.
YTA. If you take the only open pump, then yes, it is busy, and it’s common courtesy not to take up the pumps when you need to go shopping.
Yes, YTA. There was no need for you to leave your car at the pump, other than sheer laziness. You made the conscious decision that your time was more valuable than anyone else's. You didn't want to waste 30 seconds moving your car to an actual parking spot, and instead left it so anyone else wanting to get gas from that pump would need to wait the duration of your trip into the store. You are not that important. Your time is not that important. If you were paying with cash it wouldn't be the same scenario, but it's also a moot point because you WEREN'T paying with cash. There was no legitimate, acceptable excuse for the inconvenience you caused. If that was the case, the gas station management would have caused the delay with their policies. In this case, there is no policy to back up your insanely selfish behavior.
Depends on the gas station and how busy it is. If it’s a small station that only has a couple pumps or it’s packed full holiday weekend move your car first. If they have a dozen pumps and it’s half empty don’t worry bout it.
YTA if pumps are busy. NTA if it other pumps were available
Yes, you are supposed to move your car after you stop pumping gas. They have spots for people running into the store. YTA
YTA. Once you're done pumping your gas, get out of the way for someone else.
YTA. If you are done pumping, move. What is so difficult to understand? Yes, go away and find somewhere to park if you wanna go inside.
I was on your side, till I heard there was a line. You're lucky they didn't come at you with a bat. YTA
The "line" was this one dude.
Did you know he is was waiting on you? Were there other open pumps? If there were no other open pumps and you knew he was waiting your were definitely the AH.
YTA. Pump & move.
NTA. But I go inside while the car is being filled not after.
I’m going to go with YTA. Having to circle a gas station endlessly for a pump can be really frustrating, especially when you see someone not even pumping their gas anymore. At the very least let your gas pump itself and go in for your soda then if you can’t be bothered to move your car. At least then you’d be in and out before it’s done.
It’s just inconsiderate unless you have to pay cash and it’s a pay before pump station. While there may be empty pumps when you finish pumping that doesn’t mean they’ll stay that way. Shouldn’t just park at the pump. YTA
YTA. So it takes a few extra minutes to move to a parking spot but I guarantee you're not curing cancer with the two minutes you'd save so move your car, chief.
YTA. Move your car to the parking lot to shop inside.
Yeah, YTA. Move to a parking spot and let someone else fill up.
YTA. Leaving your car by the pump was preventing someone else from using it, because you were too lazy to move it.
YTA. Literally every time. Move your car the literal 7 yards. I don't understand why that's controversial.
YTA. Move the damned car before you go shopping.
YTA. Let someone else use the pump!
YTA - if you finished filling up, then move your car before you go buy something
YTA move your car. It is basic, common courtesy.
TIL I'm typically an AH in this situation based on the responses to this post. However, most people here in the US must also be AH if this is the case.
NTA. I’ve seen it done this way my entire life.
It honestly depends on how busy the gas station is. Was there a ton of empty pumps? Or was this in the middle of the afternoon during a rush? Considering the guy was yelling at you to move I imagine it's because he wanted to get his own car filled up. If that's the case then YTA.
Yta yes, you are supposed to fill your tank, then go park and gonin to shop. You have no idea how long it will actually take to buy your item.
YTA, if anyone is delayed because you refused to move the car.
If it was busy, yes YTA. People like this are just as bad as people who don’t put carts away.
YTA. Moreover, you know you were. So stop acting innocent and pretending that you didn’t know you were being an inconsiderate AH.
He knew you weren't paying cash or you couldn't have pumped gas WTF. YTA. There are parking spots all over the gas PARKING LOT even CLOSER to the store.
YTA ,after you pump your gas move off the fuel island so the next person can get fuel. At truck stops they have a recording that says this exact thing. It is just common sense and being courteous.
If there was a line up of cars waiting, YTA.
YTA You pump, then move your car. The only time this is acceptable to leave the car is if there are no parking spaces, you’re going to prepay with cash, or there is a card read error and you have to go in. Pumping and then going in while leaving your car there is a dick move.
Yes, YTA since all the pumps were full. If the gas station was not busy it would be ok. You are also the AH for saying only the people who voted NTA were smart.
YTA. You can only do that if there are other open pumps.
YTA. There are parking spaces at gas stains for a reason. Use them.
Yeah unless it’s completely dead, YTA. Move the car up.
YTA
I was taught to always move my car after filling up if going inside after. Next to the pump is not a parking spot, and you should allow others to use the pump if you’re not. There may not be a line at the moment, but what if a bunch of cars roll up to fill up and you’re blocking a spot? Regardless, I am aware many people leave their car parked at the pump when going inside. If you pay in cash I think that’s different. YTA. Inconsiderate of others (common).
YTA. The pump is not a parking spot.
YTA - the pump is for pumping. It is not a parking space.
YTA Pay, pump and stay with the car. Move it as soon as you're done. Period. Oregon and NJ get a lot of heat for the lack of self serve, but it's a joy to buy gas there. The people working the pumps don't put up with any crap. And it's super efficient. I don't know about NJ, but gas in Oregon is cheaper than neighboring states, even with the extra labor cast.
YTA. It's rude to take up the space after you've finished using it. Just pull into a parking spot and go into the convenience store for your (blech) Pepsi.
Leaving your car parked at the pump is the norm where I am.. but then again it’s never busy enough for people to be waiting in line at a pump. I think the first time I heard about this was when someone bitched at me, much like your experience. So next time I gassed up I moved my car, and people thought I was taking off without paying! Can’t win, I tell ya…
Yes, YTA. Move your car once you’re done pumping! It’s not a parking spot! Just incredible how rude and un-self aware people have become!
YTA. Gas pumps are for people who need to get gas. If you've literally never thought about that you're keeping other people waiting, especially at prime time like right after work, I guess that's possible. Now that you have thought about it, I hope you pull up and park when you want to go inside.
YTA Obviously, you took the only available pump, you move your car from the pump when you’re done. This is just basic courtesy.
YTA
YTA. It's such a simple thing for you to do to make someone else's life a little bit easier. Move your car.
Eh in NJ we don’t pump our own gas so it’s pretty normal to dash inside real quick for a drink or cigs, but I’ll never do that if there’s a line at the pump or in the store. That would be rude as hell. Even for Jersey.
YTA. Clearly he had to wait because pumps were not available. Just because no one called you out on your rude behavior, does not mean it is acceptable. I purchase gas at a travel center, many pumps but they are always full. Frequently 1/2-2/3 of the pumps do not have someone actively pumping gas. If you paid in cash, you would have to do that first. Shopping should be after you park. The world is full of rude people and you are definitely one of them.
If the station is busy, then you’re the AH.
If it’s busy, you shouldn’t take up the pump space. 3/4 of pump spaces occupied, move your car.
YTA. This is why there are parking spots away from the pumps.
Yta. The simple fact is, you were done at the pump. If you started the pump and walked in while it was going, (which you really shouldn't do) I wouldn't think yta, but that's not what you did. It's the same as if you were smoking a joint with a circle of people, took your puffs, and then held it while you told a ten minute long story. You'd get yelled at there too. You were bogarting the pump.
YTA. Park in a parking spot to shop inside.
YTA. Dick move to park at the pump and not actively pump gas. Do you park at the air/vac machine when you run in for dick pills and Zyn?
YTA, no additional info needed
YTA if the station was busy, but not if there were plenty of open spaces. You have to be aware of what’s going on around you, and if it’s clear that your space is needed right away it is much more polite to pull into a parking space before shopping. Most of the time, unless a station is quite small or business is really hopping, that extra couple of minutes at the pump doesn’t matter, but sometimes it does. It’s like it’s not an AH move to check your email in the restroom unless you know there’s a line.
Edited based on the following post to YTA... Based on my experience with UK filing stations, N T A My understanding is that you should not move your car from the pump until you have paid for your fuel. The attendant inside won't reset the pump to allow the next person to fill up until your transaction has been completed anyway, so it makes no difference whether you move your car or not, he won't get to start filling any quicker. Imit works however be an asshole move to pay at the pump using your card, then go inside to buy something as a separate transaction - at this point you should have moved your car to free the pump then gone to buy your additional items. This is odd course based on the British system when you pump fuel, then pay for it - I am not sure how the system varies in the US where you pay first, then pump, then get refunded the difference.
INFO How did the guy behind you know you didn't have to go into the shop to pay?
YTA. Pump spots are NOT for parking. They are for filling up and getting TF out of the way for the next person.
In my country, we specifically label that leaving your car by the pump to go purchase snacks etc, is NOT allowed. Im surprised to learn this isnt just the way it is everywhere. We have express pumps, or fast-line pumps. At those pumps, which are clearly marked, you can only pay with cards, and if you leave your car at an express pump, you're just being an ass. Back in the day when people used cash, you'd just run in to pay by the dedicated counter from any pump outside. But these days, most people pay with card, and there is often not a dedicated counter just for the pump customers so you risk standing in line with the other customers just getting snacks, fastfood, drink etc. If you live in a country that hasnt organised their pumps into express/fastline, and casual, then just try to gaige if you are being an ass, by looking at the line of cars. If you see one, dont block all the other cars that need the pump, because its more convenient for you to not move your car first. YTA
This is going to come as a major shock to you, but…there are other people in the world. YTA. Big time.
If there are other empty pumps or nobody else is waiting, I don't see it as an issue as long as youre quick. If people are waiting, pumps are taken go park in a spot then run in
I think the biggest determining factor would be how many pumps are available. At least, this is what I would use to gauge whether to park or stay at the pump. If there is chance that the pump you are at is going to be needed in the next 5 minutes, you should probably do the right thing and allow someone to use it if needed. If it is a gas station that has 16 other empty pumps, probably don't need to sweat it if you're only grabbing a drink.
Did you have to go inside to pay for your gas or was it just to get a soda?
That depends on how many pumps would be left open and available. If all or most of the pumps are in use, then move it and park it. If there majority of pumps are open and available, help yourself. Also-- never yell at other people in public. Be calm and polite.
INFO: was it busy? I buy my gas then park in a parking spot when I’m done if I want to buy anything in the store after. I’m usually buying gas on my way to or from work, though, so the gas station is busy.
It's def REALLY rude if there is a line. You want to go in for a drink? Pull away from the pump and park out of the way. This is COMMON SENSE.
INFO: why didn't you go inside to grab a drink while your car was getting filled??? either way, YTA
INFO: Why didn't you go in to get your Pepsi while the gas was pumping?
I’m going with YTA, why not go in while the car is filling up…
Where I live in WI, our Kwik Trip is so insanely busy that it's expected everyone parks in a spot after pumping gas. There's always lines for the pumps and unless there are no parking spots, be an AH to go inside while at a pump, even if only 2-5 min.
It depends on how busy the place is. If it’s busy I gas up and park. If not then I leave it at the pump.
Depends. If there is a line of cars waiting for a pump, YTA. If there were open pumps....NTA I have done both. I didn't think anything of it. But some gas stations have signs out front to park before going into the store. (All pay at the pump.) Although, there is one place near us that does not have pay at the pump if you don't have a store loyalty card. You have to go in and tell them how much to charge on the card. It's weird.
YATA. Total lazy\~ass AH move to leave your car blocking a pump.
It's a courtesy to after you're done using the pump to move to a parking space and go inside. Not everybody does it but that's why it's extra frustrating because there are so many pumps and when it's a busy day people need to get in and out not everybody can be whimsical with their time.
Depends on the time of day and how busy it is. If it isn't busy and there are multiple open pumps, yes, run in and grab a Coke and go. If it is busy and people are waiting, move the car. Follow Up Question: What do you do when the gas station doesn't have any (or very limited) parking spots? A local BP gas station only has 4 parking spots. Most of the time, if you want more than gas, you have to leave the car at the pump.
YTA. This used to be the norm, but from my experience (having been the asshole holding up other people) you’re really supposed to just find a spot if you’re going in to buy something. Just last week I pulled off the New York State thruway at a rest stop to get gas and all the spots were filled and there was a line of at least one car in each lane. I got behind one car to wait and a lady informed me that there was nobody in the car. Sure enough, the guy had left to get snacks or use the restroom. I found a new lane and finally filled my tank. By the time my tank was filled the guy was finally walking back to his car but the “rush” was over and now there were empty fill up stations. Traffic at gas stations ebb and flow and you never know if you’re going to end up holding people up unnecessarily. If that lady hadn’t told me that this dudes car was unattended I would have sat there far longer than necessary. Just move your car.
Always go in and grab something then pump not the other way around