another tipping question: gas stations in NJ

[mikech]

ok, i've seen a number of posts in the past discussing tipping (or not) in various situations; i haven't seen this issue addressed so i'm asking about it, if it's been mentioned before i apologize.

typically, when i get gas i always use self-serve pumps, since it's a lot more expensive for full-serve. the problem, however, is that in the state of nj ALL pumps at ALL gas stations are full-serve, by law. i think i've read somewhere that this is also the case in oregon, i'm not sure. anyway, i drive to atlantic city on a pretty regular basis, so i often have to fill up on gas in jersey.

my question is: given that i have no choice of pumping my own gas there, is there an expectation that i tip the attendant? i assume that he gets paid an hourly wage for his job, is that correct? if i'm supposed to tip, how much should i tip?

[mason55]

When I have to fill up in NJ I don't tip. My thought has always been that if they're not giving me the option then I'm not going to tip.

Think about normal tipping occupations. It's all stuff that you could do yourself but choose to have someone else do. Instead of eating out you can cook in. Instead of ordering delivery you can cook for yourself. Instead of valet you can park your own car. But if I'm in NJ and need gas I have no option.

[mikech]

[ QUOTE ]
My thought has always been that if they're not giving me the option then I'm not going to tip.

[/ QUOTE ]
that's kind of the way i've felt about it too. tipping is generally something you give for someone performing sort of a luxury service for you that you could've done for yourself otherwise, but in nj you can't pump your own gas.

however, when it's the middle of the winter and it's 10 degrees out and those guys are standing out there pumping gas, i feel like a schmuck if i don't give 'em a buck or two.

all I know is in Texas we pump our own damn gas

[MikeNaked]

[ QUOTE ]
all I know is in Texas we pump our own damn gas

[/ QUOTE ]

Texas: usually the only thing people from Texas know.

In Oregon, it's all full-serve too. I have a regular guy who I go to for gas who's really friendly and knows me well. He get a buck per tank. Otherwise when I go other places, unless it's really gross weather, they just get a thanks and a wave.

Edit for clarity.

[bwana devil]

[ QUOTE ]


Texas: usually the only thing people from Texas know.

In Oregon, it's all full-serve too. I have a regular guy who I go to for gas who's really friendly and knows me well. He get a buck per tank. Otherwise, unless it's really gross weather, they just get a thanks and a wave.

[/ QUOTE ]

am i reading right? if the weather's nice he gets a tip. bad weather he gets the shaft. huh?

[wonderwes]

[ QUOTE ]
all I know is in Texas we pump our own damn gas

[/ QUOTE ]

Right on. Gas even though it has come down a lot, is still costly. Just seems silly to tip for that.

[bwana devil]

can we get this posted as a sticky? [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]



http://www.findalink.net/tippingetiquette.php

i say it sarcastically but there's actually a lot of good info in the link.

[RustedCorpse]

This is seriously my biggest pet peeve on the east coast. I want to pump my own gas. I like to pump my own gas, I like to get out and streach and stuff. If you don't give me the choice to pump my own gas I'm not tipping. Now if for some reason I'm in another state and I have someone pump my gas by choice then I'll tip.

(Sidenote: My roomate's girlfriend, despite being a spoiled brat in many aspects, didn't know how to pump her own gas till 24 when we were all driving to VA this is why self service is a good thing)

[ChipWrecked]

I didn't know about Oregon until I was trying to gas up a rental car on the way to PDX. I thought the guy was going to knock me out. "You're in Oregon, now."

Wow, state sanctioned [censored] jobs. I'll pass, thanks.