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AIBU?

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Original poster

Petrol forecourt etiquette?

129 replies

LittleMissRayofHope · 10/03/2015 10:36

Is there any?

This morning I dropped dd off at nursery and was in no rush to get home. Needed some fuel so into petrol station and waited for an available pump on the right side for my car.
There were pumps free but they weren't on the side I wanted.
Man drives in behind me and beeps. I didn't move. He beeped again, and I didn't pay notice to it.
He beeps a loooonnnnggg beep and when I didn't move he actually got out, came to my window, tapped and motioned me to wind down my window. I didn't.
He shouted through the window that my car is smaller then his so I should use the other pumps as it will reach round my car. I said I didn't want to risk damaging my car and I was happy to wait.
He said I was out of order as I would be making him late now and I was a 'selfish school run mum' I didn't say anything back although I did call him a wanker when he finally walked off

Now nasty comments aside, there is no forecourt etiquette is there? I was perfectly within my rights and reasonableness to refuse this?? Or should I have rocked damaging my vehicle or looking like a prat if the hose didn't reach as my car was smaller then his??

OP posts:
Goldmandra · 10/03/2015 11:06

I can pull the hose around the back of my Freelander to fill it up very easily without it ever dragging across the paintwork but that's not really the point.

He wanted the convenience of using the pump on the right side but resented you wishing to do the same.

He is an arrogant, entitled twunt. Just be grateful you don't have to live with him Smile

MaxPepsi · 10/03/2015 11:08

Well in that case he's an arse.

I always go to fill up with an expectation of having to wait, if i'm in and out within 10 mins it's a bonus!

lynniep · 10/03/2015 11:08

He is a knobber and I don't think there is any reason you should have to go to a pump you don't want to use.
I ALWAYS use the pump on the correct side of my car. I hate pulling the pump across.
As far as I'm concerned the only etiquette at a petrol station is
a) be polite - don't harrass people by beeping and banging on their doors
b) be as quick as you can
c) wait your turn
d) don't park right in the middle so the car behind you can't get past if they fill up quicker than you.

there are probably more actually...

Springisontheway · 10/03/2015 11:09

It's your choice to wait for the pump you want. You were queuing nicely. He is jerk. An aggressive jerk.

Figster · 10/03/2015 11:14

Totally Yanbu

I have never used the other side on 17 years of driving maybe it's just habit.

HamishBamish · 10/03/2015 11:16

He was being a twat.

There was a queue and you just happened to be in front of him. There's no reason why you should have to use a pump on the 'wrong' side of your car if you don't want to.

Quangle · 10/03/2015 11:16

I always wait for the right side too. Those pumps aren't really designed to be lugged around, I think. Maybe men find it easier but for me it's all a bit awkward.

So he was a twat and a misogynist arse into the bargain. Why are school run mums not as legitimate users of petrol stations as working men? There's always this slight theme that the road belongs to men and women and children are only allowed to use it if they don't cause congestion.

GingerCuddleMonster · 10/03/2015 11:20

yanbu

he was a twat. Congratulations on holding your tongue you are a stronger woman than me he would have felt my wrath.

HappenstanceMarmite · 10/03/2015 11:24

He was BU and arrogant. But I don't see the issue with stretching a rubber hose to the other side either. And I have a big car.

HappenstanceMarmite · 10/03/2015 11:25

Oh...and I am only a wee thing, not built like a brick sh1thouse so unless there is a disability involved (before I get jumped on) then I really don't see a problem.

passmethewineplease · 10/03/2015 11:27

Sounds like an arse.

I wait for pump on the right side to. Every time I try a long pump I end up dragging it along the car and it is just more work.

Could he not of drove round? If not he should suck it up and wait.

Impatient shit.

Mia1415 · 10/03/2015 11:28

Yanbu he was a twat! I would of then deliberately taken ages filling up & browsing around the shop

OddFodd · 10/03/2015 11:29

That's fine Happenstance but it's kind of irrelevant. The aggressive bloke could have stretched the hose. But he didn't want to and neither did the OP. He doesn't get priority over the more convenient pump because he has a bigger car

richthegreatcornholio · 10/03/2015 11:45

He was BU and arrogant. But I don't see the issue with stretching a rubber hose to the other side either. And I have a big car.

It's a problem because if it does touch your paintwork then it can cause damage.

Sparklingbrook · 10/03/2015 11:52

I never stretch the hose round, they don't always reach and then you end up scratching the car.

He was an arse and should mind his own business.

GingerCuddleMonster · 10/03/2015 11:58

the pipes cause fine scratches to paintwork, I wouldn't do it.

cathpip · 10/03/2015 12:05

I can fill my discovery up from the wrong side, but have to park it very close, so yes it will reach but he is still a knob and should of left for work allowing extra time to get petrol!

Rosieliveson · 10/03/2015 12:06

YANBU
How ridiculous that you should use a wrong side pump just so he doesn't have to! What a horrible man Angry

Sunnymeg · 10/03/2015 12:09

I have problems with my arms and can't manoeuvre a heavy hose, but I will always queue behind one particular pump so as not to inconvenience others who may want to get past to use other pumps.

Paintedpinksapphires · 10/03/2015 12:12

Shouting at strangers is very rarely reasonable.

It sounds like a great opportunity for:

"Poor planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine"

Collaborate · 10/03/2015 12:13

The etiquette is that you can wait for whatever pump you like to become available provided you don't prevent anyone from passing you to go to/wait for one of the other pumps.

Also in some of the newer/larger petrol stations you have space to go in front of a car that's being refuelled if the pump in front is empty. IME not enough people do this.

Sparklingbrook · 10/03/2015 12:14

Also don't go to the petrol station at school run/rush hour if you are in a massive hurry.

iLoveMushrooms · 10/03/2015 12:27

Hes a prick, i bet if you were a man he wouldnt if done that

miniavenger · 10/03/2015 18:26

YANBU. The only time getting annoyed is acceptable is if you were blocking the road by refusing to pull in properly to the petrol station and causing a backlog- which does frequently happen at the pumps by me.

miniavenger · 10/03/2015 18:27

And I find these men are 'rave enough' to approach and harass you but if you respond in kind or they realise the driver is a man, they soon scarper!