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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

its not difficult to understand that you can fill up the car from either side

147 replies

ljwales · 09/04/2015 17:50

Why do so many people not understand this? Just wasted 10mins when running late as there was a huge q despite being free pumps! Sadly I couldn't get to them as other people were blocking.

I've driven vans and you can fill up either side. So there really is no excuse!

OP posts:
GameOfGroans · 09/04/2015 18:46

YANBU. Although if there's a choice is always prefer to use the 'right' side. However I saw something today that made my blood boil! The woman in front of me at a busy station pulled her car into the last available space (on my side) and proceeded to get out of her car and trot off to do her shopping WITHOUT GETTING PETROL! There were free parking spaces just ahead but she chose to block a pump rather than pull into one. Hmm Ahhhh!

Maladicta · 09/04/2015 18:50

Yawn, with something like a new style Sharan it just doesn't work. Shame on me for my 4 dcs who need the extra seats. Maybe a separate rant about population control? Hmm

TurquoiseDress · 09/04/2015 18:53

YABU

I do clearly understand that it is possible to fill up either side.

However I choose not to as it's tricky to pull the hose around, more potential for spillages....just bloody awkward all round.

I'm totally happy to wait until a pump on 'my side' becomes available, people like you are welcome to go ahead and fill up.

It's not due to "being thick" or a lack of understanding- I just do what suits me!

TheWintersmith · 09/04/2015 18:56

Round our way 4 out of the 5 local stations expressly forbid filling from the opposite side, and won't dispense the fuel if you try to do it.

Don't know how common this is, but anyone who only fills up at our local stations certainly be unlikely to think to try

TurquoiseDress · 09/04/2015 18:58

If it's any consolation I almost always pay at the pump so nobody has to have their precious time wasted as I go I and pay at the till.

Nevermind the drivers pissing around in their car before driving off- what about the ones who choose to do their weekly shop while leaving their car parked at the pump!!

Beth2511 · 09/04/2015 19:01

We have a petrol station near us which has long enough hoses to reach around but such narrow spaces that if there is a car at each pump parked perfectly you still cant actually get enough room to get the hose in. Bloody nightmare.

TenerifeSea · 09/04/2015 19:43

YABU. I drive a lot for work and end up filling my car 2-3 times a week. Some of the little country petrol stations have really short hoses. I'm also long term ill and physically disabled but it's not always obvious, so yanking a heavy hose is hard work.

Meh84 · 09/04/2015 19:45

...because I just don't want too

YABU.

WastingMyYoungYears · 09/04/2015 19:47

Oh God, I find it difficult enough to fill it up from the correct side Confused, so YABU.

MissDemelzaCarne · 09/04/2015 19:53

YABU
Some people don't want to. Why do so many people not understand this? Hmm

BackOnPlanetEarth · 09/04/2015 19:55

Maladicta My van is a similar size to yours and I almost never have a problem. You are not trying to get the hoze over the top of your van are you?

Doyouthinktheysaurus · 09/04/2015 19:56

Some pumps don't reach! There's a petrol station in Storrington, West Sussex that the pumps don't reach round big or wide cars.

I tried with my Galaxy and failed and then watched a Jaguar driver fail as well.

I generally don't try now because I make a tit of myself!ni always opt for pay at pump though and I don't hang about.

AlternativeTentacles · 09/04/2015 20:00

I quite like a few minutes waiting time. If you are late OP, don't blame us [that are actually quite good at time management and like a short wait] for your lack of planning. I am normally early to places so I can calmly go about my business without a mad panic at the petrol pump. I usually use it to tidy up the front seat whilst I am waiting, it's the only time it gets done.

DecaffCoffeeAndRollupsPlease · 09/04/2015 20:12

Some people seem to be terrible parkers with poor spacial awareness. I've also seen a garage where it's not allowed and encountered people who think it rude and queue jumping.

DancingHat · 09/04/2015 20:13

It's a Mumnet thing OP! I've seen a few of these threads and they always go the same way as this one. I understand people can choose to fill up whatever side they like and as long as they hold no one else up then fine. But I agree that people should just fill up on whatever side becomes free as despite the litany of excuses on this thread in my considerable petrol station filling up experience I have found with proper car positioning hardly any petrol stations prevent you from filling up on both sides. No car scratching, no nozzles unable to reach holes and no handbags filled with petrol (that's a corker of an unlucky incident!). But I have concluded I am in the Mumsnet minority in believing it's possible.

Rightokthen · 09/04/2015 20:15

I never trust that it will workHmm.
What I hate about petrol stations though is when you are in your car queuing and the person whose car is at the pump has been in the shop for ages. And then they come out with a weeks worth of shopping

TyneTeas · 09/04/2015 20:16

I've heard people who try to use the opposite side get wrong over the tannoy - and I mean properly told off!

Bakeoffcake · 09/04/2015 20:20

ljwales "I don't think there are many people without the strength to pull a pump."

Well you're wrong! I for one can't pull a hose around a car, I've tried and I can't do it. Lots of people on this thread have also said they can't.

I hope this thread has enlightened you.

SprungHasSpring · 09/04/2015 20:29

I have been caught out once at a petrol station near Nottingham that has really short hoses. Very embarrassing having to reverse back and join a different queue. I now only do it at petrol stations where I know that the hoses are long.

BackOnPlanetEarth · 09/04/2015 20:31
.

Grin. Do you think she is a Mumsnetter?

Yournotfeckingserious · 09/04/2015 20:34

I'm glad some people don't use both sides as I can and do so will usually pull up to a free pump straight away.

TinLizzie · 09/04/2015 20:35

YABU. I love the fact that so many people won't use pumps on 'the wrong side'. Leaves all those lovely pumps free for me to use immediately! Grin

TinLizzie · 09/04/2015 20:36

Yournotfeckingserious you beat me to it!!

Sirzy · 09/04/2015 20:36

A would rather wait a few minutes for a pump to come free on the right side than struggle pulling it over.

passmethewineplease · 09/04/2015 20:37

I don't. I wait for my side, it's easier.

aware I'm probably being a bit lazy but not particularly bothered, anything to make my life easier at the minute!

I don't block people though, that's just daft.