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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

just stretch the hose over your sodding car

346 replies

PiperPublickOccurrences · 16/11/2018 14:55

I don't fill the car with fuel that often as it's mainly just used for around time.

Every time I go to the petrol station the access is blocked by people queuing for a pump on the "correct" side of their car.

If I can stretch the hose over my mum-bus people carrier, you can stretch it over your ford fiesta.

Petrol station etiquette should definitely be on the driving test.

OP posts:
ProfessorMoody · 17/11/2018 08:23

Ah, another case of the ableists on Mumsnet saying that it's an "excuse" why we can't do certain things.

I can barely lift the pump on the normal side. I certainly won't be causing myself pain trying to stretch it over the other side. No one knows anyone's circumstances so why judge?

Original poster
PiperPublickOccurrences · 17/11/2018 08:25

Goady, twatty thread.

if you REALLY think this thread falls into that category, then you need to hang out on AIBU more.

Firstly - there may well be petrol stations where you can't manoeuvre the hose around to the opposite side of the car. I haven't come across any. And anyway, my point was that if I can easily manage to get the hose to the "wrong" side of a large vehicle without being a body builder or 7 feet tall, then other drivers of significantly smaller vehicles have no business blocking spare pumps so they can wait for the "right" ones for them.

Just a wee bit of consideration needed.

Also loving the inferences that because I am happy to pull the hose across, my car is therefore a scratched, gravel encrusted, filthy skip.

OP posts:
NotUmbongoUnchained · 17/11/2018 08:36

This is one of the weirdest threads ive ever read. Why don’t you just get a life? Then something like this won’t even register.

FrangipaniBlue · 17/11/2018 08:41

So much judgment on this thread, FML

Why do you even care that other people choose to wait when you're happy to drag the hose over your car? Just drive to the free pump that's on the wrong side of your car and crack on with your day FFS

Bluesheep8 · 17/11/2018 08:44

Like I said, I would if i could. You don't know the reasons why people don't/can't

FrangipaniBlue · 17/11/2018 08:45

"Well, if I can do it, why can't everyone else? How inconsiderate of YOU to hold up MY day"

Because shock horror everyone's different, wouldn't it be a shite world if we were ALL self absorbed absorbed entitled little twats...

VisitorsEntrance · 17/11/2018 08:46

Where is everyone off to in such a tearing hurry anyway? If you can’t wait 5 minutes for someone else to fill up their car then you might need to start thinking about relaxation techniques.

ItsPeanutButterJelly · 17/11/2018 08:49

I agree. I am social awkward and worry all day if I know I have to fill the car up, but I want to get In and out and will happily stretch the hose around. I have a brand new, beautiful (i think) car and I just make sure the hose rests against the rear window. Not a biggy

llangennith · 17/11/2018 08:59

Why doesn't everyone pay at the pump if it's available? Keeps everything moving so much faster.
I can't physically manhandle the hose around my car from the wrong side so I wait patiently.

Barbie222 · 17/11/2018 09:01

I can't because I have a 7 seater, so you'll just have to wait. Leave earlier.

Larasshadow · 17/11/2018 09:02

I use the 'wrong side' to fill up as that queue is usually shorter! Our petrol station actually has signs up to tell you to use both sides.

I've not come across one where it doesn't reach easily and I've never damaged my car or spilled fuel.

Barbie222 · 17/11/2018 09:04

Should add, I once did try to pull the hose over and guess what... it didn't reach! Won't be embarrassing myself like that again.

Mummyoflittledragon · 17/11/2018 09:09

I’m on AIBU a lot actually.

As a disabled person I object to your tone and lack of acknowledgement that it is different for a lot of people.

Just a wee bit of consideration needed. Ohhhh the irony.

Bluesheep8 · 17/11/2018 09:11

mummyoflittledragoncouldn't agree with you more

BakedBeans47 · 17/11/2018 09:13

Jeezo people really will bicker about anything on this website won’t they.

I prefer using the “correct” side but if I can get a free space at the wrong side I’ll use that. If the spaces are all full and I’m queuing anyway I’ll queue for the right side.

Most petrol stations I’ve found have the longer hoses these days. We have a massive estate car and never had a problem using the wrong side hose so am intrigued to know the cars that are too big to move the hose round. Personal preference though and doesn’t bother me either way what people do.

Llongyfarchiadau · 17/11/2018 09:15

If you're driving a hire car (for example) and don't know which side your tank is on, look at the fuel gauge. Most modern cars, if not all, have an icon or arrow to indicate left or right, so you don't accidentally pull up on the wrong side

Just a warning: in my new car, the arrow is present but points in the wrong direction. I suppose that there must be a way to change it, but it probably means that I'll have to read the manual.

busbottom · 17/11/2018 09:18

I have a 7 seater and I do it all the time.

The key is to park close and forward of the pump. No stretching hose over car, but round the back

It's not just pumps that have signs to say 'extra long hoses' either; I think these are a recent thing because people don't fill from both sides. I have been doing it over 20 years and never found a hose that doesn't stretch.

ProfessorMoody · 17/11/2018 09:21

Just a wee bit of consideration needed

Hahaha!! You should go into comedy, OP!

BakedBeans47 · 17/11/2018 09:25

I must admit I am a bit bamboozled by the “cant see the amount I’m putting in” reason.

NotUmbongoUnchained · 17/11/2018 09:27

Why does that bamboozle you??

busbottom · 17/11/2018 09:28

Don't most pumps have buttons to select the amount you want anyway?

I just fill mine when it needs filled so makes no difference, but the majority of modern pumps have options so if you want to put £15 in you set it before you start.

NotUmbongoUnchained · 17/11/2018 09:32

I have never in my entire life seen a pump that will let you do that.

Rayne22 · 17/11/2018 09:32

I like the stations which tell you that the hose is long and can stretch over. I'll happily use the wrong side then.

There was one time though I thought the hose would stretch across the top of my car and it definitely would not. By that point I was stuck with a queue behind me, cars on the other side and it was all a bit awkward. I imagine people queue for a pump on the correct side to avoid that situation.

busbottom · 17/11/2018 09:34

not

Have you never used a supermarket pump?

Do you live in the UK?

wonkylegs · 17/11/2018 09:35

Another person who just can't do it thanks to arthritis but mind you just operating the trigger on the pump is quite difficult for me.
I won't be the one blocking the entrance though as I now drive a PHEV so only need to fill up every couple of months as most of my journeys are completed on the electric and as I can do it at leisure I never go when it's busy.