View Full Version : Annoying or just a PMT moment?
Redruth
04-Oct-2005, 18:53
Petrol light came on as I left college this evening. First available petrol station Total. I'd filled up twice with them over the weekend. Thought I'd try the 'special' extremo something or other unleaded as I'm at Brands Tomorrow. Went in to pay and waited by a till whilst the shop assistant proceeded to ignore me. Saw me but then turned round to stack shelves!
So I moved to the other till, where that assistant pointed to the gentleman behind me as his next customer. I stepped forward, as the gentleman indicated I was ahead of him. The till operator then tapped his head and said
'Take that off please. Helmets not allowed in here'
to which I replied
'You're joking. I've been riding for 11 years and never been asked to remove my lid in a petrol station.'
2nd till operator (the one who'd ignored me at the other till) 'There's a sign on the door'
Me 'if you're insisting I take it off I won't come here again'
1st till operator '£12.98 please'
I left, checked the door - at the very top there's a picture of a helmet with a line through it.
And it wasn't until I was half way home that it occurred to me I'd probably paid about £2 over the odds for the petrol
:mad::mad::mad::mad: Hope the fuel proves to be supersonic tomorrow, otherwise I'll be writing letters of complaint :mad:
Surely, if you offer to pay, and they decline to accept payment due to you wearing legally required protective headgear, then you can quite legitimately leave at that point, having made reasonable effort to pay for the fuel?
Tescos have similar policy - I turn up on a few grands worth of bike and 4rsey bird behind counter says "in future take your helmet off". Me:"No, if you want my money take it, if not, your loss" meanwhile, thievin' yoof fills up and drives off. Who should she trust now then?
Needless to say, never shopped there since.
Redruth
04-Oct-2005, 19:00
Good point Mr S, but it didn't occur to me not to pay, just to boycott them in future. Sadly, being a biker hasn't turned me into as much of a rebel as people seem to think.
electricsheep
04-Oct-2005, 19:02
this is getting quite common, usually they won't turn on the pump until you have taken off your lid. it's a pain, but i can't get worked up about it.
Don't see the problem my self..... were you having a bad hair day Ruthie?
philthy
04-Oct-2005, 19:05
Acting as devils advocate I can see where they are coming from with the obvious security aspect, however rather than ignore you it would have been better if they had explained their position straight away.
Comes down to customer service issues which have been covered in other threads recently.
Of course you could have said you are a muslim and are not allowed to remove your headwear in a public place ;):D
[Edited on 4-10-2005 by philthy]
[Edited on 4-10-2005 by philthy]
I'm trying to be a little mroe selective in what things I allow to wind me up these days. Otherwise I'd have blown a fuse by now and gone postal.
At least I'd be on the front page of the paper then :) Anyone know where I can get my hands on something with a short overall length, high cyclic rate of fire, large magazine and takes at least 5.56mm ammunition preferable 7.62mm?
:lol:
Originally posted by TP
At least I'd be on the front page of the paper then :) Anyone know where I can get my hands on something with a short overall length, high cyclic rate of fire, large magazine and takes at least 5.56mm ammunition preferable 7.62mm?
:lol:
Yeah, there's my ex-girlfriend, will she do ya?
:lol:
Originally posted by Loz
Originally posted by TP
At least I'd be on the front page of the paper then :) Anyone know where I can get my hands on something with a short overall length, high cyclic rate of fire, large magazine and takes at least 5.56mm ammunition preferable 7.62mm?
:lol:
Yeah, there's my ex-girlfriend, will she do ya?
:lol:
I forgot to mention that it must weigh under 5kg's fully loaded!
Something like this the SP5?
Originally posted by TP
I forgot to mention that it must weigh under 5kg's fully loaded!
Something like this the SP5?
She was over 5kg, I think, and rarely fully loaded. Sorry
GsxrAge
04-Oct-2005, 19:48
All the fuel companies got together about 2 weeks ago and made the decision to all ban Helmets in the garages. This is also supposed to apply to hoodies and base ball caps.
I think we all need to have a big ride out and spend the day visiting garages and blocking up all the pumps and then taking our time to remove are lids and paying :mad::mad::mad:
I have read about this many times in MCN & mags but have not been asked to take my helmet off yet. Maybe it has something to do with how many times a garage has been asked to hand over the takings by some motorbike riding thugs. IMHO and having worked behind the counter of a filling station a few years ago I have every sympathy with the staff behind the counter and if I am asked to remove my lid I would graciously do so. It sounds like the staff at the filling station could do with some training or an education in manners.
Originally posted by philthy
Of course you could have said you are a muslim and are not allowed to remove your headwear in a public place ;):D
HAHAHAHAH im gonna try that 1 !!!
/ian
The way I see it don't let the *******s wind you up , thats the first thing.
second be as awkward as possible, don't move the bike ,get to the counter then take off the gloves and then your helmet.:devil::flame:
Or like me use somewhere else;)
anyway women don't suffer from PMT men DO :lol::lol::lol:(sorry Ruth:P)
i have had this a few times
i find it helps to shout very loudly
"SORRY LOVE CANT ERE YOU GOT ME HELMET ON"
while waving the payment at them.
they usually give up in the end
though it once took nearly three minutes and i was starting to get a sore throat:lol::devil:
Bet they wouldn't dare say anything!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/coventry/features/fesitvals/images/muslim-veil-150.jpg
rockhopper
04-Oct-2005, 21:30
I have to say that i think its simply good manners to take your helmet off if your going to speak to someone, just like i always take my sun glasses off if i go and talk to someone (unless they are my prescription ones..).
Can't see the problem here I'm afraid.
Originally posted by rockhopper
I have to say that i think its simply good manners to take your helmet off if your going to speak to someone, just like i always take my sun glasses off if i go and talk to someone (unless they are my prescription ones..).
Can't see the problem here I'm afraid.
Ok what are the reasons Why Petrol stations want us to take off our crash helmets.one thing is for sure it's not out of politeness.
and i do see the problem.
Henners
04-Oct-2005, 21:47
Originally posted by Redruth
Annoying or just a PMT moment?
... oh noooooooooooo :o Tell me you not premenstrual Ruthie - we're in the same group tomorrow at TA5 :o:o
and after all that, unless you've had the bike set up and the compression wound up a few clicks, the super dooper fuel probably won't make a blind bit of difference :lol: ;)
rockhopper
04-Oct-2005, 21:50
I couldn't care less why they want me to take it off. Like i said, i do it becasue its good manners. End of.
Dementor
04-Oct-2005, 22:00
As Age996 said "All the fuel companies got together about 2 weeks ago and made the decision to all ban Helmets in the garages. This is also supposed to apply to hoodies and base ball caps." but the reason given was to ensure that they don't sell petrol to anyone under 16, however as you had already put the petrol in your bike they had already supplied it to you, so that's that excuse gone. how about, make sure you have got the right money and just leave it in front of the counter, can't say you haven't paid for it. Although what they have also said is that they are not going to turn the pump on until you take your helmet off, then we will be **********
:mad:
Will watch out for the Supersonic effect tomorrow Ruth;)
The Problem is
This country has forgot
Rule one
Customers make paydays possible.(Treat them with respect) if you still want a job:cool:
Rule 2
Tell them that the fact you are waving cash/card at them it shows your intention to pay! not Rob them
:cool:
Rule 3
Ask petrol companies to provide a BIKE Petrol pump at every station, one thats not covered in Diesel and one where the floor is anti slip:cool:
anyway come the Revolution Madmax whoops Madmav wil have the have THE FUEL TANKER:lol:
to55ers!!
Originally posted by rockhopper
I couldn't care less why they want me to take it off. Like i said, i do it becasue its good manners. End of.
Have it your own way. But I think you would have a good case it being against your human rights;)
Redruth
04-Oct-2005, 22:06
Interesting comments. Thanks. I just think part of being on a bike is the convenience of it all, which you start to lose when you have to faff about with taking lids off for a transaction that has usually only taken moments to complete.
As it happened, I was wearing glasses which are fiddly to take on an off with a helmet but it was the surprise at being asked for the first time ever. Petrol stations were one of the last bastions of places where cashiers seemed pleased to have me as a customer with my lid on.
If it's going to become common practice, obviously, I shall comply, but I'll also take my time and keep people waiting. Why should they get the benefit of me hurrying when it's actually an inconvenience for me. I'm usually carrying gloves, my purse, my tank bag, maybe a pint of milk or a mars bar I've picked up to buy, all of which would have to be deposited whilst I take my helmet off. Not the floor, so maybe the counter? Or I take it off before I put the petrol in and carry it with me, my tank bag, my purse, in which case I wouldn't have free hands to buy anything ... OK, I'm definitely pre-menstrual. Sorry Henners ;)
[Edited on 4-10-2005 by Redruth]
rcgbob44
04-Oct-2005, 22:11
I filled up at a shell station on sunday and the chap behind the counter was extreemly polite and said that in the future i would probably be asked to remove my helmet and that they had put a sign on the door, being a shorty and the notice was at high level i did not notice.
However, he went on to say i was ok as I was on an expensive machine!.
By the way, I drove to brighton, down the M23 , for a cuppa on Madera Drive, only to find it shut of to all traffic as it was some sort of Land Rover meeting. So I turned around, went back up the M23, peeled of onto the M25 and turned of to Reigate and then went to Newlands Corner anly seeing one Duke, a numptystrada at newlands.
Where were you all on such a fantastic morning?
Henners
04-Oct-2005, 22:11
http://despair.com/ap24x30prin.html
Originally posted by Redruth
OK, I'm definitely pre-menstrual. Sorry Henners
... it's OK Ruthie .... so am I :o;)
Redruth
04-Oct-2005, 22:24
Originally posted by Henners
http://despair.com/ap24x30prin.html
Originally posted by Redruth
OK, I'm definitely pre-menstrual. Sorry Henners
... it's OK Ruthie .... so am I :o;)
I saw that when you first posted it, Henry. Made me chuckle then too.
Marko, let's test the water on Sunday when we go up to Cadwell. I'll refuse to take my helmet off and you can step in and defend me when they get stroppy :devil::devil:
Chief, bad hair days are every day I wear a helmet :lol::lol:
I'm mellowing on this now. I'll do what I do when I go into small shops, I'll ASK if I need to take my helmet off. 99 times out of 99, they say no.
As far as the placement of the sign was concerned, if I had been 7 foot tall and NOT wearing a helmet, it may have been visible had I looked upwards. Not terribly obvious. Make a rule, make it obvious, if you don't, expect if to get broken. :frog::devil:
[Edited on 4-10-2005 by Redruth]
We'll be in Lincolnshire Ruth they don't care as long as you don't have Cow
**** on your shoes, in fact they won't care if you have:lol: just happy to sell the petrol:lol:
Go back to same garage, fill bike up with exactly £10. Have correct money ready, when they get stroppy, place £10 on counter.
Raise hand and give the Archers salute.
Leave.
I had someone refuse to turn the pump on before I went in and prepaid for the fuel......after a lot of effing and blinding I paid 10 pounds and filled the bike up to 10.01p. I then insisted on putting the 1 pence on the card.
I understand that there are some scooter kids that don't pay, but me in suit.....give it a rest....I believe that some petrol attendants are flexing their authority bicep.
Sod them, let's face it they must be bored sensless working in a petrol station, they are probably entertaining themselves.
As for the helmet thing, I understand why they ask people to do it and if they want you to take your helmet off then fine. But to ignore you and be a general p.i.t.a about it is just unpleasant.
I like to take my lid off whenever I stop and it is getting mankie!!!!:barfy:
:eureka:
If taking your helmet is annoying why not fill up at a filling station with pay at the pump facility, there are only two in Salisbury but I use them in preference to paying in the kiosk anyway.
Of course thats fine unless you want to buy something else.:burn:
sparkin
05-Oct-2005, 00:01
How about this then,stopped at the 24hr garage at about 6.45am on the morning of the BHC Autumn rideout,unlocked the fuel cap,started to fill,got about 5litres in and the pump stopped:puzzled:Then I heard over the tannoy"can you get off your bike please,no filling your bike while you`re sitting on it please"I then put the nozzle back in the holder and stopped filling:flame:Paid for the 5litres(without removing my helmet)and made my way,could have easily put another 5-7litres in but thought "stuff`em"
This is the second time this has happened at the same garage,I now boycott that garage.
i dont understand why they wont you to remove your helmet any way
i mean if your there to rob them
you aint gunna be put off by them saying please remove your helmet!!
and if you aint gunna rob um why day wunna see your face for any way
perves
a lot of fuss about nothing.:puzzled:
Tantrum992
05-Oct-2005, 09:10
Originally posted by sparkin
How about this then,stopped at the 24hr garage at about 6.45am on the morning of the BHC Autumn rideout,unlocked the fuel cap,started to fill,got about 5litres in and the pump stopped:puzzled:Then I heard over the tannoy"can you get off your bike please,no filling your bike while you`re sitting on it please"I then put the nozzle back in the holder and stopped filling:flame:Paid for the 5litres(without removing my helmet)and made my way,could have easily put another 5-7litres in but thought "stuff`em"
This is the second time this has happened at the same garage,I now boycott that garage.
They did explain to us that the reason for having to get of our bikes was some fire regulation laid down by the fire brigade and apparently was for our saftey :puzzled: yeh right, well surely for the same reason we can no doubt expectect to see lots of people milling around on the forecourt because they had to get out of the car whilst it was being filled by the driver, aint gonna happen is it !!!, and as for having to remove my helmet :flame: dont get me wrong i am not a racist but i dont suppose there gonna upset the muslim communitys by asking there women to remove there yashmacks ( or what ever it is the ******* call them ) when they want to fill up with fuel.
******* Nazi's.......:mad::mad: Well thats my rant over with, its not going to change a thing though as they will just not give me any fuel, so all i will do is **** as many people off as possible by taken half an hour at the pump.
I was amused when I read the article about the petrol suppliers wanting you to remove your helmet/cap/hoodie so they can check you are over 16. Like, you are likely to be riding or driving anything when you're under 16? And I suppose they are expert at determining age by looking at you!
I'm with Paul on this though, I always remove my helmet anyway because I prefer to. I either carry it on my arm if it's busy, or leave it hanging on a rear footpeg if no one else around - which is what I do with it while filling up. Those rear pegs had to be useful for something!
Anyone ever been caught out by one of the stations that have number plate reading cameras that won't turn the pump on (automatically) until it has read your (non existent) front plate? Motorway services often have them.
[Edited on 5-10-2005 by HW]
uncle porry
05-Oct-2005, 09:43
Originally posted by marko
Originally posted by rockhopper
I couldn't care less why they want me to take it off. Like i said, i do it becasue its good manners. End of.
Have it your own way. But I think you would have a good case it being against your human rights;)
human rights have been cancelled. unless of course you entered the country illegally recently, in a shipping container.
psychlist
05-Oct-2005, 20:17
Sainsbury's (usually one of the cheapest for petrol round here anyway) have said they won't be asking motorcyclists to remove there helmets, there was one other supermarket that I can't remember said they wouldn't inconvenience their customers that way either :eureka:
Originally posted by TP
Anyone know where I can get my hands on something with a short overall length, high cyclic rate of fire, large magazine and takes at least 5.56mm ammunition preferable 7.62mm?
:lol:
Yes.
.50 cal as well, but if your shoulder's as fragile as the rest of you, forget it.
Originally posted by uncle porry
human rights have been cancelled. unless of course you entered the country illegally recently, in a shipping container.
:lol::lol::lol:
I'd have just taken my lid off, doesn't take a second does it.
I'm sorry but I feel quite strongly about this, your right it doesn't take that long to take your helmet off, about 5 mins by the time we've dropped our ear plugs found some where to balance our glasses,lost our keys and forgot which pocket we put our wallet in.
But the fact of the mater is WHY should a committee of mindless, faceless Morons make a decision that only effects us because if it effected them, it would have never been made.
So what I shall do is use other Garages where ever possible:mad:
It's a shame we can't tell them to Poke there petrol but alas like many things they have us by the Knads again:frog:
Tantrum992
06-Oct-2005, 08:58
I found a way around the problem, im going to change religion and where a turban, that way i dont have to where a helmet in the first place because that would be against my human rights and my religion to be forced to where one..........!
Redruth
06-Oct-2005, 10:32
Originally posted by HW
And I suppose they are expert at determining age by looking at you!
[Edited on 5-10-2005 by HW]
There's another good reason I should keep my lid on. We ladies like to keep our age a secret. :lol::lol:
Marko, I'm glad you feel strongly about this. I'm all for boycotts. I've got dozens going on. Have had for years. Yes it can inconvenience me at times but it's the principle.
Glad to hear Sainsburys, my preferred supermarket, are being sensible.
I filled up twice at the garage near Brands yesterday, kept my lid on, and they were very friendly, having a joke with me and Brent in the evening who was there at the same time. And in the morning and evening a lot of the DSCers who rode down no doubt spend a few hundred quid there. Now there's a garage that's likely NOT to be upsetting its customers! :roll::roll::devil:
For the past 5 years I've been wearing a flip-up helmet and nobody has asked me to remove it yet. It will be interesting to see if they try to apply the same ruling to me while I'm wearing it.
A couple of times over the years I have had them refuse to turn the pump on unless I removed my helmet. I just rode off and fueled up elsewhere, of course that isn't always possible if you're out of petrol in the middle of nowhere.
As said above, it's such a hassle with gloves, helmet, specs, earplugs, wallet an so on. If this becomes common place it's best to cause as much inconvenience for everyone else as possible.
I used to do this on the Tay Bridge when it had tolls for bikes. Stop at the toll booth, kill the engine, get off the bike and put it on the stand, pull off gloves, unzip jacket, get out wallet, hand over a pound so that they have to give you change, fumble about puting the change in a pocket, zip the jacket up again, gloves back on again, bike off the stand, bring it up to compression, ease it over with the valve lifter then kick it over and it into life, slip it into gear and drive away (I rode a Gold Star in those days).
Eventually the tolls were dropped for bikes because the were more bother than they were worth. I can't say it was because of me but I certainly contributed:D
Redruth
06-Oct-2005, 12:16
Nice one Derek :lol: I went over Dartford Bridge for the first time in ages when I went to the 4th July Brands day. I'd forgotten it was free for bikers so I pulled over before the toll gate to get £1 out. Usual faffing with gloves, tank bag, etc etc. A van driver wound his window down and told me it was free just as I'd got my money out. My fault for not looking at the signs properly as I approached but again, they are high up and I hate taking my eyes off the road when I'm in heavy traffic.
dickieducati
06-Oct-2005, 12:26
have never been asked to remove my lid, but if i am. i am likely to just put my 10 quid on the counter and leave.
really cant be arsed to chuff about with such trivial matters.
these people need to get a grip on reality.
I'm sure the dropping of the charge for motorcycles on the Dartford crossing was because of the time taken thing. They learn it could be a problem when Superbikes got really big-123,000 people at brands, most of them on bikes, and probably 40% of them coming over the crossing. Thats 49,200 bikers all turning off their engines, taking off their gloves, opening jacket to get wallet out-the traffic jams were legendary. They now let bikes through for free, but they still haven't got it right as they make each bike stop and wait for the barrier-singly. In France bikes are free on the autoroutes during major biking events and they just cone off a lane at the toll booths for bikes only-sorted.
John
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