~start of story~ I had the opportunity a few weeks ago, to travel to North Carolina. Now, being from the Boston area, the route to NC, took me across the Tappan Zee bridge(some new governor's name now, but will always be the TZ), and down through the state of NJ. I had a need to get gas on the NJ tpk, no big deal, but I realized that the gas stations were not self serve. Fine. On our return trip, we stayed overnight in the northern part of NJ. Upon leaving the next morning, I decided to gas up. I got out of my car, went to the pump and struggled until a man came over, and I realized that non self-serve wasn't just on the NJ tpk, but,everywhere I was still outside when I handed the fellow, with a slight accent, my credit card. I waited and he handed it back to me. I went back into my car and waited. He filled the tank, came to the window with the receipt, but it was in one hand with some cash. He very deliberately took the receipt from the hand with the cash and handed me the receipt. I thanked the fellow and started the car. . Just as i was putting my window up, he points to the cash in his hand and says "tip... tip.... tip". I looked at him with a puzzled look until I understood what he was implying. I said, "a tip.... for something I could do by myself? Nope - sorry." Put the window up and drove away. Now I know just a little, tiny, bit about why one of this site's esteemed(?) members, is moving out of NJ. ~end of story~
Nobody I know of tips any gas attendants in NJ! Many many years ago when I was a kid I recall them cleaning your windows, Mom or Dad use to give them a buck or two but that was many moons ago. That is something I do miss from living in PA, pumping my own gas!
Wow! Never heard of tipping a gas station attendant. How about this WeldrDave? Is it everywhere in that state?
I worked at a Couple gas stations When I was young And we did get tips sometimes but It wasn't expected From everyone and I sure as hell Didn't Beg for it It's a whole different thing nowadays ,I don't think anyone tips for Gas any more
Another fine example of life in New Jerksey............................... It was a Chit hole 32 years ago when I left, and it still is more so than ever today. My sympathy to anyone who has to live there or even has to travel through it.
It was a great day back in January, 1971, when I got out of the service. Packed up our belongings, wife and 4 month old baby son and headed to Wisconsin. The only thing my wife misses about Jersey is the ocean.
My question is, did they give you more money back than what was on the pump screen? If so, did they authorize a transaction amount higher than what was pumped?I'd have an issue with that. Tell them you already tipped the governor with the gas taxes.
Yeah, where else can you sit on the beach and see the medical waste and garbage wash up on it..........................................
Jersey sucked back in the early 70s too huh? LOL. I shouldn't be surprised. I've never had a gas attendant ask for a tip. I'm guessing that's probably one of the few english words the guy knows. I could be wrong but probably not.
My wife grew up at the shore and I remember when we first started dating I would tell her I always see a needle washed up whenever I go to the beach. She didn't believe me. The next 2 times we went I said "hey look, another syringe". I stay out of the water and try to limit my beach visits to the off season.
Full service gas is one of the only good things about NJ. I have never tipped nor been asked to tip the attendant.
No need to bash the entire state. I grew up in Wharton State Forest - the largest state forest east of the Mississippi so I've been told. We share a little island of about 100 acres with a few other land owners that lies completely within the state forest. It's quiet, it's dark, and it sure is a helluva lot different than what most of you are describing. My suggestion the next time you visit is to get off the turnpike especially in the southern part of the state and drive through the Pine Barrens and all of the farmland we have to offer. As far as the needles on the beach, you could blame poor environmental laws and NYC/North Jersey back in the 70's and early 80's. The ocean is much much cleaner now than it was when I was a kid. Two of my favorite Jersey bumper stickers read: "Jersey girls don't pump gas" and "Proud to be a Piney from my nose down to my hiney"
There was a real push back in the 80's but it didn't go through. North Jersey doesn't want to lose our revenue
I spent 4.5 years back in high school/early college working in a gas station/repair shop that had full serve pumps. I bet I cleared $10 in tips the whole time I was there. Always the same elderly ladies, and always around Christmas. Never asked for it. Always cleaned the windows, checked the tires, asked if they wanted the oil checked. If the boss caught you skimping, you better have a good excuse. Full serve at that station was a 25 cent/gallon premium over self serve prices. Granted, that put the full serve price around $1.45/gallon back then but still.... I haven’t seen a full serve pump in upwards of 15-20 years.
The only full serve place I'm aware of is Johnson Oil in Gaylord. Dennis Backwoods Savage may remember the place.
Sure do Dave. Bought gas from him all my years there. He gave us the best price and also did some of our repair work on the trucks. Bought tires from him for quite some time too until I found someone else who could finally beat him and he turned out to be a good one. But Johnson still treated us right and we put a few dollars in his pocket.
Bought a set of tires for the Jeep from them back in June of '09. They're finally needing to be replaced.
