I don’t know what to call this.
An annoyance?
A pet peeve?
I don’t know.
The other day I got gas.
As I waited at the pump, I saw a lady come out of the store and begin pumping gas at the pump across from me.
And in the passenger seat sat a guy, kind of slouched down and obviously on his phone.
Now I don’t know their story.
Perhaps it was her car and she was giving him a ride.
They were of an age where the guy in the car was not the child of the woman.
He was a grown ass man at I’d guess the same age as the lady.
It was kind of chilly and a bit windy because it was February.
Now, maybe it’s just me. But shouldn’t the guy be the one pumping the gas?
Maybe it wasn’t his place to be the person paying for the gas.
Like I said, I don’t know the relationship scenario between the man and woman.
But what happened to us as a people?
The FACT that they were in the car together means that this man and woman knew each other.
But it kind of bothered me.
Why didn’t the guy get out and pump the gas?
The currency exchange part of the process had already concluded, the gas was paid for. I can only assume that’s why the lady was exiting the store. But even if she paid at the pump, why didn’t the guy exit the vehicle and be the ‘guy’ and take over the pumping of the gas.
When Lisa and I are together, I pump the gas so she doesn’t have to stand in the elements.
What has happened to us as a people, or as a society?
I’m not talking about chivalry and perhaps she was a very liberated woman and no man tells her she can’t handle this difficult task.
*Side Note 1 – as stated, I do not know the relationship this man and woman have.
But regardless, dude, “GET OUT AND PUMP THE GAS – don’t just sit there on your phone while the lady is outside in the cold and wind pumping the gas”.
Now, you might ask, “Why didn’t you offer to pump the gas for her?”.
Valid question.
My pump was nearing its total that I wanted to pay.
*Side Note 2 – not sure why, but I have this $45 rule. Unless being on a long road trip, I don’t want to put more than $45 in the tank.
After my total it $45.
*Side Note 3 – full transparency, it hit $45.01 – didn’t quit at just that point.
After the $45.01, I briefly considered it, but that would be a very awkward social confrontation.
“Excuse me ma’am, but the guy in the passenger seat either doesn’t respect you as a lady, or value you as a lady. Might I pump the gas for you while you enjoy the warmth of your vehicle?”
Now I’m sure I would have phrased it a little better than that.
I chose to not engage.
So I ask, “Who was in the wrong?”
- The lady for not standing up for herself and asking the guy in the passenger to get out and pump the gas?
- The guy in the passenger for not getting out to pump the gas?
- Me, for not offering?
GUYS – pump the gas for your lady.
Even if it’s just a casual friend or a co-worker, or just a neighbor that is giving you a ride.
Sure, perhaps he had an ankle injury and was physically unable to pump the gas.
Perhaps he was from New Jersey and didn’t know how to operate a self-serve gas pump.
While all of that could have been possible.
DUDES – PUMP THE GAS FOR THE LADIES IN YOUR LIFE.
My Take on Life and Events 