(Some) Oregonians (Might) Have To Pump Their Own Gas Now
Start writing a post
Politics

(Some) Oregonians (Might) Have To Pump Their Own Gas Now

Oh, the humanity. I’m very (not) serious.

70
(Some) Oregonians (Might) Have To Pump Their Own Gas Now
All State

2018: for many, it was to symbolize hope; a new year that held the potential for positive changes. On January 1st however, Oregonians were greeted with a cruel surprise.

The new year brought with it a new law that allowed counties with less than 40,000 residents to pump their own gas. For those unfamiliar with Oregon’s and New Jersey’s strange policy, neither state had previously allowed people to pump their own gas; instead, attendants would be at every station to pump the gas for drivers. After this new law, only New Jersey now holds such a policy.

The Washington Post highlights a post by a local TV station that asked Oregonians to react to the new law. This post resulted in some residents voicing their complaints of not knowing how to pump their own gas, having to smell like gas now and the difficulty that the disabled would now have in putting in their own gas.

The post by the station also resulted in many people from around the country making fun of some of these complaints — and I must say, I’m with the rest of the country on this one.

Ever since I moved to Oregon, I have been completely baffled and annoyed with the concept of not being allowed to pump my own gas. It’s not like I have the option to let the attendant do it, no. I’m literally NOT ALLOWED to touch the pump. It’s a waste of time. If the attendant isn’t paying attention (which has happened often) and multiple cars show up at once, I’m sitting there, simply waiting for someone else to do a task I can easily take care of myself. If it’s late at night and there’s no attendant, well then that sucks for you because you can’t pump your own gas.

Pumping one’s own gas is not some incredible skill — literally every other state except New Jersey does it. Besides the fact that it’s easy to learn, what do residents expect to do if they ever go outside of their own bubble of Oregon? Do they plan on never going to any other state (except New Jersey), or do they plan on asking someone else to have to pump their gas for them?

The complaint of smelling like gas only happens if you don’t know how to pump your own gas. It’s really not that hard. Literally just don’t pull the trigger for the gas nozzle if it’s not in the gas tank. Maybe your hands will smell a little bit — just wash your hands then. It’s not a big deal. Get over it.

The only complaint I would give any sort of credence to is the fact that the disabled would have to be required to pump their own gas —- that can be a legitimate concern. However, 48 other states get by just fine with pumping their own gas. Oregon and New Jersey are not the only states with disabled individuals. They either work around it or they simply ask the attendants to help them with their gas.

Regardless of all of this, this law doesn’t even affect most people in Oregon. In fact, the law affects only half the counties in Oregon (the less populated counties of Oregon, which means it isn’t even half the population) and doesn’t require any station to do it — it simply gives a station the option to do so.

The fact that any Oregonians find this to be a big deal is pathetic. It’s a waste of time for people to be discussing this. It’s a ridiculous topic that has no real, serious ramifications.

And yet, people have been and will continue to talk about it. The fact that I’m writing this attests to that.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

55888
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

36027
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

958007
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

187153
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments