Jumped up petrol stations .... :-/

[UK_Vstrom650]

Not everywhere has pay at the pump (they want you to go in the shop hoping you'll buy something else whilst in there), and those without pay at the pump are all self-service and you still have to go in and pay.

I always use pay at the pump if I can - it's just easier/quicker.

[Barbel Mick]

The petrol station just up the road from me is all pay at the pump with no staff whatsoever (it's also cheaper than the one a few hundred yards closer), so I go there for convenience & save a few pennies. 
I still take my helmet off when go to fill up there!!! 
 

[Hugo Magnus]

In continental Europe the pay at the pump systems are not unified and the instructions are in a foreign language! so given the choice I pay at the till 

[Joe Rocket]

Sorry Hugo Mangus, I'll try to get all foreign countries to display instructions in English...........     

I was refering to the principal or habit of UK petrol stations expecting you to park up, fill up, leave your vehicle (?!?!) to pay and then give your space away to the next customer, which probably takes twice the time to get filled at pay at the pump.

If you want other goods you can go to the kiosk or even the Supermarket........... 

It seems to be a problem produced by the system, otherwise you wouldn't have to take your helmet off. The problem just doesn't arise in France; must be you criminal types in the UK! 

[kwackboy]

Must be France / Belgium that are untrusting so and so's 
Lots of other European countries that I've been to let you fill up like you can in the UK and they don't ask you to remove your helmet

[Joe Rocket]

You have a point about being untrusting kwackboy or just the French/Belgians have got it sorted. Who knows? 

The fact is if you give some folk a chance to fill up and not pay then they'll do just that. Not you, not most people but others will and you have to identify yourself just in case it might be you. If you were in a position to be robbed would you not want to try avoid it?

Just saying. 

[kwackboy]

Great point  however,  being innocent and looked upon as a criminal is wrong.

[Joe Rocket]

Agreed kwackboy! It gets political or religious from there. I won't go there.

Just to make a similar point though with two examples of what is OK somewhere and not elsewhere:

1) There are no plastic bags for sale in French supermarkets and nearly all shops as there are in the UK other than bags for life........

2) France bans use of plastic cutlery and drinking straws but sells millions of plastic bottles of water daily despite having perfectly safe drinking water in all homes....

Just saying. Shame on us all!   

PS We don't buy bottled water......... 

[Rusty Nuts]

Evian
Perrier
Robinet 

[Joe Rocket]

Yes Rusty and we carry our purchases out of the shop or in a trolley and load them into bags in our boot.

Different countries and customs. 

[oslin]

I had that argument with a pump attendant when I refused to take my helmet off and he got the manager out, I said I would be quite happy to take my helmet off if those wearing a burka took those off as I considered it to be discrimination, he agreed and I was served as normal, oddly that is the only time I have ever asked to take my helmet off at a petrol station

[roganjoshing]

Just read this thread and not sure what burkas have to do with anything. I think the beef is with the petrol stations not random, law abiding women.

[Fat Rat]

The point being made was the inconsistency of how a 'rule' is being enforced.

Who says all women who wear Burkas are law abiding?

[roganjoshing]

Still fail to see it. If their rule is they don't serve people wearing helmets, that's up to them. If a night club won't let you in wearing jeans, you wouldn't complain about the unfairness if they let someone in wearing suit trousers.

[Fat Rat]

Surely the Petrol Station is objecting to the riders face being covered, the inconsistency is that one face covering seems OK, the other doesn't (nothing to do with fabric type or style).

[StromGeeza]

Thank god (or other deity of your choice) we have religious freedoms protected by law in this country.
There is no such protection enshrined in law for one to wear your helmet wherever you like once off your bike.

Don't folk think this thread has come too close to the religion/politics/kids thing?

It certainly seems to have given discussion an unpleasant racist undertone.

Let's move on, Hello?

 

[Fat Rat]

I agree we should move on. One point of order though, nobody has referenced any race, merely an example of clothing that just happens to be worn by a particular religious following, therefore there cannot be any suggestion of racism (a word that is used inaccurately far too often).