We were driving back to Houston from the Texas Hill Country yesterday. As we always do, we stopped at the Bucees in Bastrop to top off the tank and hit the restrooms. I pull over to the fueling island on the far end because it’s easier to enter and exit while pulling a trailer. The pump was occupied, but I was prepared to wait while they fill their tank. As the woman was filling the SUV, her companion exited the passenger side. She hits the key fob to lock the doors and they head inside to shop, nozzle in the tank, completely oblivious to anyone else. I lay on the horn to get their attention and they figure out that I want them to move the car so I can fuel up. They moved it and all was well. After I fueled up I moved to the side of the lot so DW and I could have lunch. We then watched as some guy pulled up to the same pump with a 35 foot pull behind and took his whole family inside, blocking the pumps for at least 20 minutes. Another man pulling a smaller trailer, with much more patience than me, waited behind him the entire time. What has happened to people that they think this is acceptable? This has become a common occurrence at this particular Bucees. Thanks for listening.

I've seen and felt the same problem. I've seen folks park at the pump, go in, shop/whatever, then leave. Never even fuel up, while we wait (towing or not) for a pump to free up.WHY? I agree common courtesy, or what once was, is no longer...be it at the pump or elsewhere.

mckind wrote:What has happened to people that they think this is acceptable?This isn't much different than having to wait in a long dump station lineup while someone else takes their own sweet time emptying and cleaning their tanks, a long lineup of others be damned as far as they're concerned. :M This was one of the very first issues I was determined to solve when we moved from a popup to a full height trailer with waste holding tanks and the reason that for years I've instead serviced my tanks here at the house using a FloJet Waste Macerator pump - no lining up, no waiting for others who feel they have the unalienable right to take as long as they please, the heck with everyone else. Fuel? - now that's a more difficult situation to solve but having a shorter trailer that measures a mere 22' 6" coupler to bumper does make it easier to negotiate tight spaces, including gas stations jammed with other vehicles. ;)

There's just no courtesy or manners anymore. Too many are being raised that turn out totally self-absorbed. Two weeks back, at noon, I pulled in to a convenience store that was overloaded with vehicles at the pumps. I saw a young lady just finishing filling up her tank and pulled around behind her. After getting back in her car (with at least 2 other girlfriends) I wait for her to move. Didn't happen. I gave a brief little beep and pulled up a foot. Nothing happened. Gave a little larger beep and pulled up right on her bumper. Nothing happened. I peered into the passenger compartment and saw that both sunshades were down, the makeup mirrors were lit up and the driver was brushing on blush (?). I finally got out of the car, tapped on her windown and when she rolled it down told her the pumps were full up and asked her to put on her makeup somewhere else. She said OK, buttoned everything back up, pulled away and the back passenger shot me the bird as they exited the parking lot. Geeze, people are raising such little privileged princesses these days.

I just had the same thing happen. A lady had purchased some lotto tickets,came out to her vehicle and proceeded to set there and scratch off her tickets, while I am obviously waiting behind her. She finally exited the vehicle again to go in and purchase some more tickets. Came out and did the same thing. Totally oblivious or does not give a hoot. I don't know which. She looked like a freak. I pulled up against her bumper and laid on the horns. Did not phase her at all. Altogether since I could not back out, I waited over 20 minutes on her to eventually pull off and give me the finger. We have got to clean up that gene pool.

Fueling rant | Good Sam Community

MNGeeks61
Explorer
Oct 13, 2015
2oldman wrote:
Before everyone starts blaming the 'me' generation, better make sure that rude person is not as old as we are.

I will agree with that. Always want to make sure we take out any log in our eyes before we point out the toothpick in others.

But the more I speak and interact with the younger generation, the more I get the impression that they CARE - sure they do - but that they don't actually want to work for a corporation or even themselves. I think they'd prefer it if the gov't just took care of them.

I was definitely raised differently than they were, and I wouldn't want to blame that entire generation (let's say the 16-21 y.o. generation). There are others who are older that can be rude and have similar attitudes.

In general though, I'm sure it's a small percentage of people - it is still very annoying when you do what you feel like is correct, and others just ignore the typical actions.

I'm still going to hold the door open for anyone (guy or gal), I'm still going to smile at folks in my campground regardless of our disagreements, and we all should keep society heading in the right direction by our own actions, God willing.
gbopp
Explorer
Oct 13, 2015
the bear II wrote:
This is what happens when you stop keeping score at T-Ball games, everyone gets a trophy, no discipline at home or school, kids get designer clothes and live at home until their thirties.... everyone feels entitled.

It's their world and we have to live in it !!!

WOW!! I nominate bear II for the post of the year.

Very well said.
p220sigman
Explorer
Oct 13, 2015
I think it is more a general decline in society, than a generational or age thing. Contrary to all of the social media outlets, society in general is less "social" and more self-absorbed. I'm not a big Facebooker, but I see just as many selfies from "kids" as I do from folks my age and older. I also see the rudeness across the age spectrum as well.

Personally, I try to never respond to rude behavior with rude behavior. If anything, I try to be more pleasant and nice. It is like wrestling a pig. You both get dirty and at some point, you realize the pig is enjoying it.

The kids and I have discussions about rude behavior and not thinking about others as you are going about your life. I'm hoping I can at least have them be respectful of others. I guess time will tell if I'm successful.

In a timely fashion, I was behind a driver in the drive thru at a local fast food establishment. When they got to the window and got their food, the driver pulled up about 3 feet and then proceeded to pass the food out and get their child situated in his/her car seat with their food. Of course they are still blocking the window. I just shook my head.
korbe
Explorer
Oct 13, 2015
If I pull up behind an empty vehicle, and if there is still no one there after the gas is done dispensing, I will find the driver and ask them to move. And hopefully he/she had just learned something valuable in life - but probably not.
mckind
Explorer
Oct 13, 2015
korbe wrote:
If I pull up behind an empty vehicle, and if there is still no one there after the gas is done dispensing, I will find the driver and ask them to move. And hopefully he/she had just learned something valuable in life - but probably not.

Commendable but not practical at this Bucees. It's 50,000sf with 50 fuel pumps. You would never find them.
PA12DRVR
Explorer
Oct 13, 2015
"This has become a common occurrence at this particular Bucees."

It has become worse in the past 4? 5? years since they expanded. Counterintuitive given the greater # of spaces and pumps but still seems that way to me.

It seems to be a equivalent decline in the stores across I-10 that only exacerbates the problem at this particular Buc-ee's.
amandasgramma
Explorer
Oct 13, 2015
Now that you brought it up....YES, we've had the same problem!!! The incident that really got my goat was at a "viewpoint" in Utah. We were pulling our rig, BIG lot, with cars to the left and RVs to the right. Had a guy pull in ahead in a rented Class C, and STOPPED right at the "entrance". We couldn't get by and we blocked everyone for both areas! We waited for him to move, he didn't. I finally got out and found him taking pictures and informed him he HAD to move his rig. Yeah, he did, but he gave me such an evil look! HAH....he has NO idea the looks we were giving HIM!
amandasgramma
Explorer
Oct 13, 2015
MNGeeks61 wrote:
It happens even in Minnesota Nice-land...at least most times when it's freezing people get to sit in their warm cars.

However, sometimes the stations are at fault, the Holiday by my house will only do the end pumps if you pay inside, or pay via credit cards. So some people that don't know this will pull up, get out, try to fuel, and then get the "please pre-pay, or pay via credit card on the end pumps", then go inside and do just that.

There isn't a sign that states it, and the last time three years ago I pointed that out, I got a shrug from the employees.
We like (not) the one in Quartzsite that requires you to go in and give them your credit card, go back out to fill up, then go back in to pay and get a receipt. They don't have separate clerk for fuel ups....so you wait for a line each time with people buying food. Been there twice, won't go back
Johnny_H
Explorer
Oct 13, 2015
It is simply because we currently live in the "ME" generation. "I" do what is best for "ME" and everyone else can go suck on a pickle. I like people less now than I used too and it is a real shock when you run in to a person that has manners and chooses to use them.
silvercorvette
Explorer
Oct 13, 2015
I save a small amount of money by having a 120 gallons of fuel in my pick up and filling up where fuel is cheap. but being able to pick and choose stations with easy access and places where it is less crowded is priceless. My range is about 1,700 miles which leaves me many options of where and when to fuel up. You will not save enough money to cover the cost of the pump and tank but I highly recommend it. I didn't have to drill any holes nor did I have to rewire anything. All I do is clip on to the battery when I pump fuel from the AUX tank to the main tank

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