I worked as a gas attendant (petroleum distribution engineer) for 3 years at the Interlake Co-op Gas Bar in Arborg, Manitoba. The town is quite small, only about 1,300 in the town, but counting all the people in the surrounding area, there is around 10,000. The Gas Bar was the only gas station in town. Needless to say, it was pretty busy.
Basically, my duty was to put gas in all the vehicles that came up to the pumps. When it’s -30 and it’s 7 a.m., who wants to go stand outside for 5 minutes, while standing still and watching little numbers go up? I hated it. Sure, they gave me ski pants, gloves, a parka, toque, and boots, but even though they look really warm, it’s not. Co-op clothing doesn’t maintain warmth whatsoever.
Lots of people were sympathetic when the elements were bad, I won’t deny that, but there were also a lot of people who didn’t appreciate it at all. The conversation would go like this. Me-“Hi there ma’am, how much gas could I get for you today?” “Fill it,” she says as she steps out of her gigantic SUV without even looking in my direction. The second she steps out of her vehicle, she is already heading directly to the store. Why say thank you? This kid pumping gas is a no body.
Out of my entire 3 years, I was tipped twice, and once was with a chocolate bar that was on sale for 50 cents. The one time I was tipped a loonie, the woman couldn’t have been more kind. It was the fall, so it wasn’t too cold outside, and her vehicle was filthy from top to bottom. I asked her how much she wanted and she politely responded and ended off with a please and thank you. I washed every window on her vehicle and all the lights. She came out and stopped in awe at the site of her vehicle. “OH MY GOD!” I never knew that a squeegee could bring so much joy to one person. She told me how grateful she was for what I did and in turn, she presented me with a loonie. She claimed that she would have given me more, but she didn’t have any more change on her.
I was so happy with the tip that I was a complete gentleman the entire day. Every person who came to the Gas Bar got 110% out of Jordan Johanson. That was one day out of three years. The other 1067 days, I was miserable. Let’s just say, it was a true half-assed effort, with me giving about 50% on a good day.
So the next time you complain about your gas jockey giving you bad service, just give him a dollar, you’ll make him or her happy for the rest of the day. If you don’t have a loonie on you, show your appreciation. Say thank you and give them a smile, they deserve it.
Definitely give props to people who have outdoor jobs in the Manitoba cold
ReplyDeleteI tipped a guy at the Co-Op on Taylor and Pembina one winter a few years ago when the cold was simply inhuman. He was surprised and really appreciated the gesture. The tips we don't want to give for poor restaurant service should go to those who freeze while keeping us rolling down the road.
ReplyDeleteI can't recall ever having had bad service at a gas station, but I think that's because I (hopefully) come off as a pretty happy person myself. If the attendants are busy I'll fill my own tank and wash my own windshields, and I always say "please," "thank you", and "have a great day." :) I know it's a demanding and often thankless job, so I try to be as cheerful as possible, even if I don't have any cash on me for a tip (which is almost all the time, I rarely carry cash).
ReplyDeleteAwe, poor Jordan the gas jockey! At least you got a dollar! It really doesn't sound like much. And that job is pretty laborious, tedious and freezing, especially here.
ReplyDeleteI just might tip my gas jockey next time I see one.
Though, it think the reason most people don't tip is because it's not considered socially normal, and then the fact that gas is so pricey as is, most people would probably never think about it.