"There are countless horrible things happening all over the world and horrible people prospering, but we must never allow them to disturb our equanimity or deflect us from our sacred duty to sabotage and annoy them whenever possible." -Auberon Waugh
If I remember right, most of the gas stations back then had a service bay and a mechanic that could do minor repairs and such on customer's cars. The "full service" checking of oil, wipers, radiator, etc. was probably more of a chance to drum up business for the mechanic, than it was out of concern for the customers.
In fact, also if I remember right, you would occasionally hear rumors of less than reputable employees damaging a fan belt, or otherwise taking advantage of less savvy customers, to separate customers from their money. I guess with everything being self service these days, you don't have to worry about being ripped off that way.
When I was, I believe, about six years old, I had a toy Texaco station made (mostly) out of metal, with a couple of plastic figures of service station attendants. As I recall, it had a "hydraulic" lift in one of the bays. Loved that thing.
I worked as a gas station attendant in high school on saturdays, check oil, tyre pressure, clean windscreens while filling gas ('petrol' we say). Very honest bosses, 2 brothers - now the families don't speak after inheritance fight, sigh.
Bruce: Ugh. I just got back into town after an all-day meeting to settle an estate dispute under a court-ordered mediation meeting. It was ultimately successful, but I think the only guys who were really satisfied were the lawyers.
Yeah I decided to let my brother, his new young wife, and his kids from the ex, fight it out on their own. I've got enough to get by and I feel sorry for them.
If I remember right, most of the gas stations back then had a service bay and a mechanic that could do minor repairs and such on customer's cars. The "full service" checking of oil, wipers, radiator, etc. was probably more of a chance to drum up business for the mechanic, than it was out of concern for the customers.
ReplyDeleteIn fact, also if I remember right, you would occasionally hear rumors of less than reputable employees damaging a fan belt, or otherwise taking advantage of less savvy customers, to separate customers from their money. I guess with everything being self service these days, you don't have to worry about being ripped off that way.
Still, I think the uniforms were cool.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was, I believe, about six years old, I had a toy Texaco station made (mostly) out of metal, with a couple of plastic figures of service station attendants. As I recall, it had a "hydraulic" lift in one of the bays. Loved that thing.
In fact, I believe it was this one
ReplyDeleteI worked as a gas station attendant in high school on saturdays, check oil, tyre pressure, clean windscreens while filling gas ('petrol' we say). Very honest bosses, 2 brothers - now the families don't speak after inheritance fight, sigh.
ReplyDeleteBoy, Paco, you had a service bay, AND a wash bay.
ReplyDeleteYou were quite the antrepan...entrapen...businessman!
I think the word you are lookin' for is "intromanure".
ReplyDeleteBruce: Ugh. I just got back into town after an all-day meeting to settle an estate dispute under a court-ordered mediation meeting. It was ultimately successful, but I think the only guys who were really satisfied were the lawyers.
ReplyDeleteYeah I decided to let my brother, his new young wife, and his kids from the ex, fight it out on their own. I've got enough to get by and I feel sorry for them.
ReplyDelete