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Friday, September 20, 2013

I am grateful for some things


My tire pressure warning light came on so I called into a gas station to check on things. I could not get the air hose to work so had to go and ask the man. He told me to put four quarters in the machine and air would happen.
Why did it not occur to me that air would cost something – after all this is America – everything has a price.
Then I discovered that there was no pressure gauge on the hose so I asked the man. He said they did not have a gauge. I said how will I know what the pressure is in the tire. He told me I should have a gauge of my own and no he did not sell them.
The next gas station only charged me three quarters – which is good because the air worked but the gauge was broken. The man behind the counter was not interested in my problems.
The next gas station had a hose and gauge – neither of which worked. On the bright side – it did not cost me anything.  
I came home and ordered a tire pump from Amazon. This will run off my 12 volt outlet in the car. It cost $12 and will be here on Tuesday.
In Vienna they actually had gas stations where the attendant filled up your car and checked the oil. Here the attendant behind his bullet proof glass will not even fart in your general direction.
But – the supermarkets do have excellent grocery packing services - and I am very grateful for these.

7 comments:

  1. I have had 12 volt air pumps for quite a while and gauges too. I think that some parts of the US have a rather low friendliness and helpfulness index, I am not sure about your part of the world. I got a little larger air pump for my truck tires. I also have plastic disposable gloves because diesel pumps are notoriously grimy. I don't know if there is a gas station in my town that has full service. I know in Oregon when I passed through during 2009 you were not allowed to put your own gas in your vehicle.

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  2. When I first moved to Grosse Pointe in the early 90's they were among the very few places that still had full service stations and boy the price reflected it. The old ladies used to call each other with lowest price at the full service stations. Most of those went out of business and sold the very valuable land when the price rose. Now there are very few stations here and all are self serve with coffee stations on the inside and some food products. You can get gas station orange juice and gas station submarine sandwiches.

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  3. "Vienna for Dummies" has been included in the A Sunday Drive for this week. Be assured that I hope this helps to point even more new visitors in your direction.

    http://asthecrackerheadcrumbles.blogspot.com/2013/09/a-sunday-drive_22.html

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  4. A shame they don't fart in the general direction of your tyres really, perhaps you wouldn't need the hose etc? :) You have so much more to blog about over there. I can't keep up. Glad though.

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  5. esb: I had the same experience in Oregon a few years ago. I started to fill my tank and a man came rushing out and yelled at me.

    fmcgmccllc: I am guessing that no one could afford to provide service these days. One of the most difficult things we had to do when we got here was buy gas without a credit card - this is next to impossible.

    Jerry: Thanks you are too kind

    Sandy: This is an astonishing place - and much more exciting that Vienna.

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  6. I remember thinking when I first went to USA that it was fascinating and I could have sat in a mall for hours just watching people or browsing in the shops... and I hate shops and most people!

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  7. Sandy: One certainly does see some amazing things here. I find it truly fascinating.

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