I was looking at a cartoon recently that depicted the old-style service stations from the previous century. This was back in the old days when gas stations were more than just places where you give an arm and a leg and then do all the work yourself. In those days they were full service stations, where you could get a tank of gas, an oil change, a good window cleaning and various other "extras" all at one stop. They would pop the hood and check out your engine, fill the radiator with water, pump up your tires, and practically roll out the red carpet for you, the customer, who brightens their day and fills their pockets with cash.
Those days are long gone. Now there is no such thing as full service, and "self" service is the norm. You get to pay out almost more than your wallet can tolerate AND do all the work yourself. Want the tank filled? Fill it yourself. Want the windshield washed? Wash it yourself. Want the tires pumped with air? There's the tank right over there. Enjoy. The only thing you get handed to you at a gas station today is the key to the restroom, and that's only a definite maybe.
I just barely recall those days when gas station attendants pumped your gas for you, and I wasn't even born yet when they stopped providing full service. By the time I was old enough to drive I was pumping my own gas except for when I stopped at the station across the road from where I live. My neighbors owned and operated it and they would pump the gas. That station was a holdout from the old days gone by and is now closed. Ah, to get service like that again. Remember when a tank of gas was only a dollar? Remember when it was less? Now we pay through the teeth and do all the work ourselves and we'd better do it quickly because there are six other cars waiting.
I guess that's one good reason for the demise of the good old full service stations, too many drivers on the road, all wanting to gas up at the same time. Back when full service was the vogue, there were fewer cars because there were fewer people. Instead of just one neighborhood gas station, we now usually have two or three per block, and typically they will be built right across the street from each other. Not only that, but the stations are all always packed to the gills with cars, and then some people still have a long wait.
Just think. Someday down the road, we will all stop and look back and think about the good old days, when gas was only 2 or 3 bucks a gallon, and we had to pump it ourselves. By then they'll probably have robots doing the work, that will break down every two minutes, creating more trouble than they're worth. We think we have a lot to complain about now, but just wait, I'm sure the best is yet to come.
