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PaperclipPerfector  5d ago (text post)   2697 thread views

Friday Fun Thread for July 17, 2026

Be advised: this thread is not for serious in-depth discussion of weighty topics (we have a link for that), this thread is not for anything Culture War related. This thread is for Fun. You got jokes? Share 'em. You got silly questions? Ask 'em.

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As much as I try, I still can't get my head around the mindset of people that insist the government absolutely must prohibit them from filling their own car with gas, and only permit it to highly trained professionals (because all available evidence suggests filling up a car carries a deathly risk and requires very extensive professional expertise to accomplish).

As much as I try, I still can't get my head around the mindset of people that insist the government absolutely must prohibit them from filling their own car with gas, and only permit it to highly trained professionals (because all available evidence suggests filling up a car carries a deathly risk and requires very extensive professional expertise to accomplish).

In practice, as far as I can tell, the law isn't enforced. In the sense that if you are in a hurry you can typically pump your own gas and you won't be arrested or stopped or anything. So the practical effect of the law is that everyone has the option of having their gas pumped for them. If you are elderly; or dressed up; or it's a very cold day; etc. and you don't mind waiting a few extra minutes. Gas is relatively inexpensive in New Jersey compared to other states in the Northeast. So I think on balance people are okay with the status quo.

I think peoples' attitudes might change if (1) people were actually prevented from pumping their own gas; and (2) the price of gas in New Jersey caught up with the price in Pennsylvania or New York. (Keep in mind that the vast majority of people in New Jersey live near NYC or Philadelphia.) But absent that, the perception is that people in New Jersey are getting a good deal: The option of full service gas at a lower price.

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