Gassing up and paying with helmet on?

**saltydog** · 11th March 2009, 11:01

We have a BP here in Whakatane, yep just one. More recently I have been having issues with paying for my gas. There's this old fella in there thats a stickler for protocal and every time a coconut he insists I take my helmet off to pay for my gas, even when it is cash. I've had a gutsful of him.
When I try to tell him to let up he nuts off at me and wants to call the cops. He sees me every 2 or three days, my bike has a very easily remembered personalised plate, I dont have (many) tatoos or a long ZZ-top beard and up until recently I have been a polite biker.
Is it just BP that has this helmet policy like the banks or are any other KB'ers out there getting hassled in a similar way at different service stations?
The last thing you want to do is take your bloody helmet off just to give some geezer a $20 buck note ay?! If I was going to do a runner why would I even bother about coming inside the store? What? Counterfit bank notes I hear you say?
Is this happening to others out there?

**spookytooth** · 11th March 2009, 11:04

If he won't take your cash with your lid on,just thank him very much for the free gas

**Devil** · 11th March 2009, 11:05

I always take my helmet off. It's just polite.
Same as not wearing a hat inside, or taking sunglasses off when you're speaking to someone.

Other stations have that policy and I dont really blame them.

**jim.cox** · 11th March 2009, 11:05

Originally Posted by saltydog

Is this happening to others out there?

The signs are there on almost all, it not all, petrol stations

But I dont normally bother to ditch my lid

And I have never had anyone go off at me, or refuse payment, service etc

Maybe its a Norff Island thing...

**Finn** · 11th March 2009, 11:06

If you're filling up every 2 - 3 days on an R1, then I assume you're doinf a bit of traveling. If that's the case, fill up out of town whenever you can.

**3umph** · 11th March 2009, 11:11

Originally Posted by Devil

I always take my helmet off. It's just polite.
Same as not wearing a hat inside, or taking sunglasses off when you're speaking to someone.

Other stations have that policy and I dont really blame them.

yip agree... I always remove my lid when filling up as its just polite to remove your helmet...

**Kflasher** · 11th March 2009, 11:13

Originally Posted by saltydog

Is this happening to others out there?

Yip at Shell on 15th Ave TGA; have been filling up there for almost 2yrs now.
Always parking in same direction so plat is facing attendant, and like you it is personalised plate, until recently when I had filled up walked inside as per the norm and the attendant stood back and refused to serve me until the helmet was removed.
What was confusing was she has been my regular attendant ever since I can remember.
I have now since changed to Shell on Camron road and have no issues... go figure.

**saltydog** · 11th March 2009, 11:13

Originally Posted by Devil

I always take my helmet off. It's just polite.
Same as not wearing a hat inside, or taking sunglasses off when you're speaking to someone.

I hear you, but this guy knows me and the bike, its a small town. Its not as if the iridium visor is closed shut or something. Perhaps the old fella has the memory of a goldfish or has a thing against bikers??
Does Shell also have the same policy? I've never been asked to take off my helmet in there.

**slofox** · 11th March 2009, 11:14

I always go to the local Gull station. Totally unmanned. Self service with eftpos only. Nobody can tell me anything...so I don't ever have to tell them to fuck off...

**idb** · 11th March 2009, 11:14

Threaten to start talking on your cellphone on the forecourt and send you both to hell!!!

**nivram** · 11th March 2009, 11:15

I'd just remove the helmet, it's not worth the hassle.

**MaxCannon** · 11th March 2009, 11:19

Every time I see a bike cop at a servo they go inside wearing their helmets.

Flip up they might be but they still hide a lot of their face.

**idb** · 11th March 2009, 11:22

I must admit I can't understand this policy.
Are they going to refuse to take your money?

**saltydog** · 11th March 2009, 11:24

Originally Posted by nivram

I'd just remove the helmet, it's not worth the hassle.

Na fuck the old codger (I'm over 40 as well). Easier to go to Shell or Gull.
The only thing I did like about the place was the 98 octane anyway.
They (BP) are the biggest money hungry bunch of corporate wankers that come up with the lamest excuses to put the price of their petrol up before anyone else!