Service station helmet removal??

[Virago]

I'm with you on this one Juan. I never took my helmet off when fuelling up in the UK, and never experienced any difficulties until the last month or so before I left to come to NZ.

I fuelled up at a Tesco and as I finished I heard a voice over the forecourt speaker squawk something. I didn't quite hear what was said due to the fact that I was wearing ear plugs and my helmet at the time. I then entered the shop in order to pay and a spotty arrogant fuckwit behind the counter insisted I removed my helmet before I paid. I said no, won't do it, he said then he'd phone the police. I said go ahead, left my 10 pounds on the counter and walked out.

While I understand that there may be some security concerns, if he was that bothered then he should not have armed the pump until I took my helmet off, and the spotty prick shouldn't have been so arrogant and condescending.

Maybe he just thought I was going to beat him around the head with a ten pound note I had in my hand when I entered the shop?

I've never taken my helmet off here either. But in all honesty if any petrol station was that concerned, particularly if they'd been hit before by some thieving scum, then I probably would take the effort to remove my lid out of courtesy.

Oh dear, the more I read on this forum, the more I am convinced that a well-balanced biker has a chip on both shoulders.

If you were a hunter, would you expect to be able to walk into a bank carrying a shotgun? And react with self-righteous indignation if challenged?

The reality is that the bad guys use helmets when doing robberies. Show some common courtesy to those that work in these places, and remove your helmet!

[Deano]

Like the Countdown store that wouldn't accept my firearms and drivers licences as ID. I had to have one of theirs. They apparently thought that their checking processes were better than the cops. I left the trundler, groceries etc in the checkout and left. They haven't got a cent of mine since.

If it was to purchase liquor, they can only accept 4 types of ID and strangely enough, a gun licence isn't one of them. A NZ photo driver's licence is though so what was the reason for refusal ?

I used to work in a gas station and helmets did not bother me in the slightest - not as much as when the MM pulled in, or some clown from the pub next door decided he would win a fight by using a petrol pump as a flamethrower.

[idb]

If attendants are nervous about working in a service station, then they must be dangerous places and we should be nervous about stopping there.
It sounds like it is safer to keep the helmet on in case a robbery breaks out.

[crashe]

At my local BP garage I always leave my helmet on... only cos they know me.

At all other garages I leave it on, but occassionaly, I take it off as it gives my head a breather from the weight of the helmet, especially after a long ride.
Up til now I have never been asked to remove the helmet.
As I have my wallet out and they can see that Im about to pay them and not rob them.

There are signs up to say remove them and at the beginning I did it all the time, but heck what with gloves, sunnies and keys etc.... I started leaving it on.

If I was asked to then yep I would remove it, cos maybe they have been recently robbed etc.

At my local BP garage there is a big sign up stating not to sit on the bike when refueling. I might add that I have never done this, as it doesnt seem safe to do it. (BP Glendene has just been rebuilt so new signs up everywhere)

[FEINT]

I leave my helmet on and haven't been asked to remove it. Usually open the visor so they can see the eyes.......

I wear a balaclava under the helmet and if I was asked to remove the helmet, I would be wearing a balaclava, I don't know if that is much better... Might be even scarier!

[Biff]

Oh dear, the more I read on this forum, the more I am convinced that a well-balanced biker has a chip on both shoulders.

If you were a hunter, would you expect to be able to walk into a bank carrying a shotgun? And react with self-righteous indignation if challenged?

The reality is that the bad guys use helmets when doing robberies. Show some common courtesy to those that work in these places, and remove your helmet!

"But in all honesty if any petrol station was that concerned, particularly if they'd been hit before by some thieving scum, then I probably would take the effort to remove my lid out of courtesy."

You did read this bit - right?

I said I would remove my helmet happily. And if the service station had a sign up asking me to I probably would. But I won't be spoken down to by a spotty arrogant teenager. Sorry - I'm far too stubborn for that.

[Virago]

"But in all honesty if any petrol station was that concerned, particularly if they'd been hit before by some thieving scum, then I probably would take the effort to remove my lid out of courtesy."

You did read this bit - right?

I said I would remove my helmet happily. And if the service station had a sign up asking me to I probably would. But I won't be spoken down to by a spotty arrogant teenager. Sorry - I'm far too stubborn for that.

I stand corrected - my rant was aimed at all and sundry. And I agree - you're far too stubborn!

[festus]

Never been asked yet to remove my helmet............on long trips I usually remove it anyway to give the top of my head a good scratch and wiggle me ears...

[Quasievil]

Maybe we should have a hair training day .... or better yet .... you guys should have cool haircuts like mine .... or better yet ... like Quasi's !!!

Yeah bro, look cool........ d huh?

[Holy Roller]

Do you have to remove your lid while filling your bike in your fine land?

I ask this as for the first time EVER I was asked to remove my lid when paying for fuel

While filling NO you can keep your lid on but it is good practice to remove the lid when paying inside unless there is a forecourt attendant to give the money to. Since I usually wear an open face and fill up at one station only, being late for work I will leave it on but all the staff know me.

[vifferman]

Here's what I do:

1. Ride into station
2. Place bike on side stand
3. Lock steering wheel
4. Remove gloves
5. Proceed to fill up tank

Interesting. I'd like to see that bike.

Anyhoo, I never used to take my helmet off (too many things to fumble with), and then after being asked to remove it at a station a few years ago, I always took it off. Then after reading the last thread on this topic, I took to never taking it off unless asked to, regardless of little sticker thingos on doors, etc., and since making that decision, I've never been asked to remove it.
If I am asked, then I will remove it, because my only reason for leaving it on is my own convenience and because I have too many things to juggle when paying for petrol, and I'd rather not drop my helmet on the concrete.

[Deano]

If you were a hunter, would you expect to be able to walk into a bank carrying a shotgun? And react with self-righteous indignation if challenged?

The reality is that the bad guys use helmets when doing robberies. Show some common courtesy to those that work in these places, and remove your helmet!

I don't think that analogy is appropriate, unless you can purchase ammo at a bank ???

Bad guys also wear caps, sunnies, hoodies - should they be asked to remove them before entering ?

If the fuel industry wants to enforce the no helmet rule, then the onus is on them to come up with a solution so that their CUSTOMERS are not incovenienced.

I.e. Pay at the pump or pay drawer.

[Waylander]

Hmm I hope that the petrol stations dont go the way of that mall in england. And y'all mock the states for thier false freedoms.

[Lou Girardin]

If it was to purchase liquor, they can only accept 4 types of ID and strangely enough, a gun licence isn't one of them. A NZ photo driver's licence is though so what was the reason for refusal ?

I used to work in a gas station and helmets did not bother me in the slightest - not as much as when the MM pulled in, or some clown from the pub next door decided he would win a fight by using a petrol pump as a flamethrower.

I did say groceries and, though it's kind of you to imply it, I no longer look under 18.

[Quasievil]

Helmets arent so cool if your running from the cops as a helmet is a perfect way to bring someone down real quick, grab it (head high style) and throw em down, nothing easier, I did some work with the cops a few years back and we chased a guy on a VTR1000, he parked up after a long highspeed chase, the cop (my mate) said jump out and take him down by the Helmet, the guy didnt have a chance, no way.Therefore if your robbing a gas station or whatever a helmet would not be the way I would go.