Smoking in a Petrol Station

Suzuki · Roger Joined: 03 May 2005 Karma :

This morning I had to stop for petrol on the way to work, so I pulled into Bickenhill Service Station on the A45 near the NEC. It's an ESSO garage.

Anyway, turn the engine off and hear my phone ringing. Was somebody from work, but I thought "Nope, better not answer it in a petrol station" and ignored it.
Finished filling up and walked into the shop to pay for my fuel, and was confronted with two members of staff behind the tills smoking!!

As far as I see it this is wrong on two levels. Firstly, there's the "smoking in the workplace" thing, and the fact that they're doing it in an enclosed shop. Not only do the other workers have to breathe it in, but the general public too.
Secondly, they work in a flipping petrol station!!! (yes, i know they're never going to explode the place by smoking in the shop, but that's hardly the point is it. Not quite the right message to be giving out to people)

So... what do I do? Should I complain to the manager/esso? Or would it be better off left alone? What do you think?
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<Simple> no I'm shaven Jon Razz

<Simple> it is a big enough hole.. I'll leave it now
Ride: 1999 Suzuki GSXR600 (yellow/black) IRC: Stats - Relationship Map

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

But were they wearing shell suits (which added to the smoking could get very interesting anyway Smile

)?

(Brainiac 'proved' that shell suits were more dangerous that mobile phones when there's lots of petrol vapour in the air)

Suzuki · Roger Joined: 03 May 2005 Karma :

No "Shell" suits sadly. (Esso uniforms Laughing

) I'm curious about why they're more dangerous though... Smile

____________________
<Simple> no I'm shaven Jon Razz

<Simple> it is a big enough hole.. I'll leave it now
Ride: 1999 Suzuki GSXR600 (yellow/black) IRC: Stats - Relationship Map

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

More likely to cause a spark from static electricity.

Now for their 'experiment', they did have someone standing in a washing up bowl dancing while wearing a shell suit to create a spark.

But then they did also have five phones set in the petrol vapour which they rung simultaneously.

Suzuki · Roger Joined: 03 May 2005 Karma :

Shocking! (ho ho)

Right, anyway, back on topic - do I shop them to their boss?
____________________
<Simple> no I'm shaven Jon Razz

<Simple> it is a big enough hole.. I'll leave it now
Ride: 1999 Suzuki GSXR600 (yellow/black) IRC: Stats - Relationship Map

Annabella · Like a person, only smaller Joined: 03 Feb 2002 Karma :

Suzuki · Roger Joined: 03 May 2005 Karma :

Suzuki · Roger Joined: 03 May 2005 Karma :

dainesefreak · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Apr 2003 Karma :

Shop the dirty c*nts. I used to get similar in an Esso in Erdington, both workers would sit there smoking all day. You would open the door and be engulfed by bellowing fag smoke.

If they want to smoke that's up to them, but they provide a service and should be professional, not everyone wants to inhale their second hand smoke as well as their dirty CO2.

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

killa · Won't Shut Up Joined: 18 Oct 2004 Karma :

tartantaz · Spanner Monkey Joined: 23 Jan 2006 Karma :

I personally think you know what you want to do and really dont need us to help you. At the end of the day Ive read all the replies and they seem to be a mix no answers to determine one way or another. So your question is not really being answered.

Clearly it bothers you or you would not have taken the time to write a post. The fact that the complaint is regarding smoking will provoke those who are for and against smoking to cloud their judgement. For me the issue is not should they be smoking or not, the issue is should they be smoking in a place of work regardless of the populations thoughts on smoking itself? I say they would be quick enough to tell you to not use your mobile in the petrol station, or tell you to take of your helmet to pay, so what do you think you should do?

I hope I have been of some help.

Regards

Taz

kb-zxr · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 01 Jun 2005 Karma :

Should have offered them a pack of 20 in return for a free tank of juice.

Think on next time...

Skunkcap Freddie · Brolly Dolly Joined: 20 Oct 2005 Karma :

when i use my mobile at the petrol station i usually stand off the forecourt. Just incase i catch fire. no one over here has ever said anything to me about using my phone close to the petrol station. then again the employees are usually very young and don't care

GearboxGeezer · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Sep 2005 Karma :

Adam_P · World Chat Champion Joined: 23 Jan 2004 Karma :

Can't see what the problem is. I'd certainly not take offence at them smoking away from the forecourt. If they'd had a fag on while cleanign the pumps or dipping the main tank, then I'd probably be a bit concerned, but for having a fag indoors, at this time of year?

I can understand the fact that it'll smell and its not very welcoming, but getting on the phone to the manager about it, well, I reckon you've got a bit too much time on your hands Jon... Wink

Spend the time riding the bike instead of ringing people up for no reason. Thumbs Up

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fuzz · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Karma :

Grass em up! It's because the British don't complain that we get such lousy service. And then we piss and moan about it later and annoy everyone else.
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Suzuki · Roger Joined: 03 May 2005 Karma :

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Don't petrol stations usually sell food like fresh pastries and biscuits and stuff? I wouln't want my morning pain au chocolat stinking of galouises! Smile

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Mim · Nova Slayer Joined: 12 Jun 2005 Karma :

I'm one of those people who never gets away with anything, so my theory is no-one else should either, grass 'em up!
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In space no-one can hear you smeg

m99dws · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Jun 2004 Karma :

I'd complain. The indian run garage on the A66 near Darlington is usually filled with smoke.
Wouldn't go there anyway as it's 7p/litre more than the others less than 3 miles away.

Esso in Billingham is built on the same site (about 20 metres apart) as a live flame gas fire showroom Laughing

McGee · O RLY? Joined: 24 Jun 2005 Karma :

colin1 · Captain Safety Joined: 17 Feb 2005 Karma :

I doubt that you would stink of smoke after popping into their shop bit to pay for your petrol.

I think it looks a bit slack smoking on the job so I would be a bit affronted. In the same way as if I were to get served by someone who is speaking to their mate on the phone while serving. A bit offputting but not that bad really. As you said, they arent really causing a fire risk even if technically for safety reasons they are.

I would have no problem answering my phone at a petrol station but if some superstitious person asked me to turn it off i probably would.

Obviously Killa's mate is the real danger.

If you wanted to do something about the smokers in the petrol station shop, you could talk to them about it saying you would report them next time.

It would be fun if you pulled up next time and they hurriedly put out their ciggies before you came in.
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Kirmit · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 28 Oct 2004 Karma :

I'm sorry but I don't see the issue. Ok I smoke, but that isn't a factor in my response.

1. You, me and every other customer will be in there for 2-3 minutes at most.

2. Their behind the tills, so not exactly next to you.

3. Most garages have hot food for sell, all those heaters are I'm sure more likely to cause a fire hazard.

4. I've only ever seen NO SMOKING signs in forecourts, not the shops themselves.
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McGee · O RLY? Joined: 24 Jun 2005 Karma :

At the end of the day I dont care if people smoke there the same person with a habbit thats all.

This worlds taking the piss just leave people alone.
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