As frequent travelers covering vast distances with our Airstream in tow, we’ve observed a concerning trend on the roads. There is noticeable decline in common courtesy.
This lack of common courtesy extends beyond typical traffic situations and merging challenges, manifesting prominently at refueling stops. The problem becomes particularly acute when towing a 30-foot travel trailer. One behavior that particularly irks me is when people leave their vehicles parked at gas pumps after refueling.
It’s understandable to briefly enter the station to pay when a pump malfunctions or when using cash. But lingering unnecessarily is inconsiderate. Gas stations now offer various amenities, tempting customers to extend their stay. However, the courteous approach is to complete your transaction, move your vehicle, and then attend to other needs.
I’ve lost count of the times we waited on an unattended vehicle. Complicating things further is the fact that we often need specific pumps to accommodate our RV’s maneuverability requirements. We can’t always simply move to the next available pump. In some cases, while waiting for the right pump, we inadvertently block part of the station’s parking area or driveway. This is never our intention, but sometimes we have no alternative.
The frustration mounts as we’re forced to inconvenience others due to someone else’s thoughtlessness.
Speaking of thoughtless acts, if they’re not driving an RV, people should not park in the large RV-specific spaces at gas stations, park visitor centers, and other locations. We also recently found a truck parked in front of the dump station at a Love’s Travel Stop. A truck driver should understand the importance of leaving space open for vehicle-specific needs!
As we continue our travels, we hope to see a resurgence of common courtesy and awareness at gas stations. A little mindfulness can go a long way in making refueling stops smoother and less stressful for everyone. This is especially true for those of us navigating larger vehicles.
Let’s all do our part to restore common courtesy to the roads and fuel stops across the country. We always pull away from gas pumps when we finish fueling up. If there isn’t room, we forgo using the other services available. It may be less convenient for us, but I refuse to be “that guy” who blocks the pumps unnecessarily.