One of those instances when person A's mistake leads to person B and person B saves the day for you. So, i have (actually, had) been a regular at the 76 Gas Station (39925 Mission Boulevard) just a stone's throw away from this Arco.
On a busy working day, i suddenly had my car's tire pressure light go off. While returning from office, later in the day, i wanted to fix it. It was just over 8:40 or so in the night when i reached the 76 Gas Station and explained to the Chinese Gentleman that i did not know how to operate the Air Pump to refill air (Actually, wrong of me, but i have been living in Oregon and there they have an attendant at each gas Station and it is mandatory - as per law - for them to fuel up the car, do the tire pressure etc.). The Chinese man took the $1.5 from me and told me his job is to take money and start the pump and that i was on my own.
I thought how tough would it be to fill the air. So, i paid the gentleman and tried the air filling. As it was dark, i could not see the gauge (frankly, i did not know where the gauge was to check how much air pressure there was) - i kept looking regardless. I had filled air in 2 tires and because of my taking long, the pump went off (it was on for a decent 2-3 minutes).
Thought of leaving the gas station and trying another place, but something convinced me to go back (as i had paid) and explain my scenario to the Chinese Gentleman. When i went back in, i told the gentleman that the pump had got turned off and that i am still to fill air. And, most importantly, that i did not know how to fill it. For the next 2-3 minutes, the only thing that came out of the Chinese Man's mouth to whatever i said was, "Not My Job." He did not start the pump again because he did not even let me tell him what i needed. Not My Job was all i heard from him, followed by "Crazy" when i left, fuming.
- That was perhaps one of the most inhumane things i have come across. Maybe i am being a bit dramatic, but more than anger, i felt sad at the level of humanity. Honestly, i would help out a total stranger change their wheel without batting an eyelid, if someone was in need.
Anyway, it was then that i drove to the next door Arco station and explained my situation to an old Indian (dark and a bit burly) Gentleman. He acted like a total family member and told me to pay just a dollar and that he would start the pump again, if i was not done. I tried filling the air, and somehow the light did not go away. I went back inside, and the Indian gentleman not only started the pump again, he also walked out with me to ensure i was filling it up the right way. He told me that the sensor takes a while and that one needs to drive a bit for the light to go off. The fact that i knew i had filled up the right amount of air (thanks to the Indian gentleman and another person from whom i had asked how to check the air gauge), i left the gas station with the light still on.
I would have barely driven 100 meters that the light went off. And what a sigh of relief that was. Do not wish to carry any ill feeling towards the Chinese gentleman at 76 Gas Station next door, but his words still ring in my mind, "Not My Job." Next time someone is stranded on the road, and it is dark, my response is definitely not going to be, "Not My Job." read more
