Oregon Quirks and Perks

I was reminded of all the quirks of being an Oregonian when I read Kismet's "You know you're from Oregon..." post. I got a chuckle out of so many of them because they are so true. My helpful word tip of the day: when you see the word "Willamette," it's will-LAMB-it. There you go. Now you can live here.

Also Oregon related...Jason and I have had to face to bitter reality of paying sales tax again for online purchases because we switched our billing address to my parents' address in Washington, ergo we lost our Oregon tax exemption. It's downright painful to pay that extra 8%. Really. It is.

I sometimes forget about the differences between Oregon and Washington, until I see Sydney acting very much like an Oregonian. Our daily life in Oregon--like not being allowed to pump our own gas--fit into Sydney's playtime the other day.

When Sydney and her cousin Clover were driving their kid-sized car through the kitchen, Clover tried to get out to pump gas. Sydney kept telling her to stay there, and as the "gas attendant" she held out her hand for the "credit card."

Clover was confused.

Sydney asked what kind of gas she wanted. "Do you want to fill it with plus? That's the better kind of gas than regular."

Clover remained confused.

Sydney spent a few minutes convincing Clover to stay in the car because she was going to swipe the credit card, lift the nozzle, fill the tank with gas, and then give her a receipt (using correct terminology and everything).

Clover tried again to get out of the car to pump her own gas. Sydney looked at her in exasperation. "Clover! You can't pump your own gas!"

You preach it, sister.

It will be a whole new experience for her when we move to Washington and--horrors!--we'll have to pump our own gas. Fortunately, I still do remember how to pump my own gas. But I don't have to like it.

Comments

[Megan]

Wow, I can't believe people can't pump their own gas in Oregon! I wouldn't LET someone else pump mine, haha.

Do you know why you can't pump your own gas there?

[Goslyn]

You can't pump your own gas in Oregon? You've just dashed my hopes of moving to Oregon some day. There's a no pumping your own gas rule in New Jersey too, and I hate buying gas in that state. It's just weird to have someone do that for you.

[John]

Haha, that reminds me of our trip out there. Out of recent habit I jumped out of the car and got the crap scared out of me by the attendant standing right there. I think it's supposedly a safety issue.

[alyssa]

pumping my own gas = greatest fear of moving to ATL. thanks for this post!

[Angel]

I know. I always forget. On the way home from the beach a few months ago I got out of the car and was totally confused for a minute before I remembered. "Oh yeah, I can't pump it myself!" I just hate waiting around for someone else to do it. :) Do you have Costco's that sell gas? I can't imagine Costco pumping your gas for you. Seems like it would defeat the purpose of their system.

[Rachel]

I refused to pump my own gas when we were in the Air Force. I made Jason do it. It's a fact that military members maintain their "Home Status" even after years of service in another state. I just figured, "I'm an Oregonian. Oregonians don't pump their own gas!" The few times I got stuck having to do it, I let everyone in the station know I was an Oregonian and didn't usually do this sort of thing. I also hated paying sales tax. So many times I had what I thought was exact change and was so mad to find out that I forgot about sales tax. And by the way, I actually know someone who registered at REI and a debate began among us as to whether it was tacky to buy the item on their list from Cabelas if we knew it was cheaper than REI.

[karen]

Preach it Sydney!!!

I love sitting in my car, listening to the music, staying warm. Though I do feel a little sorry when they look so cold and their noses are red, and they are rubbing their hands together to keep warm...But it's a JOB!!

That story is to funny, I think Washingtonians, probebly do that for REAL in Oregon! Confussed...crazy look.

[Alida]

Funny! You should include the pronounciation for Chemeketa. I used to say Chee-mee-kee-ta. I love that attendants pump our gas. Last time I was in California, I drove to the gas station with my sister. I turned off the engine and sat there talking to her. After a few minutes she said, "Are you ever planning to out?" "What?" "Yeah go pay and pump." "What!?" It seemed almost offensive that I (a princess) would have to pump my own gas! Really what is the world coming too? Never mind that I was raised there. Never mind that I pumped my own gas from the minute I started driving. Never mind that in the 70's my sister and I felted offended by signs that said, "Don't worry ladies, we'll serve you." Refering to only men had to pump their own gas. I've come full circle and now feel outraged that anyone expects me to pump my own gas.

[Ariadne]

I think I've pumped my own gas once. It was somewhat disconcerting.

It definitely would help the Costco process be more efficient though, since I have to get out of my car to swipe my debit card anyways...

[Margaret]

I love having someone else pump my gas. LOVE IT.