How much drivers tip petrol attendants in South Africa

[The Voice]

I can see a lot of comments questioning their existence but it's better that we have them there (they do make our lives easier) and so do most carguards rather than go down bad paths. They are at least taking initiative to earn a living. I only tip carguards when they take the trolley away because I just remember that my grandfather was once a butler and relied on tips as well.

Having pumped my own petrol in the middle of winter I can agree on the first point. Car guards, though, provide no real service at all, and are basically just beggars with hi-vis vests. Oh you want me to give you something for running over to point out a parking spot I was going to take anyway? And what are you going to do exactly if some tsotsi decides to break into my car? Use harsh language?

 

[TheChamp]

I can see a lot of comments questioning their existence but it's better that we have them there (they do make our lives easier) and so do most carguards rather than go down bad paths. They are at least taking initiative to earn a living. I only tip carguards when they take the trolley away because I just remember that my grandfather was once a butler and relied on tips as well.

It goes far beyond making our lives easier, it's a question of safety, the last thing we want is intoxicated drivers operating fuel pumps, and we have alot of those here.

 

[JuliusSeizure]

Having pumped my own petrol in the middle of winter I can agree on the first point. Car guards, though, provide no real service at all, and are basically just beggars with hi-vis vests. Oh you want me to give you something for running over to point out a parking spot I was going to take anyway? And what are you going to do exactly if some tsotsi decides to break into my car? Use harsh language?

I've encountered many who are virtual beggers but there are some that do make our lives easier by helping with reversing out from the parking bay and taking the trolleys away.

 

[SauRoNZA]

It goes far beyond making our lives easier, it's a question of safety, the last thing we want is intoxicated drivers operating fuel pumps, and we have alot of those here.

Erm…weird place to try to catch that problem.

They shouldn’t be on the the road in the first place.

Solution to a problem that shouldn’t exist in the first place.

In a perfect world much like checking out your own groceries there should simply be a self-service isle for those who want to elect to do things themselves and don’t need or want help.

I personally am not a fan of petrol attendants because they end up splashing petrol on my tank more often than they don’t.

They also have no idea how to check the water or oil on my bike and there is no way in hell they are coming close to my tires.

 

[cr@zydude]

Erm…weird place to try to catch that problem.

They shouldn’t be on the the road in the first place.

Solution to a problem that shouldn’t exist in the first place.

In a perfect world much like checking out your own groceries there should simply be a self-service isle for those who want to elect to do things themselves and don’t need or want help.

I personally am not a fan of petrol attendants because they end up splashing petrol on my tank more often than they don’t.

They also have no idea how to check the water or oil on my bike and there is no way in hell they are coming close to my tires.

Not sure about motorbikes, but on a car, you want it to stand for a few hours before you check the oil. A petrol station thus isn't the best place to check it. Tyre pressure labels are also for cold tyre pressures, some cars tell you how much more to pump them up when they are hot from being driven.

 

[SauRoNZA]

Not sure about motorbikes, but on a car, you want it to stand for a few hours before you check the oil. A petrol station thus isn't the best place to check it. Tyre pressure labels are also for cold tyre pressures, some cars tell you how much more to pump them up when they are hot from being driven.

Actually modern cars want you to run it warm and then cool it down for a minute or two for the oil to settle down before reading it.

Tyre pressures are cold yea but as long as the petrol station is within a couple of kilometres from home and you don’t hit the highway it won’t matter much.

You’d want to pump less, not more, if they are already up to temperature.

 

[SAguy]

I'm happy to tip of they are kind and courteous. They need the R10 in coins laying in my centre console more than I do.

Yeah, perhaps they are unnecessary but think about our country... How many people will steal fuel if there's no attendant? How much more dangerous will petrol stations be at night when there's literally no one there but you and the cashier inside?

 

[Aghori]

R5 or R10 if the attendant is respectful and friendly, for checking tyre pressure/oil/water/wash windshields.

If it's just fuel then no tip.

 

[Progenix Oj101]

Can you confirm that ? Even from non paying customers that just drop by and not filling up ? ( Petrol that is, diesel is another story ).

Done it many times. I’m not against tipping, I just don’t always have a cent on hand (I avoid dealing with cash as much as possible). I’ve actually tipped one of these guys R 100 in the past because it was a MISERABLE day but he had very high spirits and was cheerful and friendly.

But getting back to your point, yes, I have the windscreen washed and the tires checked at least once per month without putting in petrol.

 

[SauRoNZA]

I'm happy to tip of they are kind and courteous. They need the R10 in coins laying in my centre console more than I do.

Yeah, perhaps they are unnecessary but think about our country... How many people will steal fuel if there's no attendant? How much more dangerous will petrol stations be at night when there's literally no one there but you and the cashier inside?

How exactly is an attendant stopping them from stealing fuel right now?

 

[upup]

They work sometimes in bad weather icecold during the night, etc.

 

[lambch0p]

Continuously find my self making sure I have a bit of cash/change on hand, just for the car guards. Or the odd petrol attendant that feels so sympathetic towards my unwashed car; that they start cleaning half the exterior before I can stop them

 

[SAguy]

How exactly is an attendant stopping them from stealing fuel right now?

If I was gonna steal fuel I'd be more comfortable doing so if there was no one close by. Then again I'm not a thief so maybe it makes no difference