A Senior Plugger remembers that, once upon a time, when you pulled up to a gas station, three attendants RUSHED out to wash your windshield, check the air in your tires, check the oil, and pump your gas. Sometimes, they even offered you a free soda from the station’s cooler. Most of the attendants also knew the names of all of your kids – and which one was in which grade at school. A Senior Plugger also remembers that, once upon a time, you could send a letter to almost anybody anywhere and all you needed on the envelope was the person’s name, the town where they lived and the state where the town was located – and no one EVER worried that the letter might get lost on its way to its destination.
95818, 99709, 30265, and many more, are the zip codes I’ve lived in. I can even remember the first phone number I needed to learn in case I ever needed to call home, or have the parents of whatever friend I was visiting do it.
Of course, this was in the days before ten-digit dialing…
My first job also. Gas was .32 cents a gal. everyone used cash, you carried a large leather wallet with a zipper and belt chain for bills a change dispenser on a belt and made the change in your head.
Gas stations not only had full service, but they gave away dishes, drinking glasses, all kinds of nifty things with every fill-up. They also gave out Blue Chip Stamps (like Green Stamps) so generously we could fill up a book in no time.Of course, minimum wage was $2 an hour at the time. Sometimes I’d like to go back to those Mayberry RFD days.
Templo S.U.D. over 8 years ago
I still remember the ZIP code of the town from which I moved four years ago: 98531.
LoisG Premium Member over 8 years ago
A Senior Plugger remembers that, once upon a time, when you pulled up to a gas station, three attendants RUSHED out to wash your windshield, check the air in your tires, check the oil, and pump your gas. Sometimes, they even offered you a free soda from the station’s cooler. Most of the attendants also knew the names of all of your kids – and which one was in which grade at school. A Senior Plugger also remembers that, once upon a time, you could send a letter to almost anybody anywhere and all you needed on the envelope was the person’s name, the town where they lived and the state where the town was located – and no one EVER worried that the letter might get lost on its way to its destination.
ellisaana Premium Member over 8 years ago
When a friend of mine is drives from NY to Maryland, she always tries to gas up in New Jersey – where gas station attendants still pump gas.
Olddog1 over 8 years ago
ellisaana: the gas there is a lot cheaper too. Have to get down into VA to get as low a price.
whiteheron over 8 years ago
Does anyone else have issues trying to read the screens on the pumps when the sun is shining on them?
McGehee over 8 years ago
95818, 99709, 30265, and many more, are the zip codes I’ve lived in. I can even remember the first phone number I needed to learn in case I ever needed to call home, or have the parents of whatever friend I was visiting do it.
Of course, this was in the days before ten-digit dialing…
Odd Dog Premium Member over 8 years ago
My first job also. Gas was .32 cents a gal. everyone used cash, you carried a large leather wallet with a zipper and belt chain for bills a change dispenser on a belt and made the change in your head.
Dr_Fogg over 8 years ago
I remember the code for the town I grew up in. And our phone number.
Bob. over 8 years ago
First phone number was 1427W
neverenoughgold over 8 years ago
I wish I could just pay at the pump…
…with cash!
pcolli over 8 years ago
I live in the UK….. Why does he need to punch in his zip code to get fuel?
LuvThemPluggers over 8 years ago
Gas stations not only had full service, but they gave away dishes, drinking glasses, all kinds of nifty things with every fill-up. They also gave out Blue Chip Stamps (like Green Stamps) so generously we could fill up a book in no time.Of course, minimum wage was $2 an hour at the time. Sometimes I’d like to go back to those Mayberry RFD days.