Gas Pump Strategy

[Fn-P9]

I'd say relax. Some people are like that; low confidence, hooded sweatshirts makes feel better. Who knows. Sometimes if you show some kindness to people you will be doing Karma well. I have at times been driving home (years ago) and HAD to get gas only to put $1.23 in the tank. Like another said not everyone is out to get you.

 

[tele mark]

My standard reply to panhandlers:

"Sorry dude, I'd help you if I could, but I've been out of work for a year and I'm barely getting by".

 

[DesertShooter]

Panhandlers are a lot like cats. If you put a bowl of milk outside for a neighbor cat, they'll continue to come to your house. Before too long, there will be TWO cats....then THREE!

NEVER "donate" any money to those folks! A lot of kindhearted people have learned some lessons from giving out money! The panhandlers know that most folks carry their folding cash in a wallet or a purse. When you pull out those bills, they can see that you have more....and they may want it ALL!

I've used the following words to turn panhandlers away: "Shucks, I was about to ask YOU if you had any spare change!", "Uh no, I don't have any money on me, but if you wait a few minutes, the POLICE DETECTIVE that's meeting me here may have some!", and "Are you kidding? YOU probably have more money than I do!", and "You should stay away from me! I'm supposed to be quarantined for the contagious illness that I have, but I needed to buy some gas!"

 

[whited]

.

I ride the bus to/from downtown Denver an average of three times per
week. Hardly a day passes that I don't get harrassed by at least one
vagrant. I have heard every possible story. I need gas. I need bus fare.
I need a meal. I need this. I need that, and an R2-D2 Pez dispenser.

The episode that immediately ceased any and all donations from yours
truly was when I gave a "hungry" guy a couple dollars before I got on the
bus. As I passed, I saw the same guy waltz into a liquor store.



Never, ever again. Don't reinforce their behavior.

And thanks everyone for the awareness check. I like the "please don't
come any closer to me" approach to the situation. Panhandlers are funny.
They think they're so clever as they pick out their targets. Funny thing is
that I can spot them and see the whole interaction before they do.

 

[RustyShackelford]

Panhandlers/CCTV systems/stores...

I get hassled from time to time by bums/homeless people looking for $$$ at service stations/store parking lots. I tell them "NO" in a firm clear voice.

To me, it's not worth these jerks thinking they can panhandle or beg for money and then keep doing it as long as some customers lay out the funds.

From a security/safety standpoint, I would say most gas stations/stores are well lit and have CCTV/cameras pointed everywhere so if a bum/street person(s) does attack you the incident can be documented.

Do not encourage this type of conduct and report these a-holes to the store employees and/or local LEOs if needed.

RS

 

[ron8903]

I had a similar incident.
I was pumping gas when I noticed a young man
on a motorbike ride up.

He ask me as he was walking up to me if I had some
extra money so he could get some gas.
before he got within 15 or 20 feet of me I shouted "close enough"
He said what? and I repeated my command.
And I also told him NO I do not have any extra money for you
for any thing.
And you need to leave.
That young man was pissed, but he left cussing and red faced.

So it worked out for me, but I was alone.
Sound like you did good.

 

[ZeSpectre]

My personal rule and pretty hardline response to panhandlers is ... "I don't give out money".

Now having said that you weren't in a typical "homeless bum on the street" kind of situation so I think you probably took a decent read on the situation and handled it. Don't second guess yourself now, just be more alert in the future.

As a point of information, theres a scam going around right now that you and others might want to be aware of.

You pull up and start gassing up and member 1 of the team approaches and/or engages you in conversation, distracting you to look away from your car. Meanwhile member two is sneaking up the passenger side of the car and if the door or window is open they will reach in and grab anything they can and sneak away.

Several womans purses have been snatched this way.

To add insult to injury, if the victim notices the purse is gone, Member #1 (the friendly guy/girl you were chatting with) of the team will helpfully offer to call the cops on his/her cell phone (now that yours is gone). They aren't actually calling anyone but are giving their teammate more time to get away.

Not saying you should be unfriendly to everyone but you should keep doors locked and windows UP at the pump! That's why I like that my car can unlock just the drivers door. My wifes car unlocks all the doors if you unlock any

 

[Derek Zeanah]

Sometimes people need help, but most vagrants are looking for cash for reasons other than were stated. Examples from my own life:

• Woman walks up and notices I have an out of state plate, then gives me a sob story about being from xxx part of town and her job blah-blah-blah and her mom the other thing. I told her I was about to have dinner, would be out in 15 minutes, and if she was still there I'd fill up her tank. She was gone when I came back out.
• Guy sees me going into the Mexican restaurant and asks if I can give him money for food. I say no, but that if he's here when I am done I'll buy him a meal. He wasn't.
• Guy in $200 minivan with shredded seats and 2 small kids in the back asks for $10 for gas, offers to trade anything in the minivan for it. Quick assessment makes me think he really needs the gas, and kids might suffer a bit more if he needs to skimp somewhere else, so I fill his tank. He's grateful and leaves, while attendant comes out as asks if I know the guy, as he's been seen mooching gas before. I don't feel bad - he really appeared to need the help, even if (as is likely) his problems are self-induced rather than related to the external factors he's pointing to.

I never give money, and I never walk into a situation where I feel uncomfortable. 2 younger guys acting/dressing hinky = "no thanks" phrased just that way. A confused expression yields the "I appreciate the offer, but don't feel like giving out money today" response. A step closer to me in your situation (don't have kids yet) would probably get a response like "dude, do you see the kids in the car? They're mine, and I love them dearly. Step any closer and you're gonna make me feel threatened, and you really don't wanna see me turn fierce in defense of my offspring. Ask someone else. Like that meat-head over there" (pointing to his cohort).

Your solution worked though, and apparently you were comfortable with it. I usually step away from the vehicle with hands in pockets and keep my eyes open though...

 

[Claude Clay]

condition yellow

you are armed & not in a secure area than if you aint seeing & making eye contact at 20 feet, you aint paying attention & shoud reconsider your choice to carry vrs your ability to percieve events BEFORE they unfold. there are many good books on this subject....for the safety of your family ( & your own) moving foward, invest in a self-defense/awarness course. good luck don't mean to sound harsh, but the gun dont work if you dont. & that means constant vigilence~~think of a 20 foot bubble surrounding you & anything entering it~~ you are aware of. just making strong eye contact will defuse a possibility 90+% of the time. bad people know that the only 2 types who will not break eye contact are other BG's or those who are armed and/or LE. consider keeping singles & a 5 in your front pocket as 'hand out' $ cheaper than laywers any day. what you had was an eye opening " non-event". ua did right.

 

[clt46910]

Seldom do I give out money to panhandlers. Once in a while I do run across one that I do believe. Most times a "Sorry man, tapped out." will work. I found if they get aggressive or threatening to me, standing my ground and staring them down works. I don't believing in giving money to anyone that threatens me in any way.

But we all have to work out what works best for us. How each of us handle it will be different. Personally I would have told them no, but that is just me. If you feel comfortable with the way you handled it then you did good.

 

[Avenger]

I just want to clear up one common misconception here: gasoline, and its fumes, are only explosive under certain conditions. To get a big fireball like in the movies, you need either a great deal of compression, a perfect air/fuel mixture, or a stunt co-ordinator. You generally don't find those at your corner station. Yes, gasoline can, will, and does burn energetically given the oppurtunity. But it will not explode under normal atmospheric conditions. The fire won't even be that large, unless you've hosed out several gallons.

 

[Zero_DgZ]

Confirmed.

With the vapors present at a gas station that doesn't have anything wrong with it, ignition will result in a "whumf" and a quick flash over that will immediately burn out any vapors within range, likely fast enough that you won't even lose any leg hairs, unless there are actual puddles of gasoline around to continue burning/emitting vapors.

Gasoline will not "flash through" the gas pump or hose or anything because that's a pretty anaerobic environment by design. With no oxygen in the lines or gas tanks underground it's awfully hard to make it blow up.

The danger comes if you have a spill or an active pump that's still pumping.

 

[jdl357]

I walked to the local Taco Bell the other day and got a 6 pack of tacos and then went next door and got a 12 pack of cold beer. While walking back home a bum asked me for money to get something to eat. I gave him a taco and a can of beer. He was the happiest person I ever saw! Must have thought he died and went to heaven. BTW, I was carrying, was in condition yellow, but the guy was ok.

 

[jdl357]

Gas pump fire on security video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUf8vc7I6bc

 

[MikePGS]

Good job. The only way you could have done better was to be more aware of your surroundings, but I imagine that you'll do better at that in the future.

 

[atomchaser]

You did fine. If the guy was really going to jack you up, 6 bucks would have been like throwing chum to sharks. He was just a panhandler. Telling him to get lost would have had the same effect. Just never let them get too close.

 

[JLStorm]

I find that speaking firm, standing tall, looking somewhat intimidating by being in shape and/or looking people in the eye makes them keep their distance. It is amazing how people will do an about face if they feel they are dealing with someone who for some unknown reason is self assured and seems like an alpha.

If they dont back off, then you just save valuable time in determining that you have an issue and its time to take action of some sort without allowing them to get to close to you.

 

[Claude Clay]

yellow

redundant

 

[Pax Jordana]

Claude

. Now, some would say, "Why didn’t you see them coming? Jeff Cooper’s Color Code dontcha know..."Yeah, b_ls_t too, O.K.? Let’s get in the REAL WORLD for a moment where people work for a living, their kids get sick, they get late for work, they have flat tires...you know? Sometimes, everything goes wrong. I really don’t care who you are, at one time or another in your life, you are going to have your head up your ___ not paying attention or, the other guy is going to be very skilled at what HE does for a living. If you can walk out of your Mother’s Funeral and still be aware of everything around you, in your grief, you’re a far better "Tactical Guy" than I am.

Sometimes, you are confronted with people that know how to hide, and hide their actions...very well. Sometimes, no matter how vigilant you are, you will miss something. Anything can happen.

Quote care of the great Don Rearic.

Look at the results of the situation. Now, if the OP was the most tactically aware master of the OODA loop, the fence and unknown contact management.... he would be six dollars richer. Big deal.

I think he did fine, for my money

 

[Ivy Mike]

I was once attacked at a gas pump. I was pumping gas on the passenger side when I notice someone approaching me with something of a purposeful walk. He had his hand in the front pocket of a hoodie. I didn't like the look of this guy and when he started getting closer, I began circling my car to keep distance between us. As I moved around and got a little closer to getting ready to run for the front door of the station, he took a few running steps and caught me. By this time, the knife (a cheap little paring knife) was out. When he put his hand on me, I turned and swung, landing a decent punch to his left shoulder/chest area. I guess it was where it landed that kept him from bringing the knife up.
Anyway, his momentum carried us to the ground when some lady near the door yelled that she called the cops. He tried to stand to run off and I kicked at his feet, tripping him. I was on his back with his hands under control and I sat there until the police showed up.

I guess the guy is out of jail at this point, but I believe he got a few years for that stunt.
I was damned lucky to get out of it with just a few scratches from the scuffle on the ground and getting minor cuts from the knife. Its this very incident that prompted me to get my CCW as well as start some serious martial arts training.

so I guess the important thing is keep some distance and the car between you two. I've also found that most dogs tend to listen when you give them a stern "NO."

 

[sfc123]

Interview

Marc MacYoung has some great material on this very subject.

You very well may have been in what Marc would call an "interview". This can often consist of something Marc calls "buzzing" where someone will try to get into your personal space to see if you are paying attention. If you don't notice them they very well attack then and there, if you do then they may go into the verbal part of the interview where they ask for something (money, lighter, time, etc) as they try to position themselves for the attack.

You do not want to let someone get within 5 feet of you.

You should feel comfortable telling someone, "that's close enough" or some variation of theme. If you tell them that and they continue toward you then you now know their intentions and can prepare to defend yourself without doubt.

Do understand that if someone comes within 5 feet of you and is just talking without attacking you then that does not automatically give you the right to attack them. At the same time, because you carry, I'm sure you know how long it takes for you to draw and you need to take that into account.

Sometimes a quick motion with your strong hand to your back, like you are going to draw or pull a knife, while you use your weak hand to indicate to the person and verbally say, "that's close enough" is enough to make the person think twice before continuing to approach.

Check out Marc's material, www.nononsenseselfdefense.com .

 

[Working Man]

Seems all went well enough. I personally don't like to hand out money though.

I always try to pull up to the pump so that I only have one opening easily
available. The pump blocks to the left the truck to the right and the hose
towards the back. I also pull in close so my mirror is in the way a bit. Keep
all windows up and doors locked even if I am paying at the pump.

I once had a guy begin to approach me in a "I've seen the movie before" sorta
way. I took a deep breath in (the kind that pops your back) dropped my head
a little and raised my shoulders, kinda reminds me of an inflated gorilla look.
The kicker was the fact that I looked right at him and smiled, not a teeth
showing smile but one of those closed mouth ones that a person may do when
they just heard something interesting that they liked.

At that point he actually stopped and seemed like he had to think about
something, changed his direction, and went inside the store.

Most creatures don't want to mess with a person that is willing to defend
themselves and lets them know that they are aware of their intentions let
alone someone that seems to welcome the conflict.

One thing I have noticed. The true homeless respond properly if you look them
in the eye and just turn your head side to side to indicate "no" and usually leave
you be. It is the younger punks in the $120 sneakers that keep approaching for
the most part.

 

[entropy]

If you can walk out of your Mother’s Funeral and still be aware of everything around you, in your grief, you’re a far better "Tactical Guy" than I am.

Actually, I was. The feeling was more of relief than greif, however, that her year and a half of painful suffering was over.


I had a bum approach me, my wife, and two friends visiting us in Dallas, with the opening line (and his only one besides, "Sorry, man") "Hey, I ain't into robbin' nobody and sh**, but..." to which I responded in a Command Presence voice, "GOOD, because we ain't into kickin' the sh** out of a bum, but we ain't above it, neither!" He crossed the street and started walkin' real fast the other way......

There was no way he was armed, ( it was summer, he had on a thin sleveless T and ratty old running shorts, plus had done a "Crazy Ivan" checking his six, revealing to me nothing hidden SOB.) I had a folder which I had ready in my right hand, thumb on the knob. He never got to see it, fortunately for us all.


I have offered bugers to the guys on the side of the road. Thier usual response is, "How do I know you ain't did nothin' to it?"

 

[Zero_DgZ]

In response to that video, static electricity is what touched off the fire. The woman had that fuzzy white sweater on; I'm guessing it was a dry day and she made the mistake of getting back in the car, rubbing up against the seats and charging herself up. She didn't touch anything to ground herself afterwards so she grounded through the (metal) pump nozzle into her (metal) car. Zap, vapors were in the right mix to ignite, foosh.

The pertinent point is that while there was a quick flashover it wasn't even enough to ignite her fuzzy sweater, and no raging inferno happened as a result of the pump running. She was smart enough to click the pump off before taking it out of the car but she shouldn't have taken it out of the car in the first place. She should have left it there to burn out and gone to whack the emergency stop button (especially if there were other people fueling, I don't know how big the gas station was) and waiting for everything to burn out before trying to remove the nozzle. By placing it on the ground (still flaming a bit from residue) she risked igniting any other spills or vapors hanging around. Remember that gasoline vapors are heavier than air and will collect on the ground.

But preferably she'd call the fire department and let them handle it instead of trying to monkey with the nozzle herself anyway.

 

[Two Cold Soakers]

Be polite.

About 17 years ago, 3 friends and I were walking out of a tavern at 2 am in Detroit (Steve's) and one of the local street guys started following us as soon as we left the back door.

Him: "Hey, you got a dollar?"
Me: "Yea, one dollar is all I got"
Him: "Gimme a dollar"
Me: "Dude, I've been drinking all night, it's two thirty, I spent all my cash. All I've got is one dollar!"
Him, smiling, disbelieving: "Awww. Gimme a dollar."
Me, pulling out the wallet (containing one dollar): "Look man, it's all I got. One stinking dollar, you can't have it."
Him, with a great big toothless grin: "Gimme a dollar"
Me : "Oh, all right, here" (giving him the dollar).
Him, grateful, "Com'ere, I got something for you"​

He reached behind a a trash bin, into a paper bag, and handed me a cool, unopened 12 oz. bottle of Heineken.



I ran to the car, got in the back seat without fighting over the front, and enjoyed my adult beverage behind the implied privacy of tinted windows.

Moral of the story?

Karma.
What goes around comes around.
Matt. 7:12
Treat others as you wish to be treated.
Don't be a jerk.

Soakers, who now keeps himself out of such situations.