removing lids

[hooters]

hello all

who gets anoyed when yu go into a petrol staion to fill up and you someone over the tanoy saying 'take off your helmet before filling up'.

this happened to me the other evening while i was on my way home from work, there were no signs up saying remove crash helmat before using the pump nothing apart from some very rude assistant shouting it at me!!!
normally i would just go to another petrol station but i was running on fumes, i went in to the man and said why do have to take my lid off and all i got told is that is the law (bulls**t) after having a argument with the bloke for a little while (mainly about his attitude) he let me fill up with my lid on.
im not being racist but you can see more of my face than some asian women that have vails coving there face but they dont get asked to remove them..
when i said this the assistant he just said that he doesnt care at all..

after going back my bike to go home 6 asian men dicieded to start a fit with me i.e calling a whit hokie)


has anyone else had this problem???????

sorry about the essay i need to have a rant lol

p.s sorry about the spelling

[Woz]

In over 11 years of riding, I have never been asked to take my helmet off when filling up. I've seen some stations where there was a sign stating that helmets must be removed but I've always ignored them and it's never been a problem.

[Sally]

Never been a problem for me either, even with the signs!

[Biker Biggles]

Hitlers bike.
Did adolf ever have to remove his peaked cap?

[dawn07]

You're right to be annoyed hooters, and spot on about the asian woman [no way would they be asked to remove their veil before filling up on petrol]
I never remove my helmet at petrol stations, but then again I've got a flip front

[hooters]

the bloke was a tit because he asked where was my front number plate and it should be on my bike. he was a complet hand pump!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i think it might just be luton where you have to take your lid off lol

[dawn07]

Think 'karma' hooters and don't let the guy get to you. He obviously was having a bad day and decided to take it out on you.
You're better than him [ well you're a biker, so you MUST be a lovely guy!]
Take a few deep breaths, a nice bath with candles and a LARGE glass of wine! Works for me everytime! Haha!

[Jamiebridges123]

In over 11 years of riding, I have never been asked to take my helmet off when filling up. I've seen some stations where there was a sign stating that helmets must be removed but I've always ignored them and it's never been a problem.

Yup same here.. Sainsburys, Newbury is my usual fillup

[metalangel]

Well, we managed a week or two without one of these threads...

I think my local Morrison's has a sticker as well saying remove the helmet. So I don't go there on the bike.

I tend to just use Tesco's pay at the pump these days anyway, that way I don't even have to get off the bike.

[the_lone_wolf]

not had many problems but i tend to go to the sensible stations

usually fill up when the light comes on anyway (on the trumpet that's 3l left) so the first station to demand i remove the lid will get the nozzle dropped on the floor, flipped the bird and a lost sale as i ride away

[fizzwheel]

I've never been asked, mind you unless I'm using the pay at pump then I always take it off when I go into fill up. I often got a thank you for taking my lid off from the cashiers behind the pump at the local station I used to use when I lived with my parents.

Just seemed to be the right thing to do. I wouldnt moan if I got asked to take it off. I never have, never will.

[kwak zzr]

one garage by me asked me to remove my lid before so i put the pump back in its holder and rode off, ive never filled up there again.

[TazDaz]

Very rarely bother taking my lid off and never been asked to either.

I usually have sunglasses on, so it's a pain in the **** having to take it all off just to hand over money!

[BanditPat]

I take my glove off to get my money out, isnt that enough. My lid stays on not get kicked around the forecourt by some blind cnut that managed to fall over it then complain. And i dont like to put 250 quid down where any one can take it

[thedonal]

I have never had any problems with this. If I have my breath guard on, I remove it before walking to the till- so my face is clearly visible to the staff.

I've walked in shops before (especially off licenses) and asked if they mind if I keep my lid on- they never have.

Sounds like you were up against a muppet. Let it be their bad day and not yours..!

[G]

I think I have only ever been asked once and it was after I had filled up, wish I had the cash to hand so I could have just put it down and walked out.

If there is a sign asking me to remove it I usual do before entering the shop, otherwise I leave it on.

[Dave20046]

middle finger up and drive off. If you've already started pumping and there's no signs carry on. Pay as normal if he kicks off calmly ask them if they want you to pay or not.

[Jamiebridges123]

middle finger up and drive off. If you've already started pumping and there's no signs carry on. Pay as normal if he kicks off calmly ask them if they want you to pay or not.

Will try that if it happens. I think we need to compile a list of good petrol stations and bad ones in the regional threads. :p

[Biker Biggles]

Well, we managed a week or two without one of these threads...

I think my local Morrison's has a sticker as well saying remove the helmet. So I don't go there on the bike.

I tend to just use Tesco's pay at the pump these days anyway, that way I don't even have to get off the bike.


As I said---Hitlers bike.:ncool::smt078

[yorkie_chris]

middle finger up and drive off. If you've already started pumping and there's no signs carry on. Pay as normal if he kicks off calmly ask them if they want you to pay or not.

If they've let you fill up and you've offered cash, if they refuse AFAIK you're within your rights to go "cheers for the free fuel" and bugger off.

[ThEGr33k]

Only once... Which is my many miles of riding isnt bad! :cool:

[metalmonkey]

Not this again!!!

No I have never been asked to take my Lid off, I have plenty of places to choose from to fill up. I have travelled all around the South never been asked.

I wear glasses so its a pain to take it off, in the winter its cold I have short hair.

In the stores I go to, where the people that work know me, they let me leave my lid on, they don't have a problem with it. But then thats something that happenes over time.

[xXBADGERXx]

Was on my way to the Wirral Egg Run and stopped off at the Petrol station on the A55 right before Buckley , filled up , walked in and was asked to remove my lid . I explained I had an Autocom system on to hear my SatNav , a Buff over my face to keep me warm and I aint taking my lid off , he opened his mouth and I said "No offence laddo but you have about a Thousand bikers coming through here in an hour , probably wanting to fill up and all of them are going to say NO" ........ he just shrugged and got very mumpy with me , I paid for my fuel and made a mental note "Don`t give those Buffoons my money ever again"

As I left , about 20 bikes all came in and queued up for fuel . I wonder what happened after I left ?

[Dave20046]

Will try that if it happens. I think we need to compile a list of good petrol stations and bad ones in the regional threads. :p
would be easier just to note the bad one's it's reasonably rare. Usually just jobsworth looking for a kick. Not had a pump and run in a while or had a bad day etc...

[-Ralph-]

In the early nineties there was a spate of armed robberies committed at petrol stations using a stolen big sportsbike as the uncatchable getaway vehicle and the helmets to substitute the balaclava.

Thats when the petrol stations started insisting on removal of helmets and back then if you didn't do it they wouldn't start the pump. No point in going somewhere else either as every petrol station was the same.

So I tend to my remove my lid anyway as it's an old habit. If I don't remove it I feel a bit like I'm being lazy and taking advantage of the fact most petrol stations nowadays don't bother or or don't like to ask (people have short memories).

There is no excuse for how rude petrol station attendants can be, but you do have to understand that many cashiers in high risk places such as bank, post office, or late night facilities such as off licenses or petrol stations live with the fear that one day sombody might stick a gun in thier face. It happened to a friend of mine in a Birmingham betting shop and she needed a fair bit of councelling and eventually had to find a different job.

So if they ask nicely, just take it off.

[Lou M]

The beauty of a flip lid, I've never been asked to remove. If I was asked then they would have an argument on their hands.

[ophic]

I took off my helmet to fill up once and proceeded to splash fuel in my eye. Now its helmet on and visor down - at least at the pump.

[FlyinCustard]

I never take the lid off, i've been told about once but didn't take no notice, although i do kinda make it obvious i'm going to pay by making a big thing of getting my wallet out.

[Bluewolf]

I've only been asked to remove my lid once and that was by a power-crazed security guard at one of those joint petrol station/Sainsburys Local places.

Mind you, he also had a go at me for sitting on the bike as I fuelled up (which I always do), for taking a mobile phone out of my pocket (I only wanted to check the time) in the forecourt and for not moving my bike out of the way so someone else could use the pump while I was paying.

So much power, so much influence! The non-stop, adrenaline-fuelled day of a Sainsbury's doorman! I bet he was a stallion with his missus that night...:toss:

[Dave20046]

:mrgreen:

[Thingus]

Pay @ Pump rox. I aim for them when i can.

I just lift my visor up if i have to go in.

[Dave20046]

Pay @ Pump rox. I aim for them when i can.

I just lift my visor up if i have to go in.
+1

[The Guru]

I wear glasses most times.. its a pain getting them off and on..

But so far had no problems with keeping helmet on.

[Alpinestarhero]

Well, its not the law, but if I ever get asked to remove my helmet...especialy when i really need fuel, I wont argue. Its a reasonable request if you consider that eprhaps some petrol stations may have had petrol theived by helmet wearing bikers

[Spiderman]

Living/ working in London means you come across this from time to time.
I place i went to the guy behind the window acted like he hadn't even seen me, i put the pump in and out of its holder a few times trying to get his attention....but nothing.

He eventualy gets on the tannoy and shouts at me "i'm not switching on pumps for bikes unless they pay first!"

So i put the nozzle...in the bin next to the pump, gave him the finger and casually rode out and went to the station up the road who had absolutely no problem with me or my lid :D

[Spiderman]

. Its a reasonable request if you consider that eprhaps some petrol stations may have had petrol theived by helmet wearing bikers

C'mon Matt, listen to what you're saying buddy. If they had been robbed by a car with false plates on it would they ask all car drivers to pay beforehand, or to leave a deposit before they fill up?

its discrimination, pure and simple.

If they'd been robbed by a black/yellow/orange or green person would they have the right to discriminate against anyone of colour?

Its not right to judge someone due to the behaviour of a minority of others who look the same way.

[Richie]

only been asked about 3 times.
Once I gave the Bird, and simply didn't go back to that garage.

Once I asked the cashier to remove some part of there clothing, She declined.
and one time I did it, I removed my helmet as I was hungry so bought a sandwhich.

[northwind]

I take mine off, it's just manners. But I'd expect manners back, if someone says "Please take your helmet off" then that's not too bad, if it's "REMOVE HELMET OR NO FUEL" as I heard once, they can get bent frankly.

I've never understood why some people think it's such a hardship to take your helmet off, mind.

[BanditPat]

I've never understood why some people think it's such a hardship to take your helmet off, mind.


Because you shouldn't have to put something you payed 300 quid for on the floor.

[Dave20046]

I get what you're saying but....why should you though?
I used to do it but it just made the whole thing more of a faff and eventually just thought there's no point. I can still go in with a lid on and be polite and friendly and have a quick transaction same as I can with it off.
Usually do the pay at pump shiz anyway.

[northwind]

Because you shouldn't have to put something you payed 300 quid for on the floor.

Then don't?

[svdemon]

I hope you reported the asian men for racial assault.

[BanditPat]

Then don't?


Where else are you going to put it? on your seat or tank so that when there's a decent gust of wind it ends up falling off. The only other thing is the floor.

[Dave20046]

Where else are you going to put it? on your seat or tank so that when there's a decent gust of wind it ends up falling off. The only other thing is the floor.
I used to put it on top of the pump

[BanditPat]

I used to put it on top of the pump

There all new pumps round here, there not big enough to rest it on :( and then remember you have to put it back on....

[Dave20046]

There all new pumps round here, there not big enough to rest it on :( and then remember you have to put it back on....
Well obviously leave it on your head but if you do feel the need to remove it that's where I used to leave it or over my wing mirror/handle bar so the wind won't blow it off.

[Woz]

Where else are you going to put it? on your seat or tank so that when there's a decent gust of wind it ends up falling off. The only other thing is the floor.


Out of interest, what do you do with it when you get off for a brew/fag/chat/stretch the legs break?

[BanditPat]

Out of interest, what do you do with it when you get off for a brew/fag/chat/stretch the legs break?

Dont smoke :] and if i get off for longer than about 5 minutes i'll fasten the chin strap and carry it, stop for something to eat i'll sit down to eat it and put it on the table or another chair

[northwind]

Hang it on the mirror, or put it on your gloves. Or hook your arm through it. It's not brain surgery.

[ibshort]

sv's have a place to hook the helmet to under the pillion seat i think?
________
Nikki18 cam (http://camslivesexy.com/cam/Nikki18)

[Dave20046]

sv's have a place to hook the helmet to under the pillion seat i think?
apparently so, even more of an F about though!

[Rhys]

Expensive or not it could get damaged, and also a helmet is required by law. If they provided somewhere safe then I would remove my lid. Sainbury's have already had to compensate one rider, after he was asked to remove his lid and dropped it.

[-Ralph-]

If they had been robbed by a car with false plates on it would they ask all car drivers to pay beforehand, or to leave a deposit before they fill up?

its discrimination, pure and simple.

It's not descrimination, it about identification. If they got robbed by a car driver, theres a good chance they got his face on camera whilst he filled the car. If the robber got out of the car wearing a balaclava do you think they would switch on the pump?

Sainbury's have already had to compensate one rider, after he was asked to remove his lid and dropped it.

Thats just compensation culture nonsense gone mad. He dropped the helmet not Sainsburys. In the three years I've had by lid I've never dropped it, I hang it on my right mirror every time I get off the bike, so long as the mirror is right in the crown of the helmet with the chin pointing down, it's going nowhere, if your still worried hang the chin strap over the mirror stalk, then it's definately going nowhere.

[Jamiebridges123]

If you fill up, it's not your face that's often used, it's your licence plate, so who cares if you show your face D:

[Dave20046]

could be a nicked bike/plate I suppose. But what are they going to do? If they think you're gonna rob them why ask you to take your lid off?!!

[BanditPat]

Thats just compensation culture nonsense gone mad. He dropped the helmet not Sainsburys. In the three years I've had by lid I've never dropped it, I hang it on my right mirror every time I get off the bike, so long as the mirror is right in the crown of the helmet with the chin pointing down, it's going nowhere, if your still worried hang the chin strap over the mirror stalk, then it's definately going nowhere.


He dropped the lid as a direct result of sainsurys discriminatory act though. My mirrors wouldn't support a helmet so no good for those and its right uncomfortable putting em on your arm. And then there's the inconvinience of having to take it off an put it back on which to show some 16 year old your mush which in my case might bring up questions like "how do you be so ugly?" or "do you scare children with that?" I dont think its worth it. Im happy going some where else with my money.

[Jamiebridges123]

I don't know why any fuel station would tell you to take your lid off..

I always fill up at Sainsburys and I kinda know the people in there, to the point where they don't bother asking me for the number and know to give me a VAT receipt without me asking. If they were to ask me rudely, or would, I'd just go to the manager "You know that I purchase all my fuel from you.. well no longer you discriminating little sh*t".. and I'd shop at Tescos up the road!!



Morale of the story is if they do, walk off and give someone else your custom.

[timwilky]

I do not remove my helmet, end of. I usually use pay at pump.

Only once have I need to say do you want my money or not. If I see a sign to remove helmets I ignore it as I do not want circumcising

[tanis34]

i've never had a problem but then i use a flip front helmet and i tend to use the same garages so they know me

[tinpants]

Well, we managed a week or two without one of these threads...

I think my local Morrison's has a sticker as well saying remove the helmet. So I don't go there on the bike.

I tend to just use Tesco's pay at the pump these days anyway, that way I don't even have to get off the bike.

How the hell would you know? You've only been here 3 weeks!!! :lol: :smt064


As a general rule I don't bother taking my lid off, but if I do take it off I have to be asked nicely (politely).

[Kilted Ginger]

Always remove my lid when going into pay, "pump no 3 PLEASE, THANKYOU, simple manners, same way as i remove sunglasses or earphones to talk to someone, so you can make eyecontact, and communicate properly with another human being who at the end of the day is only trying to do a thankless job. Really dont understand peoples opposition to remove lid, must take all of 12 secs, and if 12 secs of my time makes someone elses day a little easier or more pleasant then is 12 seconds well spent.

If you stop a stranger to ask directions do you stop your engine and remove lid, or scream at them like a lubatic???

[Jamiebridges123]

I pull up next to them.. "excuse me mate where's whatever".. "over there".. "ta cheers". :|

And for us with double d-ring helmets (PITA!!!) taking off your gloves.. undoing the helmet.. putting it on your bike while you're filling up.. carrying it inside.. fumbling about with your wallet with one hand...then having to put helmet and gloves back on is a pain... only time it's worth it is if you're with a mate and you both are filling up, and you're going to be 5-10 minutes.. to cool down :)

[Kilted Ginger]

I've a double D, and i'm taking gloves off to pay anyeay.

[Thingus]

I've got a double d. Taking it off with glasses and thick winter gloves... finding a place to put all that while i find my card...


**** that.

[Jamiebridges123]

I've a double D, and i'm taking gloves off to pay anyeay.

Some of us don't, well I say that, my summer gloves I don't bother... just it's too much hassle..

As for the whole job thing, well they applied for that job. Frankly, sitting behind a pump and saying "hi" and selling a few bottles of coke can't be that bad.. I used to work in a supermarket and the only thing that was annoying was the people who wouldn't pack their own bags.. you don't get this problem there I'm guessing. :cool:

[northwind]

THat's exactly what I mean though, it's barely an inconvenience. Unless you don't have opposable thumbs or something.

[Rhys]

It is an inconvenience, gloves and helmet in hand digging around for money. They will not ask for a Hijab to be lifted.

[-Ralph-]

If you fill up, it's not your face that's often used, it's your licence plate, so who cares if you show your face D:

A court can't convict you of theft by virtue of the fact you are the registered keeper of a vehicle used in the robbery, they can't get fingerprints off a nossle handled by hundreds of folk a day either.

Most vehicles used in fuel thefts will either be stolen, wearing a false identity, or not correctly registered with DVLA anyway, so what good is the license plate?

Ideallly, they need a CCTV picture of your face to use as evidence in court.

[Jamiebridges123]

A court can't convict you of theft by virtue of the fact you are the registered keeper of a vehicle used in the robbery, they can't get fingerprints off a nossle handled by hundreds of folk a day either.

Most vehicles used in fuel thefts will either be stolen, wearing a false identity, or not correctly registered with DVLA anyway, so what good is the license plate?

Ideallly, they need a CCTV picture of your face to use as evidence in court.

Point taken sir... but that brings into question people wearing Hats.. hoodies, who have long or "big" hair, etc.

[-Ralph-]

If you fill up, it's not your face that's often used, it's your licence plate, so who cares if you show your face D:

Point taken sir... but that brings into question people wearing Hats.. hoodies, who have long or "big" hair, etc.

Hence why the folk with flip up lids don't seem to have the same hassle.

[lukemillar]

Always remove my lid when going into pay, "pump no 3 PLEASE, THANKYOU, simple manners, same way as i remove sunglasses or earphones to talk to someone, so you can make eyecontact, and communicate properly with another human being who at the end of the day is only trying to do a thankless job. Really dont understand peoples opposition to remove lid, must take all of 12 secs, and if 12 secs of my time makes someone elses day a little easier or more pleasant then is 12 seconds well spent.

If you stop a stranger to ask directions do you stop your engine and remove lid, or scream at them like a lubatic???

After the last thread on this, I thought I was the only one with ^^ this opinion!. Glad to see there are a few others out there with manners!

[parkinmj]

I usually remove my helmet but if im in a rush i make a point of parking my bike with the registration plate facing them and their cameras. I know its not infallable but usually does the trick.

[Jamiebridges123]

Hence why the folk with flip up lids don't seem to have the same hassle.

But I mean if you're a hooded youth, who now tends to wear a baseball cap AND a hoodie, and walk looking at the ground, I don't see them getting shouted at over the Tannoy. Thankfully I haven't been told to remove my lid, and it doesn't matter if you have your lid on, you can still be "Hi", "thanks", etc... I personally leave the chatting up to the Friday night out personally, but each to their own. :rolleyes:

[lukemillar]

or scream at them like a lubatic???

Out of curiousity, what is a lubatic!? Porn sets and too much coffee spring to mind!??

[-Ralph-]

But I mean if you're a hooded youth, who now tends to wear a baseball cap AND a hoodie, and walk looking at the ground, I don't see them getting shouted at over the Tannoy. Thankfully I haven't been told to remove my lid, and it doesn't matter if you have your lid on, you can still be "Hi", "thanks", etc... I personally leave the chatting up to the Friday night out personally, but each to their own. :rolleyes:

OK, I'm clearly not going to succeed in changing you mind, as you say, each to their own.

[grh1904]

Is this removal of helmets more of a southern thing, I've never had it up here in the north.

I've seen it once when I was in a petrol station down south on my way to France. I'm in the garage shop queueing up to pay for my petrol, a biker is filling up with his helmet on.

He walks into the shop, and by now he is clutching a tenner in his one ungloved hand.

As he approaches the desk the cashier barks out something about removing his helmet, the biker just stands impassively in the queue. The cashier barks it out again, this time the biker points to the side of his head ans says sorry can't here as got ear plugs in, can she say it again.

Cashier then asks/barks out for a third time for biker to remove helmet, and he asks why.

The cashier says it's so the CCTV can register his face incase he does a runner for not paying.

The biker steps forward, slams the tenner down and walked off.

I, and the others in the queue were actually laughing as he did this, I suppose they all thought the same as me. Hardly gonna do a runner by walking into the shop with money clearly visible in his hand.

Also what was laughable was the sheer stupidity of the cashier, insisting the helmet was removed AFTER filling the bike, AFTER entering the shop, and AFTER joining a queue to pay with money as I said clearly visible.

If asked to remove my helmet, I probably would, unless I knew there was another garage a mile down the road.

[Dave20046]

Also what was laughable was the sheer stupidity of the cashier, insisting the helmet was removed AFTER filling the bike, AFTER entering the shop, and AFTER joining a queue to pay with money as I said clearly visible.

Exactly, there is no real reason to do it. You do feel a bit compelled to anyway (or I do) out of courtesy but decent staff really don't mind. Just be friendly with them and have a quick transaction and that's all they're bothered about.

I'd only remove my helmet if there were signs planted about the station or maybe if they asked nicely.

[hooters]

reading some of these comments some of you have the same view as me, but the others just to let you know i have manners but i will not remove my lid when i am getting shouted at and RUDELY asking me to remove it i dont think so.
i would hae gone to another petrol station but i was running on fumes and didnt know how far the bike would take me.
the lastest trick in luton is lil thieving gits nick your lid so you have to leave your bike, then come back and nick your bike aswell.
so there is no way i am taking my lid off

[Owenski]

There is a small privately owned petrol station up by Berkinshaw fire station (some of the locals may know it opposite the golden fleese pub) they used to always come out and request that a helmet must be removed if you want fuel. Even the flip up front helmets must be taken off completely.
After an arguement with them about not wanting to its too much effort they agreed in future it would be ok becuase they know I'm a paying customer. I dont use the garage very often but when I do I give them a wave and the pump turns on no need to remove the lid. - Winner.
You could ask them to take note for the future so you dont have to mess around or use a supermarket where you can pay at the pump.

[Milky Bar Kid]

Guys, totally understand why some of you feel it's discrimintation when they wouldn't ask an asian female to take off her veil but I used to work in a petrol station.

It was our rule that the pump didn't get switched on for ANY bike (even if we knew them) unless the rider removed their helmet. I for always stuck to this rul and I never had any problems. Now, it may be that I didn't get problems because I was polite but I do think that you guys are making a HUGE deal out of nothing.

As KG said in his post previousluy, it's only polite.

It's not an easy job working in a place like that. You continually have people coming in shouting at you and being rude to you and most of the time, you're on your own with a large quantity of cash, not a lot of fun late at night.

Yes there will always be jobsworths that are rude but for those that ask politely, its just common decency to take it off.

[Thingus]

I went to Canada to stay with a friend who worked at a Shell petrol station. They introduced a rule which said that anyone who wanted fuel in British Columbia must pay for the fuel they want before filling... so if you wanted to brim it, you had to pay like 100 bucks, fill it to 85.70 or whatever and come back in again for your change.

I still think taking my lid off is hassle, but being on the receiving end of some of those comments was pretty mad (i tried to be mr nice english person helping out girl behind counter). They did it because someone was killed for trying to stop a guy in a CAR from leaving without paying.
So it ain't just bikers :p

[Kinvig]

I went to Canada to stay with a friend who worked at a Shell petrol station. They introduced a rule which said that anyone who wanted fuel in British Columbia must pay for the fuel they want before filling...

Same system in parts of Kazakhstan & Russia (the proper bandit country parts!). If you were extremely lucky you'd get change.

[Owenski]

Thats the benifit of paying at the pump, you put your card in and you pin before filling. It allows you to fill with £59.99 of fuel if you use less your card is charged with less. Its brilliant you dont even need to get off the bike if you wallet is in your jacket!

[Spiderman]

It is an inconvenience, gloves and helmet in hand digging around for money. They will not ask for a Hijab to be lifted.

The Hijab or any other similar item is a RELIGIOUS thing and as much as biking is like a religion to all of us, wearing a lid off your bike is not required by any law, moral, legal or religious so lets not cloud the issue with this stuff please folks.
Rhys i'm not having a pop at you mate, i just feel it needs to be clarified.


Most vehicles used in fuel thefts will either be stolen, wearing a false identity, or not correctly registered with DVLA anyway, so what good is the license plate?


Yet 99% of petrol stations in city's now have ANPR cameras that run the plate thru a database of known offenders, so its them who feel that numberplates are important

Guys, totally understand why some of you feel it's discrimintation when they wouldn't ask an asian female to take off her veil but I used to work in a petrol station.
Ah that old chestnut again. Please see what i said above.

It was our rule that the pump didn't get switched on for ANY bike (even if we knew them) unless the rider removed their helmet. I for always stuck to this rul and I never had any problems. Now, it may be that I didn't get problems because I was polite but I do think that you guys are making a HUGE deal out of nothing.
If i know a garage has this policy i avoid it. The reason some of us are making an apparently huge deal is that its the random ones who have no signs up and then are very rude about the whole thing. Rudeness begetts rudeness IMO.


It's not an easy job working in a place like that. You continually have people coming in shouting at you and being rude to you and most of the time, you're on your own with a large quantity of cash, not a lot of fun late at night.
Car drivers would come in to pay for fuel and come in and be shouty and rude to you for nothing? :confused: I dont get it. I thought you were polite to everyone and didnt get any problems, as you said above?

And as said before, no-one is forced to work in petrol stations so if they find they cant cope with dealing with the general public and all their different personalities they should stop working with the general public, not expect everyone to become the "ideal customer"

Yes there will always be jobsworths that are rude but for those that ask politely, its just common decency to take it off.
But isnt is also common decency to not treat strangers like potential criminals because of the gear they wear? Isn't it common decency to get to know your customers and be nice to them when they return and value their custom?

I could get about £60 worth of fuel in my car and no-one challenged me about taking off sunglasses or baseball cap as i filled up, yet most bikes will only get a max of about £12-15 in so whats the bigger loss?
Its a pontless bit of descrimination.

I was in a queue and the young chav in front had his lid balanced on top of his head as is the fashion...and a fiver in his hand to pay for his fuel. He gets to the front and the cashier still says "take that off, i'm not serving you until you do!". :roll:

Well durrr, the guy already has the fuel and he didnt try and ride off, is in here wanting to give you his money yet he's still treated like a crim????
I was in the car that day and suited and booted so the fella behind the till didn't expect me to stand up for this kid and give him a piece of my mind. The kid was over the moon of course :)

[Milky Bar Kid]

Ooops, I forgot, Spiderman is always right.

I do not find it difficult working with general public as my job clearly proves.

[-Ralph-]

Also what was laughable was the sheer stupidity of the cashier, insisting the helmet was removed AFTER filling the bike, AFTER entering the shop, and AFTER joining a queue to pay with money as I said clearly visible.

As we know I'm in the helmet off camp, but that ^^^ is pretty daft. Lock the stable door after the horse has bolted.

[yorkie_chris]

The Hijab or any other similar item is a RELIGIOUS thing and as much as biking is like a religion to all of us, wearing a lid off your bike is not required by any law, moral, legal or religious so lets not cloud the issue with this stuff please folks.
Rhys i'm not having a pop at you mate, i just feel it needs to be clarified.

Some religious law of savages has no legal bearing in this country.

It's a double standard whichever way you look at it.

[Milky Bar Kid]

Some religious law of savages has no legal bearing in this country.

It's a double standard whichever way you look at it.

Fully agree.

[Kinvig]

Some religious law of savages


Ouch! Bit harsh.

[yorkie_chris]

So I find forcing your missus to dress like a ninja to be the action of a savage... Harsh but true.

[Spiderman]

Ooops, I forgot, Spiderman is always right.

I do not find it difficult working with general public as my job clearly proves.

I am? Where does it say that? I'm simply sharing my exeriences and opinions.
And just cos you wear the uniform doesnt mean you have people skills does it? Ive met way too many in your line of work who dont and since ive never seen you do your job i reserve my judgment on that.

Some religious law of savages has no legal bearing in this country.

It's a double standard whichever way you look at it.

i'm not sure i get get you YC, its a double standard allowing people to pracise their religions here or asking bikers to remove their lids but not religious gear?
I'm confused by your post.

[Kinvig]

So I find forcing your missus to dress like a ninja to be the action of a savage... Harsh but true.

Different cultures, different customs.

[Kilted Ginger]

if you need to see someones face before they fill up, then you have to see everyones face, +1 to YC.

[Milky Bar Kid]

I shall leave this discussion before you manage to turn it into another police bashing thread.

My whole point in my post was, if the cashiers are polite, is there any reason to be rude and refuse to do it?

[yorkie_chris]

i'm not sure i get get you YC, its a double standard allowing people to pracise their religions here or asking bikers to remove their lids but not religious gear?
I'm confused by your post.

It's a double standard claiming a security risk because of one group not having their faces fully visible while allowing another to have their faces entirely covered.
The specifics of the group do not matter.
Yet you seem to infer that "religious law" allows this.

Also, if I worked at a petrol station and made all women who dress like that pay before service. How long before a claim of racism and me getting the sack? 15-20 minutes maybe?

[Thingus]

Jeez don't let this turn into a religious thread i ****ing despise them. They go on forever and hardly ever reach a conclusion.

I think the point about money involved is fair enough, we pay less than 15 quid and get treated like we're gonna steal a TV or something.

It's just as bad in tesco. I get looks every time i go in, i've got a backpack (they tell us to take them) and they look at me weird... my helmet is off, naturally, but i just feel uneasy anywhere i go. It's hard with this being my only method of transport now.

[fizzwheel]

but I do think that you guys are making a HUGE deal out of nothing.

My thoughts exactly. I just take mine off, because it seemed polite for me to do so.

Seems to me that some people go looking for things to moan or complain about or just like being difficult so they've got something to moan about.

[Owenski]

Spiderman, I still hope you told this kid he was a tool for having it sat on his head.
I've seen far too many of these p***ks helmets fall off and then they just put it back on and no doubt ride with it despite it been dropped many times.

[ophic]

Seems to me that some people go looking for things to moan or complain about or just like being difficult so they've got something to moan about.
Like petrol stations, for example. They keep moaning about all these bikers who don't take their lids off... :p

[ricky]

its discrimination, pure and simple.



im not reading all 10 pages of this thread but this comment is what i agree with

Why is it that others can wear cloths over there faces and can sue for it.

last time i got asked to remove my lid in a bp garage after i had filled up with about a fiver and they turned the pump off when i went in to find out what the problem was, and to be told to remove my lid i replied its against my human rights to be asked to strip off any of my clothing to be served, and as you have offended me i will not be paying for the petrol i have already and walked out. never did hear back from them was about 8 months ago.