Opinion | Editorials
Fill it without attendant's help
Self-service may make commercial sense in an age of soaring energy costs.
- Gulf News
- Published: 23:59 August 7, 2008
Petrol stations may soon be self-service, ending the attendant era. There is no denying that one of the little pleasures in life is to be able to drive into a station, yet stay in the comfort of your car while it is filled up with petrol and the windscreen washed. But for the attendants this is a tough job which sees them out in the heat, breathing in fumes and often having to deal with drivers in a hurry. Self-service, if it actually comes, may make commercial sense in an age of soaring energy costs, but many drivers will miss the attendant's attention.
With all forms of transport becoming more automated, there is little scope for human contact. Self-service may be the way of the future and may make excellent economic sense, but the role of the petrol attendant being overtaken by other methods will not be a cause for blowing the horn.
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