Friday, December 28, 2007

Stop your engine when pumping gas... Please!

We live in a litigious society. Instead of supporting the use common sense or taking responsibility for people's own actions, our society condones, and maybe even subtly encourages, suing people. So, it doesn't surprise me that companies will put up signs that seem like they should be common sense, but are there to protect the companies from lawsuits. We've all seen the warning labels on Styrofoam cups of coffee that you get at McDonald's that say, "Warning: Contents are hot." Well, duh... it's coffee. It's supposed to be hot. You're supposed to be careful when drinking hot coffee.

This morning, while I was at my local gas station pumping gas, a guy pulled up behind me, got out of his car and started to pump gas while his engine was running. Now, 99.9999% of the time, nothing happens. My issue is this: Is it such a big deal to turn off your engine while you're pumping gas? Is it a question of fuel economy? Is it laziness? Is it ignorance? Is it his way of rebelling against the establishment? Maybe he should visit the ESD Journal web site and read the various stories about static electricity causing fires at gas stations. If static electricity can cause a fire, what do you think an idling engine can do? Maybe he was waiting to be nominated for a Darwin Award instead.

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Why Target is better than Wal-Mart

In Burke, VA, a Northern Virginia suburb, there's a Wal-Mart within 1/4 mile of Target. I dread going to Wal-Mart. While Wal-Mart's prices are slightly better than Target's, there are so many reasons NOT to go to Wal-Mart. In no particular order, here are a few:

  • Wal-Mart NEVER opens enough checkout lanes.
  • Wal-Mart ALWAYS looks as if a hurricane has blown through its aisles.
  • When was the last time Wal-Mart waxed its floors?
  • Can you ever find anything that you need at Wal-Mart quickly and easily?
  • Can you ever find a Wal-Mart employee when you need one?