"Please see attendant"

I like gas filling stations where I can pay at the pump and go. I do not like to go see the attendant.

This morning I went to fill at my favorite truck watering hole. It is my favorite because it is close to home and the price is generally competitive. Mostly, I like it for convenience. I can pay at the pump and go.

Sometimes when I ask for a receipt, at the end of the pumping, the pump will say, "See the attendant for a receipt." I never do that. I figure they want me in the store so I will buy something. If I wanted to see the attendant, I would have pulled up in front of the store and not at the gas pump.

But... this morning, I swiped my card to get started pumping and the message was "Please see attendant." As I have said, I don't like, don't want to see the attendant. I like to pay at the pump and go. As far as a receipt goes, I don't need one. But, needing gas, I figured I might as well.

Who knows why the message comes on. Maybe my credit is overdrafted, which I know it wasn't. Maybe my card is expired, which I know it wasn't. Maybe the AMEX company went bankrupt, which I did not think happened. So, I needed gas. Might as well see the attendant.

I go see the attendant. I told him I was asked to see him. After identifying which pump I was coming from, he tells me my card was declined. No way, I said. He asked for my card, he swipes it, asks how much I want, I say $30, he gets approval and gives me a receipt to sign. Hummm. Why couldn't I do that at the pump? I says.

Turned out the attendant wasn't real good with my language, so he calls the manager. He probably sees the fire coming out my eyes. Well, the manager comes.

The manager tells me there is a problem with the reader at that pump. I say, Well, maybe I should find a station where the pumps work. He says, Please don't.

Anyway, story ended fine. I went back and pumped. I had asked in the store, Now what happens if I don't use all the $30? The manager assured me he would give me a refund. He follows me to the pump.

In the process, I apologized for the fire in my eyes, but I explained, which he had probably heard before, how accusing "Please see attendant" was. He seemed to understand. All went fine thereafter.

I was pleased with the attention the store manager gave to me, seeking to recover a customer. I liked that. Good manager. I still don't like the message "Please see attendant."

Maybe they could simply say on the machine, "We have a problem with our reader. Please see attendant or go to another pump."

Well, that is how life is, sometimes. Gotta learn better how to roll with the flow, as the saying goes.