Louisiana, We Have to Stop Doing This at Gas Stations

Lafayette, Louisiana (KMDL) - The other day I had a conversation with a coworker about something I've been noticing more frequently at gas stations around Acadiana.

At first, I thought it might just be a me thing as far as this behavior I've been noticing more and more at gas stations.

But now I'm starting to see other people posting about this issue on social media.

I've noticed it happening at gas stations in Lafayette, Broussard, Youngsville, New Iberia, and even in Rayne.

If it's happening in this many cities, certainly it's happening everywhere in Acadiana.

Maybe you've noticed it too, hopefully you aren't doing it, and we need to talk about it.

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Why Do People Sit In Their Cars At Gas Pumps While On Their Phones?

A couple of months ago I was at a Circle K close to work to get gas, and as I pulled into the parking lot I realized all of the pumps were full.

No big deal, it happens right?

I needed to get some things inside anyway, so I just pulled into a parking spot and went inside. It was shift change so things took a bit longer than normal for me to get the counter, pay for my things, and go on my way.

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Again, no big deal, it happens.

After being in the store for about 10 minutes, I got back into my car and noticed 3 of the 4 gas pumps were open, but there was still the same car parked at the 4th pump.

As I pumped my gas, I happened to notice the one car still at the pump wasn't getting gas at this point, the driver was just sitting in her car.

Once I was done I pulled out of the parking lot and noticed the driver was just sitting in her car at the pump doing things on her phone.

Hey, none of my business but, could it be possible she was doing that when I first pulled in to get gas, occupying a gas pump long after she had already got her gas and was just sitting there playing on her phone?

Nah. That would be seriously self-absorbed and kind of rude, especially given that all of the available gas pumps were occupied when I pulled in to get gas.

Maybe the driver had run out of gas and money and was waiting for someone to come buy her some gas. Certainly a possibility.

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I let it go and made fun of myself for even noticing it in the first place.

But then...

Just a few days later I noticed the same thing happen at another gas station in Rayne.

Luckily there were plenty of open pumps, so the fact that this driver sat in their car at a pump playing on their phone for 10 minutes or more didn't inconvenience anyone.

Unfortunately, I've noticed this happening 2 more times, both times pumps were full and other drivers were waiting to get gas while the person in front of them at the pump was cluelessly glued to their phone.

Clearly, texting and driving isn't something anyone should do, so if I have to find something nice to say I'll say good for them for possibly answering texts while parked at the pump, and not doing it while driving.

READ MORE: Louisiana, Should You Move Your Vehicle After Pumping Gas?

But, there are parking spots at gas stations where people can responsibly do this and not inconvenience others needing to get gas.

For a while, I thought I was the only one noticing this problem until I recently saw this Facebook post.

"Entitlement is leaving your vehicle parked at a gas pump AFTER you're finished putting gas - blocking anyone else for putting gas for 20 MINUTES!!! And then when she finally got in she's sitting there looking at her phone!"

So, what do you think about all of this?

Is this something you've noticed happening at gas stations around Lafayette and Acadiana?

Is this a problem, or am I just being petty?