Gas Money Etiquette - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

fanforever1986 · 11-22-2006, 01:48 AM

Is it accepted to ask?
How do you ask?
When do you ask?

Being in the clear minority at college in having a car, it's become insanely expensive having to drive EVERY time my buddies and I go somewhere.

Dion · 11-22-2006, 01:58 AM

If they don't offer to share in gas expenses, they should be. They are taking unfair advantage of you.

I wouldn't be afraid to ask. And don't do it as your about to go somehwere. Casualy bring it when you and your buddies are having a few beers. Explain to them the costs you run up driving them everywhere and how it would be appreciated if maybe they could help share the costs.

If they refuse ask them how they like walking

JerzeeGirl · 11-22-2006, 02:06 AM

If they aren't offering then they should know better....mention it sometime when they aren't needing a ride so they can't think you are holding them hostage for gas money or they walk home.

When I was in college, if they were going my way in the course of reg activity I generally didn't worry about it but when we went out somewhere (for the night, shopping whatever) then I kinda expected to be offered and took it depending on if I needed it.

ken0042 · 11-22-2006, 08:30 AM

Calculate your costs, and make notes of how far you are driving.

For example my current car gets 27 MPG in the city. Breaking that back down to km per litre; it's about 10 km per litre. So that quick trip to the store that is 5 km away costs me about a buck (return.)

Have some numbers for your friends, and ask them to chip in; either each trip or on payday to slide you some cash. Back in high school when we were going to the movies every other night, everybody would chuck a loonie into my drink holder in the car. By the time I was in University my friends would tell me to pull into a gas station on the way home so they could buy me some gas.

Tell your friends. Let them know that you aren't trying to be a jerk, but this costs money.

BlackEleven · 11-22-2006, 08:35 AM

Be subtle about it. Put a styrofoam cup in the cup holder labelled "tips". If that doesn't work gradually decrease the level of subtlety until it reads "Give me money for gas, you *******!"

Bring_Back_Shantz · 11-22-2006, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

Calculate your costs, and make notes of how far you are driving.

For example my current car gets 27 MPG in the city. Breaking that back down to km per litre; it's about 10 km per litre. So that quick trip to the store that is 5 km away costs me about a buck (return.)

Have some numbers for your friends, and ask them to chip in; either each trip or on payday to slide you some cash. Back in high school when we were going to the movies every other night, everybody would chuck a loonie into my drink holder in the car. By the time I was in University my friends would tell me to pull into a gas station on the way home so they could buy me some gas.

Tell your friends. Let them know that you aren't trying to be a jerk, but this costs money.

I'm thinking that telling your buddies that this trip to the store cost $0.85, and that trip to 7-11 cost $1.20, is a surefire way to have your friends think you're the cheapest ******* on the planet.

Table 5 · 11-22-2006, 09:06 AM

pfft, if they are your friends you dont have to be subtle. tell those jerkwads they needs to pay up. make them feel like ****....that's what friends are for!

ken0042 · 11-22-2006, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

I'm thinking that telling your buddies that this trip to the store cost $0.85, and that trip to 7-11 cost $1.20, is a surefire way to have your friends think you're the cheapest ******* on the planet.

You're the one breaking it down to the nearest nickel. I was talking dollars.

The point is; know how much trips cost. My 5 km example was just to show that you'd be surprised how quickly you can rack up a 20 km trip; being that a quick trip to the store is actually 5 km. If the OP is doing a 20 km trip every day with his buddies, that's 40 km round trip. $4 per day every day suddenly becomes $120 per month.

But if a person tell his friends that he spends $150 per month on gas; they might think to themselves that they only go a short distance each time with him. Showing non-car owners how quickly it adds up helps them understand.

Yes, I'm now at the point in my life where nobody asks for gas money unless it's a road trip. But we all drive and we also split the driving; now it's more about who wants to drink and who's turn it is to be the DD.

Bring_Back_Shantz · 11-22-2006, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

You're the one breaking it down to the nearest nickel. I was talking dollars.

The point is; know how much trips cost. My 5 km example was just to show that you'd be surprised how quickly you can rack up a 20 km trip; being that a quick trip to the store is actually 5 km. If the OP is doing a 20 km trip every day with his buddies, that's 40 km round trip. $4 per day every day suddenly becomes $120 per month.

But if a person tell his friends that he spends $150 per month on gas; they might think to themselves that they only go a short distance each time with him. Showing non-car owners how quickly it adds up helps them understand.

Yes, I'm now at the point in my life where nobody asks for gas money unless it's a road trip. But we all drive and we also split the driving; now it's more about who wants to drink and who's turn it is to be the DD.

Fair enought, I just think there are more subtle ways of doing it than that.
I've never really had this problem as most of my friends usually offered.

Looger · 11-22-2006, 09:34 AM

gas grass or ass, nobody rides for free!

FireFly · 11-22-2006, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

now it's more about who wants to drink and who's turn it is to be the DD.

Perhaps you don't realize how much you're saving on alcohol by always being the DD! They are helping you out!

boobaloo · 11-22-2006, 09:58 AM

If they're men you'll probably have to be pretty blunt.

mykalberta · 11-22-2006, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fanforever1986

Is it accepted to ask?
How do you ask?
When do you ask?

Being in the clear minority at college in having a car, it's become insanely expensive having to drive EVERY time my buddies and I go somewhere.

For me it depends, if I am the one who initated the driving and others come along then no they dont have to pay - if they want to go somewhere then yes they should be the ones paying.

MYK

Crazy Flamer · 11-22-2006, 12:06 PM

I don't know if I'd ask for gas, but if you're going out somewhere, like for a few beers, make sure they buy you a few bevvies (only a few!!!) and maybe some wings or something. That would work as a trade off too.

But don't let your friends take advantage of you. If they continue to, I would stop calling them friends.

ken0042 · 11-22-2006, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crazy Flamer

I don't know if I'd ask for gas, but if you're going out somewhere, like for a few beers, make sure they buy you a few bevvies (only a few!!!) and maybe some wings or something. That would work as a trade off too.

That brings up a good point. Make sure before you ask that you aren't getting something in return. Like maybe the one guy always lets you do laundry at his house, or another person always makes food for you or something.

Andrew · 11-22-2006, 12:39 PM

yeah i know what you mean. It gets ridiculous paying for gas. Especially when you drive lots. I fill up my car 3x a week most weeks (a minimum 2) and drive a lot of people around. 35 bucks a tank x 3 is 105 dollars a week. per month, x 4 is 420. Thats why i got rid of my truck it cost 2x the amount to drive the same distance as my little ciivic. Makes a big difference when you drive lots of clicks like i do. 800 bucks a month on gas is alot more than 400. People that don't drive dont' realize how much gas costs.

I drive my girlfriend around lots cuz she doesn't drive. I get her to chip in for the gas cuz its getting expensive. Nothing wrong with that when you do the math!
Just ask nicely. You're making their life easier. If they refuse tell them take the bus to meet you so they should be appreciative!

MrMastodonFarm · 11-22-2006, 12:42 PM

When the gas tank is getting low, get the person in the passenger seat to lean over. Point to the E on the empty.. tell them to give you money to make it swing to the other side, or he can swing his ass out the door.

albertGQ · 11-22-2006, 01:45 PM

The only time I charge for gas is when we do roadtrips.

Nufy · 11-22-2006, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Looger

gas grass or ass, nobody rides for free!

Damn !!!! Beat me to it.....

My Uncle used to have that as a Bumper Sticker on his Van back in the 70's...

Flashpoint · 11-22-2006, 03:24 PM

Are you a girl? Are your friends girls?

If the answer to both of the above is "no", pick them up, drive to the nearest gas station, and then ask them to pitch in. They will not only "get it", they will probably be happy to oblige given that you are transporting their bum asses again.

If the answer to either of the above was "yes" then I have no idea. Girls are irrational beasts. The fairer sex is a mystery.