Petrol/Gas/Fuel ETIQUETT
 

Do you give your friends a couple of bucks if they drive you around alot, or do you just expect them to do this because they are your friends. What are your opinions and rules on this matter?

I always offer money to someone who's driven me somewhere even if its only a onetime thing

Depends on the circumstances. If they invite me to ride with them, I don't. If I suggest riding together or ask them to take me somewhere, I do. If it is carpooling, the cost should be split.

Gas, grass or ass!

Just kidding.

With my close friends, I sort of figure that it'll all come out even over time. If I'm going somewhere and somebody rides along with me, I wouldn't expect money from them. If somebody drives me somewhere out of her way, though, I'd offer them some gas money.

I offer cash depending on distance and time. If we're riding somewhere that is over half an hour away, I will put up for gas and tolls. If it is a short distance, I work something else out with the driver, like lunch or dinner. Are you being taken advantage of almostaugust? Or are you hitching too many rides with your friends? There are some people in my life who I know will never make donations towards travel expenses. They make up for this shortfall in other ways.

oh that made me laugh....I havent hard that in AGES!!!

i don't expect them to share costs... the wife appreciates it, but also doesn't expect it.

if they offer i may or may not accept it depending on the situation.

When we were kids we would give eachother cash for rides, but now it's no big deal.

[QUOTE=Ripsaw] Are you being taken advantage of almostaugust?

Well, heres the story. I have this friend who actually is George Costanza from Seinfeld. He never contributes, doesnt own a car and ive been driving round on trips for us for 5 years or so. He just doesnt believe in it. Its really frustrating. Its not that i need the money or anything, its just that he doesnt even acknowledge the service at all. He believes its my choice to be owning a car, therefore my responsibility. People have kicked him out in the past for his behaviour. The majority of these trips are over half an hour, so its not peanuts. I think his family brought him up to be like this, its so frustrating. I know it sounds petty, but after 5 years of it, its so annoying.

I was just wondering what the general rules toward this were.

Yeah this is what its like with ALL of my other friends.

By that time I would have been very pissed if any buddy of mine never offered anything in return. I would seriously be questioning 'how he was raised' if he didnt realize how much he owed you for being there for him like that. I am probably one of the nicest people when it comes to things like this and am always there for anyone, but at some point it goes from being nice to being taken advantage of in my opinion. Its not like I would take offered money or other things in most situations, it just nice to know someone at least recognizes what you are doing.

Why are you still friends with this guy? I'd refuse any more rides. Or at least broach the question of pay and see what he says.

Hmm. Interesting. I don't think I ever considered that. I sometimes drive my friends around. sometimes it's the other way. None of us have ever offered to pay some gas money. I think nobody does it in my culture. It's not even considered.

If someone offered to pay me, I would most definately wave him off. It just seem too strange and trivial. Perhaps it's a asian thing. Not sure though.

However, if you borrow a car from someone else, it's considered good manners to top up the gas tank til it's full. Even if the tank is not full when he lend you the car.

Here's my take. If someone goes out of their way, I offer. Most people say no, but it's nice to offer. If I do that for someone, I would decline, but most times people do not even offer! There's a group of us that go to lunch regularly, and I always drive. Started because the others had two seat trucks, and I have a car. They have never offered, or anything. This kind of pisses me off, but I've put up with it for so long, I'm stuck.

I think it depends on the length of the trip. We would often share cars with friends if we are going somehwere together - and if I was going anyway, then I think there is less onus on them putting up. If you are (for example) going for a weekend out in the country, it is more than likely that the passenger would pay a large proportion of the petrol money, or that everybody would pony up.

There are two ways to offer money to someone:
1. "If you want me to give you some money, uh, let me know.."
2. "Hey, here's $X for gas."

People who use the first way to offer money, are usually doing it out of politeness (but will usually give money if asked). They expect the other person to also "be polite" and decline their offer.

I don't ask/take gas money, unless I'm really going out of my way for that person, or if it's a long trip. It really depends on the situation..

It's always hard if they say "Well, you're going that way anyway, so giving me a lift won't cost any more, so therefore I don't have to pay." Technically that may be true, but anyone who thinks that way can get a bus instead, because a bus is going that way too.

If you've got plans to drive somewhere with a few people, including the tight-ass friend, make sure you time it so that you have to get gas on the way. Pull in to the gas station, ask everyone for $5 and if he refuses to pay then take him home.

If you want to do it straight out then when you pick him up, just say straight out (but friendly) "I've been spending a lot on gas lately, giving people lifts, so I'm going to have to ask for everyone to chip in. Is that cool?" And if he says no, then no problem. Just no ride for him.

with gas prices so high these days I'd definately ask him to ante up since its something you do for him often

I know that when a group of us go party we ALWAYS buy the gas for the DD and dont let them take no for an answer lol

It all depends. If a friend gives me ride in town, no, unless that ride is an everyday thing. But if we are on a trip I'll fill up the tank a couple of times during the ride.