Monday, December 04, 2006
Big Knobs on Gas Pumps
Winter floated down to Minnesota, dusting us with a half-inch of fluffy, dry snow. Fun to shovel because it's not back-breaking. You could practically blow it off the sidewalk if you wanted to bend over far enough to do so. If it's going to be cold, we'd better have snow, is what I like to say. Snow makes the cold bearable. Don't like the wind, though. You know how people are always saying, "It's not the heat, it's the humidity"? In Minnesota, it's not the cold, it's the wind because it leads to windchill.
I had to get gas this morning. Gas stations tend to attract wind. So, I've got the cold and I've got the wind and now I've got to take off my gloves in order to push the tiny keypad buttons to start the pump. Whoever designed these keypad buttons didn't take Minnesota winters into consideration. We need to be able to operate those pumps without removing our protective gear. Any good Minnesotan knows that once the temp drops below zero and the windchill is factored in, fingers will start snapping off in a matter of seconds. (Okay, I'm exaggerating, but not much.) Here's an idea. How about some large colorful knobs on the pumps that we can push without taking off our mittens? They'd be good for the arthritic, too. Or for those who've lost fingers from frostbite caused by taking our gloves off at the pump.
I had to get gas this morning. Gas stations tend to attract wind. So, I've got the cold and I've got the wind and now I've got to take off my gloves in order to push the tiny keypad buttons to start the pump. Whoever designed these keypad buttons didn't take Minnesota winters into consideration. We need to be able to operate those pumps without removing our protective gear. Any good Minnesotan knows that once the temp drops below zero and the windchill is factored in, fingers will start snapping off in a matter of seconds. (Okay, I'm exaggerating, but not much.) Here's an idea. How about some large colorful knobs on the pumps that we can push without taking off our mittens? They'd be good for the arthritic, too. Or for those who've lost fingers from frostbite caused by taking our gloves off at the pump.
Labels: gas, idea, minnesota, snow, wind, windchill, winter
