You won’t believe what Aussies are doing at petrol stations—this American was left speechless!
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It’s not every day that a simple trip to the servo makes international headlines, but that’s exactly what happened when an American visitor, Russell Richardson, took to social media to share his jaw-dropping experience at an Aussie petrol station. And let’s just say, his reaction has left both sides of the Pacific scratching their heads!
Russell, a marketing expert and car salesman from the US, was left absolutely gobsmacked by what he witnessed at an Australian petrol station. In a TikTok video that’s racked up over 1.7 million views, he marvelled at a practice that’s second nature to us Aussies: filling up your tank before you pay.
‘One of the most wild things about being in Australia is their gas,’ he exclaimed. ‘I go in and ask the guy, 'How do I pay?' Because in America, you just pay and it starts pumping.’
Imagine his surprise when the servo attendant told him to simply fill up first, then come inside to pay. ‘You are trusting people to fill up their car and then come in and pay, like an honour system,’ Russell said, still in disbelief. ‘I am blown away that people of Australia do not steal gas.’
He even quizzed the attendant about theft, only to be told, ‘Not that I reckon.’ For Russell, this was almost unthinkable. ‘People in America would steal petrol left, right and centre if we had an honour system,’ he said. ‘What’s gone wrong with us in America that we can’t adopt a concept like this?’
A Tale of Two Systems: Trust vs. Technology
For our American friends, the idea of trusting customers to pay after filling up is almost unheard of. In the US, it’s standard practice to pay before you pump—either at the pump with a credit card or by prepaying inside. This system was introduced to combat fuel theft, which was becoming a costly problem for service station owners. The thinking is simple: no pay, no petrol.
But there’s an even stranger twist in the US: in New Jersey, it’s actually illegal to pump your own petrol! Only trained attendants are allowed to operate the bowsers, and station owners can be fined hundreds of dollars if customers are caught doing it themselves. Talk about a different world!
Is the Aussie Honour System Really That Safe?
While Russell’s video paints a picture of a nation built on trust, the reality is a bit more complicated. According to The Daily Telegraph, New South Wales alone recorded 11,673 incidents of fuel theft in the year leading up to June 2023. So, while most Aussies do the right thing, there are always a few bad apples.
And make no mistake—stealing petrol is a serious offence here. The penalties vary from state to state, but they’re nothing to sneeze at:
NSW, Victoria, NT: Up to 10 years in prison for fuel theft.
Queensland: Minimum of five years in prison for drive-offs.
South Australia: Up to five years for basic theft, or 15 years for aggravated offences.
Western Australia: Up to seven years in prison.
Tasmania: Fines up to $20,200 or up to one year in prison.
ACT: Fines up to $160,000 and/or 10 years in prison.
So, while the honour system is alive and well, there are some pretty hefty consequences for those who try to take advantage of it.
Why Do Aussies Still Trust Each Other at the Bowser?
It’s a fair question—why haven’t we gone the way of the US and made prepayment mandatory? Part of it comes down to culture. Aussies have long prided themselves on being straightforward and giving people a fair go. There’s a sense that most people will do the right thing, and for the most part, that trust is rewarded.
Of course, technology is slowly creeping in. Some stations, especially in high-theft areas or late at night, now require prepayment. But for many of us, the old system still works just fine.
A Bit of Nostalgia: Remember When Attendants Did It All?
For many of our members, this story might bring back memories of the days when you didn’t even have to get out of your car! Attendants would fill your tank, check your oil, and even clean your windscreen—all with a friendly smile. While those days are mostly gone, it’s nice to know that a bit of trust and community spirit still lingers at the local servo.
Have Your Say!
We’d love to hear from you, members! Have you ever had a run-in with a dodgy customer at the bowser? Do you think the honour system is still working, or is it time for Australia to follow America’s lead and make prepayment the norm? And for those who remember the full-service days, what do you miss most about them?
You can watch Russell's video below:
Credit: @russflipswhips / TikTok
Share your stories and thoughts in the comments below—let’s keep the conversation rolling!
Russell, a marketing expert and car salesman from the US, was left absolutely gobsmacked by what he witnessed at an Australian petrol station. In a TikTok video that’s racked up over 1.7 million views, he marvelled at a practice that’s second nature to us Aussies: filling up your tank before you pay.
‘One of the most wild things about being in Australia is their gas,’ he exclaimed. ‘I go in and ask the guy, 'How do I pay?' Because in America, you just pay and it starts pumping.’
Imagine his surprise when the servo attendant told him to simply fill up first, then come inside to pay. ‘You are trusting people to fill up their car and then come in and pay, like an honour system,’ Russell said, still in disbelief. ‘I am blown away that people of Australia do not steal gas.’
An American TikTok star has been left shocked after discovering a common Aussie act found nowhere in the US. Credit: Joshua Niyogakiza / Unsplash
He even quizzed the attendant about theft, only to be told, ‘Not that I reckon.’ For Russell, this was almost unthinkable. ‘People in America would steal petrol left, right and centre if we had an honour system,’ he said. ‘What’s gone wrong with us in America that we can’t adopt a concept like this?’
A Tale of Two Systems: Trust vs. Technology
For our American friends, the idea of trusting customers to pay after filling up is almost unheard of. In the US, it’s standard practice to pay before you pump—either at the pump with a credit card or by prepaying inside. This system was introduced to combat fuel theft, which was becoming a costly problem for service station owners. The thinking is simple: no pay, no petrol.
But there’s an even stranger twist in the US: in New Jersey, it’s actually illegal to pump your own petrol! Only trained attendants are allowed to operate the bowsers, and station owners can be fined hundreds of dollars if customers are caught doing it themselves. Talk about a different world!
Is the Aussie Honour System Really That Safe?
While Russell’s video paints a picture of a nation built on trust, the reality is a bit more complicated. According to The Daily Telegraph, New South Wales alone recorded 11,673 incidents of fuel theft in the year leading up to June 2023. So, while most Aussies do the right thing, there are always a few bad apples.
And make no mistake—stealing petrol is a serious offence here. The penalties vary from state to state, but they’re nothing to sneeze at:
NSW, Victoria, NT: Up to 10 years in prison for fuel theft.
Queensland: Minimum of five years in prison for drive-offs.
South Australia: Up to five years for basic theft, or 15 years for aggravated offences.
Western Australia: Up to seven years in prison.
Tasmania: Fines up to $20,200 or up to one year in prison.
ACT: Fines up to $160,000 and/or 10 years in prison.
So, while the honour system is alive and well, there are some pretty hefty consequences for those who try to take advantage of it.
Why Do Aussies Still Trust Each Other at the Bowser?
It’s a fair question—why haven’t we gone the way of the US and made prepayment mandatory? Part of it comes down to culture. Aussies have long prided themselves on being straightforward and giving people a fair go. There’s a sense that most people will do the right thing, and for the most part, that trust is rewarded.
Of course, technology is slowly creeping in. Some stations, especially in high-theft areas or late at night, now require prepayment. But for many of us, the old system still works just fine.
A Bit of Nostalgia: Remember When Attendants Did It All?
For many of our members, this story might bring back memories of the days when you didn’t even have to get out of your car! Attendants would fill your tank, check your oil, and even clean your windscreen—all with a friendly smile. While those days are mostly gone, it’s nice to know that a bit of trust and community spirit still lingers at the local servo.
Have Your Say!
We’d love to hear from you, members! Have you ever had a run-in with a dodgy customer at the bowser? Do you think the honour system is still working, or is it time for Australia to follow America’s lead and make prepayment the norm? And for those who remember the full-service days, what do you miss most about them?
You can watch Russell's video below:
Credit: @russflipswhips / TikTok
Share your stories and thoughts in the comments below—let’s keep the conversation rolling!
