Clerk at gas station

cjames431

cjames431

Joined
Oct 17, 2014
Messages
839
Location
Tacoma, Wa
Bike
2010 ST1300
I stopped for gas on the way to work and went inside to get a receipt. I was told by the clerk that by law I am to remove my helmet so that my face will be visible to the camera. Has anyone else heard this before?
 
The gas station by my house as a notice on the door to remove you helmet, but flipping up the chin bar seems to have been acceptable. I think this is a company policy as opposed to a law though. Most gas stations don't have that notice and the few I've walked into have never said anything. Don't usually need to go in with the pay at the pump stations nowadays.
 
I wear my modular helmet (face up) into convenience stores all the time. I've never had anyone tell me to remove my helmet, in any state I've done this in, which is most of the lower 48, although not including WA.
 
I had a gentleman tell me to remove my helmet in a gas station in Yuba City. I asked if it was a law and he replied that it was company policy. To me it's not a problem to let the proprietor breathe a little easier. They have a dangerous job as far as I'm concerned.
 
I would never go into any business w/full face helmet on for a couple reasons. It's just polite and you're less likely to be seen as someone hiding their identity in order to commit a crime.

I think a modular helmet provides enough exposure to be acceptable but I would still remove it myself.
 
Last edited:
I keep my full-face non-flip helmet on at my local gas station (but they know me).
However, I do _always_ take it off at my local bank before I get to the outside door.
 
Mellow said:
I would never go into any business w/full face helmet on for a couple reasons. It's just polite and you're less likely to be seen as someone hiding their identity in order to comit a crime.

I think a modular helmet provides enough exposure to be acceptable but I would still remove it myself.
Click to expand...

I don’t normally leave it in when entering a store for the same reason. When I stop at a gas station and the pump doesn’t provide a receipt then I will leave it on.
 
cjames431 said:
I was told by the clerk that by law I am to remove my helmet so that my face will be visible to the camera. Has anyone else heard this before?
Click to expand...

Full face or modular? I doubt it's a law in your state but that should be easy enough to verify one way or the other.

My buddies always remove their helmets at fuel stops just to get out of them. Dealing with my sunglasses and liner (and maybe earplugs) I just flip up the front. I've never had that happen or seen a requirement yet but there's always a first time.

Even if it's just company policy there's not much you can do about it. Fuel elsewhere? Not always possible. Maybe carry cash in small bills and change. Try for the perfect pump (Seinfeld Amex commercial) then go in and put the cash on the counter and leave?

But since you only wanted a receipt it would have been easy enough to say 'here ya go'. Of course if you required some Slim Jims Cheetos Twinkies and a Gatorade that would have been a different matter.
 
ST Gui said:
Full face or modular? I doubt it's a law in your state but that should be easy enough to verify one way or the other.

My buddies always remove their helmets at fuel stops just to get out of them. Dealing with my sunglasses and liner (and maybe earplugs) I just flip up the front. I've never had that happen or seen a requirement yet but there's always a first time.

Even if it's just company policy there's not much you can do about it. Fuel elsewhere? Not always possible. Maybe carry cash in small bills and change. Try for the perfect pump (Seinfeld Amex commercial) then go in and put the cash on the counter and leave?

But since you only wanted a receipt it would have been easy enough to say 'here ya go'. Of course if you required some Slim Jims Cheetos Twinkies and a Gatorade that would have been a different matter.
Click to expand...

I wear a full face. I did try googling but came up empty. Normally, I would remove but on the way to work and then putting earplugs back in, head sock on, glasses, and chin strap.
 
I remove mine most of the time now before I enter. Once it seemed like the counter guy for some reason had his hand on something made of shiny metal below the counter as I approached so I remove mine now usually.

And I have heard it is a law somewhere some time or another.
 
cjames431 said:
I wear a full face. I did try googling but came up empty. Normally, I would remove but on the way to work and then putting earplugs back in, head sock on, glasses, and chin strap.
Click to expand...
Plus you look better all covered up.......:eek:. You coming over for STOC-TOBERFEST..????
ToddC
 
Very topical here is AUS. There have been reports on ADVRider (AUS page) of some servce station attendants refusing service, ie. switching off the pumps until a rider has removed his / her helmet. Very divided views on this matter.

I always remove my helmet - courtesy, comfort (I've often been riding for two or three hours and could do with a break), common sense (to me) .......
 
Down here in Georgia it is unlawful to cover your face with a mask or anything else ie helmets. I wear a modular so if it's a pump and go I've never had a problem with lifting the chin section.
Besides your poor head needs a break anyways.
 
How many people have been asked to leave their helmet at a courtesy desk or someplace and not carry it in the store ,I have had it a couple of times and always ask for a $1500 receipt for it .
 
In CA years and years ago there was a statute making unlawful to wear a mask but one of the elements was being an effort to disguise your face. So halloween trick or treaters didn't have to go to jail. If clerks freak over a helmet I wonder what would happen if a woman walked in wearing a burka and hijab.

And along with your open polyester shirt and gold chains you could wear a necklace of IR LEDs. Maybe line the brim of a ball cap with them. LOL
 
I cross the Canadian/American border almost on a weekly basis. With a modular helmet and a dark shield on it, I put up the shield well in advance of the crossing. Once in a while, the border patrol will ask me to take off my prescription glasses if it's sunny out and they go progressively tinted. Never have I had to take off my helmet.
 
I don't think it's a massive issue but I would never take off my full face helmet automatically in any store. If I was hot it would come off, otherwise probably not.
Some other headgear has already been discussed, but what about baseball caps, cowboy hats, deerstalkers and woolly hats in the winter?
I also occasionally get asked to remove my helmets at border control, sometimes I don't. Some border controls are more than happy for individuals to pass through whilst helmet attired.
I think the days of taking your hat off to be polite has probably passed, along with riding horses, snuffing candles before bedtime and sending children up chimneys. It might not be a good thing it has, but it has.
Upt'North.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom