attendant: can i help you, sir?
sam: yes, i've been sitting here for a few minutes.
i'm waiting for someone to put gas in my car.
attendant: i'm sorry, sir. but this is the self-service pump.
sam: self-service?
attendant: yes. you must fill up the car yourself.
sam: are you serious?
attendant: yes. are you traveling here?
sam: yes, i'm from taiwan. i never heard of a gas station where you fill up your own car.
attendant: in america, most gas stations are like this.
sam: do i really have to do it? i don't know how.
attendant: well, since this is your first time, i will do it for you.
but next time, if you want a full-service gas station, you should look at the sign.
sam: what sign?
attendant: under the sign for the gas station,
there will be a smaller sign that says “self-serve” or “full-service.”
and some gas stations have both.
but if they have both, some pumps will be self-serve and some will be full-serve.
you have to look at the signs.
sam: i see.
attendant: what kind of gas does this car take?
sam: i don't know. it's a rental.
attendant: i will give you premium unleaded. alright?
sam: sure, why not?
attendant: that is the pump you are in front of.
sam: is it expensive?
attendant: it is the most expensive.
sam: well, i don't want it then. can i move to another pump?
attendant: yes, i can give you regular unleaded. but you have to back up the car a little.
sam: give me regular unleaded then. i will back up.
can you wash my windows for me?
attendant: i'm sorry, sir. this is not a full service gas station.
i will help you fill the gas, but we don't wash windows here.
sam: really? well, i guess i have to get used to it.
加油站服务员:先生,需要服务吗?
山姆:我在这里等一阵子了。
我在这里等人帮我加油。
加油站服务员:先生,抱歉,这里是自助加油站。
山姆:自助?
加油站服务员:是的,你必须自己加油。
山姆:真的吗?
加油站服务员:是的,你是来旅游的吗?
山姆:是的,我从台湾来,我从未听说过需要自己加油的加油站。
加油站服务员:美国大部份的加油站都是自助的。
山姆:我真的必须自己来吗?我不知道怎么弄。
加油站服务员:既然你没弄过,那我先帮你好了。
下一次如果你想到服务加油站,应该注意一下招牌。
山姆:什么招牌?
加油站服务员:在加油站招牌底下,
有一个小标示写着“自助加油站”或“服务加油站”。
有些加油站两种都有。
如果是两种都有的,自助式和服务式的加油管道会分开。
你要看标示。
山姆:我懂了。
加油站服务员:这辆车加什么油?
山姆:我不知道,这是租来的。
加油站服务员:我给你加优质无铅汽油好吗?
山姆:好啊。
加油站服务员:你前面的加油管就是了。
山姆:很贵吗?
加油站服务员:这是最贵的。
山姆:那我不要这种,我可以换别的吗?
加油站服务员:那我给你加一般无铅汽油,但是你要把车后退一点。
山姆:那么给我一般无铅汽油好了,我后退。
你可以帮我洗一下窗户吗?
加油站服务员:先生,抱歉,这不是服务加油站。
我只能帮你加油,无法帮你洗窗户。
山姆:真的?我想我要慢慢习惯才是。