They used to call them service stations. Today, I’m not sure a person can find one. We used to drive into a service station and out an attendant would come running. We’d say fill it up and the attendant would go into action.

He’d start the gas, lift the hood, check the radiator, oil and battery. He’d close the hood and clean the windshield. Most likely the young man was still in high school and did odd jobs and clean up around the station when there were no customers.

Maybe it wasn’t that important of a job but it gave the kids a chance to build a work ethic. By the way, he could also build up a little cash for that all important weekend date.

The cost of gas got rid of attendants. We pump our own gas now. But it wasn’t just the gas but the minimum wage too. Can you imagine paying an attendant now. Hence, the job went away as many others like them.

Those smaller jobs that were good for teenagers to break into the labor market have become ever more rare.

Some might actually like that. I’m not going to say if that is good or bad. I’ll let you you make up your mind. Just figured I would call it to your attention.