Car Wash
japra | May 14, 2009 | Comments 21
While I was at the petrol station today, I decided to get a wash to clear the pollen off my car. Did you know that in England, the garage doors on the entrance and exit of the car wash come down when the wash starts? You are basically sealed in the car wash. I had forgotten this.
I’ve only used a petrol station car wash here once before–last year sometime, I think. I now remember I thought it strange that the doors shut tight for the duration of the wash. It didn’t bother me then because one wall of the car wash was made of glass and let in light.
Today, however, when the doors slid down and the wash started up, I had a moment of panic. What a bad surprise! There was one small door near the car wash entrance marked “Emergency Exit”. It had a bit of glass in it, not that it helped much on this overcast day. Other than that, the car wash was rather dark. I couldn’t wait for the wash to finish!
Sigh… Every day, you learn something new.
Filed Under: Blog • Expat Life
About the Author: JaPRA is an expat Texan living in England with her husband (Mr. DJ), their 17-year old daughter (Roxi), and their dog Trudy.
That is pretty creepy. I think I would have started hyperventilating.
Alyson, I was NOT happy about it.
petrol.he.he.
English people probably say “Gas” when they come here and then laugh hysterically.
Julia, when in Rome ;-)
yes, you’re truly converted, it’s ‘petrol’ now! Well, at least you have a nice clean car for a bit.
Christine, yes it’s clean… and of course it rained! That’s ok, though, because there was all sorts of grime on my car that needed to come off!
I might have had a panic attack.
Kat, that was the closest I’ve come to having one. I wonder how many people do! It really was a bad surprise :-(
OMG, that would have freaked me out! Don’t like closed places, no way, no how. Couldn’t even make it that far into Cheop’s Pyramid because I panicked!
Jane, after yesterday, I wondered if I could go into an enclosed area again. But then I remembered I’ve been in underground caves and mines, so I think it’s really just enclosed dark places without a lot of ventilation that stresses me out. I’d love to see the Pyramids one day. I’ll be sure to bring my own torch and maybe a personal fan! ;-)
Justification for not washing my car!
Well, luckily we don’t need to do that very often here in the UK. I’ve seen people wash their cars with one bucket of water! I still can’t figure out how they do that.
Isn’t it amazing how even in a country that seems somewhat related to us (not like visiting Thailand or China) there are still so many differences in the details that you’re constantly being surprised? I love it!
Tricia, when we moved here, I thought it would be a piece of cake to adjust because, well, they speak English in England, right? Boy was I naive! ;-)
Yes, every day there’s something new. And most of the time that new thing is absolutely, fabulously wonderful!
Oh my – there is no way I could tolerate that! I would stop breathing, I am sure!!
Emm, I am apparently claustrophobic in dark, sealed up places. I had no idea! ;-)
Panic while washing car, is rarely happen, lucky you’re safe.
Thanks, SpeedFlux :-)
The first time I went through a car wash with my son (27 years ago!), he totally freaked out. I wasn’t expecting it.
Laurie, the car washes can be quite loud, can’t they? I actually used to love them. It’s the sealed in a dark place I can do without ;-)