when i was younger (and im only 27) i loved that i could pump my own (diesel). now i am like you get your hands all dirty!!! (the diesel pumps are always all oily, much worse than the gas pumps). I still have the option, which is nice. and of course when im driving down the turnpike and theres 20 car long lines, i get to pull right up to the empty diesel pump, or more likely i am not stopping at all because im going 450 miles on a tank on 12 gallons
with regards to credit/cash - i think its OK for them to charge +3% , I am still getting 5% off with my gas card. I was always under the impression that charging more for credit was against the merchant agreement but clearly not.