FORMAN (AP) - Arden Barglof says high gasoline prices have been hitting his business just as hard as they hit his customers, to the point where he started limiting gas.

In Grafton, station manager Mike Beaudoin says some of the language used by customers at his station gets downright nasty.

North Dakotans have been coping with gasoline prices above the $3 a gallon mark, though they dropped below that price in some cities Wednesday.

Darlene Fortune of Fargo was surprised to find she was limited to 5 gallons at Barglof's Kwik Stop station in Forman last weekend.

"I was really kind of upset by the whole thing," Fortune said.

By limiting sales, Barglof said, he can limit how much gas he needs to buy each week.

"It's just our own economic situation here, is what's causing the limit," Barglof said. "I can buy all the gas I want. I just don't have the money to buy all the gas I want."

Grafton Square station manager Mike Beaudoin said some customers have been taking their frustrations over higher prices out on his employees, by using nasty language. Workers reported swearing, insults and even a customer who talked about seeking grief counseling.

"They feel that the workers and myself, people who own gas stations, are in control of this, and we have no control over it," Beaudoin said. "We pay the same prices that you guys do. I pay. I don't get any special discounts or anything like that."

Small town gas stations are struggling, he said.

"As the price goes up, our margin goes down," he said. "We're just surviving."

He told KXPO radio in Grafton that he was asking customers to be a little kinder.

"You can get a lot more response out of kind words than negative and harsh words," he said.

"Please don't take it out on my help."

Barglof said he began limiting gas purchases about a week ago, when gas prices went over $3 per gallon. Gas at his station reached $3.26.