I was walking to the rail station in Atlanta years ago and this guy drove by and offered a ride out of the blue. It was at the Trials and I thought this guy was a coach that may have known me. I said no and that I was fine but he really insisted.
I got in.
He started asking questions about where I was from and what I was doing. I then realized he didn’t know me at all. Next he asked me if I was gay. I said no, I’m straight. He said he was bisexual. I was scared and wanted to jump out if the car. He eventually let me out when I showed no interest. I was totally relieved when I got out. Very, very scary.
This resonates. Back in the late 60's, I'd hitchhike from B'ville, NJ to a YMCA summer camp in North Jersey, where I was a counselor, once a week. Did that for two summers. Then in the '70s, I'd hitchhike between NY and Williamsburg, VA. That lasted until I was arrested outside Richmond for "trespassing on the interstate." State Trooper picked me up and booked me downtown. A scene out of a bad movie. Jail cell, toilet, tin cup of water, and a slice of baloney between two pieces of white bread. At one point, they emptied the bag I was carrying in the middle of the station floor. It was like, what the hell! "Hey, look! This kid's got books!"
"Well yeah, I'm a college student." They said pay the $25 fine or see the judge on Monday. "Well, if I had the money, I wouldn't be hitchhiking." Anyhoo, I called my Dad and he had friend come, pay the fine and give my bus fare for NJ. Thought I was going to catch hell when I got back. Fortunately, the folks were having a party and it all ended well. Have not hitchhiked since then.
A young model picks up an old woman standing at the roadside in the rain. But her act of kindness has terrible repercussions when the old woman turns out to ...
I've done a good amount of hitchhiking (hundreds of rides/thousands of miles) and still do occasionally. Have also picked up hitchhikers.
Hitchhiking and picking up hitchhikers has an undeserved bad reputation. Yes it can be dangerous/unsafe (as are most things), but most hitching encounters occur without incident.
If a person wanted to harm others, there are easier and simpler way to do it instead of standing out in the elements next to roads breathing exhaust for hours while getting passed by hundreds of cars while trying to get a ride.
Drivers can evaluate hitchhikers to help decide whether or not to pick them up. The more upstanding hitchhikers are dressed more neatly and clean. They have a manageable amount of gear (maybe one pack) and not all their worldly possessions., dogs, etc. They are actively trying to solicit a ride. They are standing up, facing traffic, trying to make eye contact with you, and have their thumb out and/or a sign with a destination on it. They are standing on the edge of the road in a location where there is room for drivers to pull over, including past them if there is a lot of traffic. They are frequently looking behind them to see if anyone has stopped. When they do see someone that is stopped they hustle (jog or walk quickly) to the car.
There should be an exchange through the passenger side window when the hitchhiker reaches the car. The driver should roll down their window some, or maybe motion for the hitchhiker to open the door. This verbal exchange is a chance for both the driver and hitchhiker to evaluate each other. A chance to communicate about where each plans/wants to go and further evaluate each other based on the conversation and nonverbal clues.
Some potential red flags from the evaluation that may result in either the driver or hitchhiker potentially rejecting the shared ride include: no clear destination, dirt/odor/filth, weapons, slurred/impaired speech/behavior/cognition, alcohol/drugs, etc.
Yes hitchhikers should be evaluating potential rides/drivers and it's a red flag for a driver when they do not. I have turned down numerous rides while hitchhiking.
It seems like it is becoming harder and harder to hitchhike, but it's a positive restorative exchange to receive or offer a ride. It's a way to affirm that most people are good, kind, generous, interesting, etc.
Not sure why the downvotes. We literally have an app that pairs people who need rides with people who are willing to provide rides. Why would you stand by the road with your thumb out when your phone can find you a ride in 3 minutes?
Not sure why the downvotes. We literally have an app that pairs people who need rides with people who are willing to provide rides. Why would you stand by the road with your thumb out when your phone can find you a ride in 3 minutes?
Not sure if serious, but uber costs money, hitchhiking doesn't ..that's the point.
I lost my license years ago for speeding so I always pick up hitchhikers on my cross-country runs. Just before any breath testing stations on Waze, I just switch seats with them and have them go through. A real LifeProTip for all you guys out there
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