Hitchhiking, picking up hitchhikers chat thread

[Joilet]

I looked up on www.google.com/ hitchhiking myths which then links to websites that basically claims that it is a myth that hitchiking is way overly dangerous.



I myself have never picked up any hitchhikers nor ever hitchhiked at least not yet.

[Joshua Farrell]

Not all hitchhikers are bad people, and not all people picking up hitchhikers are bad. Yet with everything, both as the hitchhiker and the person picking them up, you are putting yourself in potential harms way, because you never know if the other person will do something to you.

[:~:Sarapha:~:]

I've never hitchhiked, or picked up one. I've never actually seen one, tbh. I think it's probably a rarity these days, with the surge of personal phones on a person at all times.

[Retread]

Aug 4, 2020 10:19:08 GMT -8 Joilet said:

which then links to websites that basically claims that it is a myth that hitchiking is way overly dangerous.

I suppose it all depends on what you consider to be 'way overly dangerous'.

When I make decisions, I consider the benefit, what's at risk, and the probability.

For instance, there is an inherent benefit to walking around, above ground. One of the risks is: a part might break off an airplane and land on my head, killing me. That's a serious consequence! However, the probability is extremely low. So I take walks without a second thought.

The benefit to thumbing a ride, is getting where you want to go in a somewhat timely manner when you don't have other options. You could be killed, raped, or mugged by the person offering you a ride. The probability is fairly low. It's more likely you'll get a ride from a normal person than from a predator. But the probability FAR greater than a part breaking off an airplane and falling upon you.

Most hitches don't result in disaster. But your life and/or well-being is definitely at risk. I would never suggest hitchhiking is safe. If you're one of the rare few who had things go horribly wrong, you might not be alive to read this post!

[NWRP Staff]

I've been a hitchhiker on several occasions, and picked up hitchhikers on several occasions. Once you've done it yourself, you are more likely to do it for other people. Thus, it isn't really as scary as you think -- there is actually already a sort of unspoken community out there for it on the road. Furthermore, never had a bad experience. The people I've rode with have always been pretty chill. Definitely nothing dangerous. Although I always make sure to have a weapon/plan in case things go the wrong way (and also, for goodness sake's, use common sense and listen to your instincts). 

Additionally, hitchhiking is more accepted in countries other than the United States so there is that too. But I'm talking about my experiences in the US.

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Aug 4, 2020 12:08:06 GMT -8 Joshua Farrell said:

Not all hitchhikers are bad people, and not all people picking up hitchhikers are bad. Yet with everything, both as the hitchhiker and the person picking them up, you are putting yourself in potential harms way, because you never know if the other person will do something to you.

Yeah sometimes it's also the person picking you up that's the bad one.

[ZandraJoi]

I know people used to hitchhike more decades ago. I personally never did, never wanted to, & never picked up anybody lol & as others have said, most have cells so people are not stranded like we used to be.

[wildmaven]

There's no one answer to whether or not you should hitchhhike or pick up someone who is hitchhiking. There are some really bad people out there, looking for the perfect target for some awful things.

I have never hitchhiked, but I did give a guy a ride whose car had broken down. Turned out he was a very high level executive at a casino and my stopping saved him from being late to a very important meeting. He told me to come in whenever I wanted and he'd comp me dinner, drinks, etc. but I never did. I had seen the car break down and it was a very well-traveled road.

I have also stopped to give a ride to a woman with kids and groceries in the middle of an unexpected downpour in NY.

Other than that, I'm not in the habit of picking up complete strangers who are just hanging out on the side of the road. Too scary.