Would you pick up a hitchhiker?
 

Hello,

I’m a twenty something hitchhiker. I’ve stuck out my thumb in 49 states, 3 provinces in Canada, and 15 states in Mexico. After college, I immediately started traveling and lived on the road for almost 4 years. It was an incredible experience. Now, off the road, I’m exploring Internet Marketing as a means to continue living life on my terms.

I will bankroll my Warrior Forum membership and other Internet Marketing expenses by offering an article writing service to Warrior Members, which I will announce in a few days.

My question to you today is “Would you pick up a hitchhiker and why?” Extra points to any who’ve held out their thumb.

Re: Would you pick up a hitchhiker?
 

I've held out my thumb, but it was a long time ago. I have
also picked-up hitchhikers. The last one was quite a few
years ago. Don't really see them often, rarely actually.

The last one I picked-up was a guy hitching on a nasty
hot and humid day. I stopped because the weather was
so bad. The heat index was probably approaching 110.

Turned out he didn't have a car and worked in the kitchen
at a restaurant. So I gave him a ride to work.


Ken

Re: Would you pick up a hitchhiker?
 

I picked up someone about 4 months ago. It was late at night, on a lonesome stretch of highway, and he had run out of gas. No cell coverage - he was in some trouble.

I drove him to the nearest town (about an hour) so he could use a payphone and contact his family. He was angry that I didn't drive him to HIS hometown (about an hour further, completely out of my way). After he got out of the car, I noticed he had stolen my sunglasses and sunglass case.

I don't tend to pick up male hitch hikers, especially when I am alone, and now I really have to think about trying to "help" people. I also don't pick up hitch hikers when they look dirty - I don't want my car upholstery soiled. Since most hitch hikers are guys or dirty-looking, I don't pick up many hitch hikers.

I used to hitch when I was much, much younger, and with my friends - just around town. I don't think it is too safe to do nowadays, especially a woman alone. Maybe I am just paranoid, but I have met a shocking number of creepy people over the years, and I would hate to be trapped in a car with them, on my way to some secluded spot in the woods...

Re: Would you pick up a hitchhiker?
 

The last hitchhiker I stopped for was on the road between Miltown Malbay and Ennis ( Co Clare) a couple of years ago. She was a lady aged about 60 and well dressed. We stopped and she asked ' Would you be going to Ennis?'. Well we were but the car was already full so we couldn't take her. It appears that when she wanted to go into town she got herself ready and just stood outside her house and waited for a car to come along. I sometimes wonder what time she eventually got to Ennis - its not a very busy road.

Re: Would you pick up a hitchhiker?
 

I will give most hitchhikers a ride, not all, but most. That is only because of living in a rural area where you have a good chance of knowing or recognizing the hitchhiker.

I always remember my grandfather picking up hitchhikers. That was the norm back then, and he was a "people person". He was a businessman who loved to travel. One day, while out and about, he picked up a hitchhiker (certainly not the 1st time, as he helped many over the years) while driving, only to be held at knife-point. He was ordered to drive the hitchhiker to Quebec. Gramp's had survived the war and many other obstacles in his life - he wasn't going to give into this guy, so he simply pulled into a Police Station in the next town! Ya gotta give ole folks credit - they still know how to think on their toes! :D

Re: Would you pick up a hitchhiker?
 

I wouldn't today, but when I was just starting to drive and old enough to
drink, I picked up a girl hitchhiker and we ended up at a go-go bar.

Sadly, that's as exciting as the story gets. :D

Re: Would you pick up a hitchhiker?
 

I would not pick up one today except under special circumstances.
But I have hitchhiked in 49 of the 50 states.
I think its very sad that society hads gotten to the point that we have to be afraid to pick up strangers and do a kind deed.

Re: Would you pick up a hitchhiker?
 

In the distant past I might and I used to hitchhike myself in the ancient past from time to time.

I think it was that one monster who cut that (hitchiker) girl's arms off that cured me of both sides of the equation. Then of course there are the exploits of Ted Bundy related to his car much of the time.

Anybody male or female who picks up a hitchiker male or female is taking a huge risk. Predators thrive because good people try to do good things.

I would highly advise you to get on your cell phone and call a tow truck or the police if it is a rescue situation. Seriously, even rolling down your window to talk puts you at risk.

I guess I watch too many forensics/detective shows but I feel that it is healthier to be a little cautious than to be in denial.

safe and selfish.

Re: Would you pick up a hitchhiker?
 

That reminds me of something that happened not too far from here but
it was in Pennsylvania.

I guy out late at night, on a lonely road, stopped to help a young woman
who said her car stalled and wouldn't start. It was a setup. About 3 or 4
guys were hiding in the woods. They almost beat that guy to death. He
was so screwed up. They beat him with tire irons, and it almost killed him.

Then they stole his car and left him for dead. He survived, though. That
happened about a year and a half ago. Not long ago.


Ken

Re: Would you pick up a hitchhiker?
 

I always try to remember the ole adage - never judge a book by its cover. Now-a-days that ole adage is so complex, the best intentions can land you in a pile of deep sh*t.

Re: Would you pick up a hitchhiker?
 

I picked up a guy on the side of the road one day. When he got in the car I asked him the obvious question -

"Where are you headed?"

His answer (seriously), "The mental hospital."

This is about the time I thought to myself - they will never find my body.

I did actually drive him to the mental hospital and dropped him off. Fortunately he did not try to kill me.

Re: Would you pick up a hitchhiker?
 

Every once in a while I've picked up hitchhikers - but I had my trusty companion with me who would just put his head on the person's shoulder and growl mildly - then I'd tell them "you're okay, as long as I am, but I wouldn't do anything stupid". I never had a problem. One kid was around 16 - he said 18, but I'm not blind. I was on my way rockhounding. I had a gut feeling he was okay, so I stopped. While we were on the road he asked me "aren't you afraid to pick up a guy?" I asked him "How do you know that I'm not going to hurt you?" I might have a gun, I might be a lunatic and might just be getting ready to drive over the cliff into the river. Aren't you afraid of ME?"
The kid was stunned and I did scare him when I said that. "I never really thought of that before" was all he said.
I let him twitch for a few minutes then told him to relax, all's kewl. We had fun on the drive.

Without Munchie with me I'm not so sure I would pick someone up unless I was legally carrying a concealed gun. I like to be generous - but on the other hand, I'm not willing to risk my life just so some psycho can kill someone.

Re: Would you pick up a hitchhiker?
 

nope, no, no friggin' way, no how, not,never,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Re: Would you pick up a hitchhiker?
 

Sal, your story reminds me of the days I still had my two shepards.
Probably the most beautiful dogs I have ever seen.
They were given to me by a friend I worked with.
We both worked at a company where the owners had dobermans that came to work with them,and they let us bring our dogs to work with us. OK, the real story is my friend's dog,Chuka,had puppies and I sort of adopted them at work and ended up taking them both.
Anyways,back then they did everything with me,got up,went to work and came home.
I'd pick up people all the time back then because there wasn't anything I was afraid of with them with me.

Re: Would you pick up a hitchhiker?
 

Glad you were able to help that guy. You may have saved a life.

Not everyone that goes to a "mental hospital" is crazy - they are seeking treatment for whatever ails them. Too many people "fit" into a categorization which brands them for life without proper diagnosis.

I hate the term "Mental Hospital". I don't think it's a common term referenced now-a-days, albeit, I do hear the older generation use that terminology frequently. I don't think they can differentiate the old terminology from the new.

As the years go bye, things will improve.

Thanks for giving that guy the ride he needed!

Re: Would you pick up a hitchhiker?
 

He actually turned out to be a really nice guy! He was going there to get his medication regulated (and he was older; "mental hospital" was the term he used). Still, without knowing anything else about the guy, it was scary at first!

Re: Would you pick up a hitchhiker?
 

I hate to even say this because the thought is so bad but dogs can die too - one shot is all it would take, even for a big one - (of course they might sense this ahead of time and create hitchhiker hamburger, but I wouldn't bank on it).

Re: Would you pick up a hitchhiker?
 

Yea I wouldif she looked like HeySal. I really like her hat.

Then I would grill her on Internet Marketing. She looks like she
has a good soul.

Re: Would you pick up a hitchhiker?
 

Give yourself a pat on the back...it's well deserved. You were in the right place at the right time.

I'm not a religious freak....I'm more spiritual....but I do believe things happen for a reason.

Just think, if he has schizophrenia (which i think he probably does), he needs his med's adjusted. Many schizophrenics refuse treatment, as they think they are ok, and everyone else has a problem. So, by you giving him the ride, you helped him to get his meds adjusted, allowing him to carry on a somewhat "normal" sense of living.

The sad thing about this illness is the time of onset. It quite often shows its ugly head in teens around 16-18 years old. Victims of this disease can be completely "normal" one day, the next day, you don't understand what the heck happened to them. Many parents/friends just figure they got into some bad drugs.

This particular guy has a good chance of beating this if he keeps up with his treatments and continues to follow and allow his meds to be adjusted accordingly. I have seen many happy outcomes with patients that follow the regime. It's not easy, but if they persevere and are determined, they can beat this.

Again, thanks for giving him a lift!

Re: Would you pick up a hitchhiker?
 

I would be afraid in most circumstances to pick up a hitchhiker today, but when I was younger and the world felt safer, I did.

Re: Would you pick up a hitchhiker?
 

Pat - so which one would you shoot first, knowing full well that you could only kill one before the other one got you and not knowing what training/weapons the human and dog have? Criminals aren't usually too big on taking unnecessary chances. It's too easy to say "this is where I need to get out" and find an easier victim than to take a very bad risk.

Like I said - Munch was trained.......I won't pick someone up with Rickie because he's not trained for it.

Re: Would you pick up a hitchhiker?
 

Very easy to shoot twice in rapid succession.

... But listen we can go around and around on who gets off the shot first while you are driving. I would say it is whoever has the gun out first - but at any rate you wouldn't catch me messing with a Rot or anybody whose got a Rot.

My point was 'beware of foolish over-confidence' just in general - not directed at you particuarly.

Re: Would you pick up a hitchhiker?
 

Hey All,

Thanks for the responses. Here are a few tips in case you ever decide that you'd like to pick up someone who's thumbing it.

1. Appearance - Cleanliness on the road says a lot about a person. When I traveled, I always kept myself as clean cut and fresh looking as possible.

2. If you decide to pull over, always let the hitchhiker ask you where you are headed. It makes things much easier for them. If a person ever wants or tries to hop in your ride before they find out where you're going, drive away.

3. Most "professional" hitchhikers will stand on the side of the road with a goofy looking grin and they'll always make eye contact with you. If someone is standing there looking downtrodden, and staring into space, don't pull over.

Lastly, because we're usually smiling at you, even if you aren't going to stop, it's okay to smile back!:)

Re: Would you pick up a hitchhiker?
 

I probably would not pick up a hitch hiker unless she was smoking hot. :P :P ;)

Of course I'd probably end up being the guy that gets stabbed, robbed, mugged by a Trany...

Re: Would you pick up a hitchhiker?
 

I think I would pick up a hitchhiker because someone once offered me a lift when my car got a puncture and I didn't even ask.I believe you should help someone in need because you could be that person one day.