Hitchikers

[Arab Nights (imported)]

In my life I seem to swing between not having a pot to piss in and farting in silk. I was and probably will be among the hitchikers and rail riders when the pot wasn't/isn't there. Because of that, I always give rides to hitchhikers. I have never had a bad experience nor met somebody I told to get out of my car. The conversations are occassionally interesting. Nowadays it seems the only people hitchhiking are in and on the way to the Navajo Reservation. I have never picked up a Hopi, whose res is within.

What has happened to hitchhikers? Are they secretly killed by four square law abiding types? Have we become so prosperous that nobody ever needs to do that? Or so fearful that everybody is afraid?

Any thoughts?

[Elizabeth (imported)]

Very very afraid. I too have always picked up hitch-hikers. I remember one time with my brother in law, he was terrified of the hitchhicker. Don't you know you could get robbed and killed? I think the main reason one does not see hitchhickers as much these days is because a) people won't pick up hitchhickers and b)states have become very strict about letting pedestrians on highways.

I think it was just a special time and now that time is over. We have been cultured to mistrust everyone and to be suspicious of everyone. Because everyone wants to take away what you have and you should be afraid all the time. It's a fear driven society. People who are afraid don't mind losing their civil liberties and don't complain about working long hours for less pay. They expect government to be corrupt and they feel powerless to do anything about it. Because they are.

Elizabeth

[bobberlove (imported)]

Elizabeth:

I have been reading your posts and most of the time I think they are common sense, with nothing startling in substance, but thoughtful and necessary nonetheless. But your comment here really hit home an important point. People throughout history have lived under governments who inflict so much fear and propaganda that the populace simply goes along to get along. Then came the Happy Hippies. I was one of them and threw caution to the wind hitchhiking cross country a few times and picking up hitchhikers all the time. I never got hurt either...a few times, I got some good smoke. We must not believe everything the so called experts throughout the world tell us because some or most of the time some or most of the information is bullshit, from my experience.

We should always act innocently like children and not be afraid of the bullies, laugh in the face of danger, "go for it" when confronting a difficult experience, and from a personal standpoint, to Hell with phobias as they can be conquered.

[Dave (imported)]

I used to pick up hitchhikers 30 years ago but then, Pennsylvania State forbid hitchhiking on the interstates. That ended that.

I'm near route 70 and if you think you can stop on the side of that highway anymore you're crazy. A few weeks ago I counted 12 tractor trailers before I could get on the highway. Beast of a road. No one sane would hitchhike on it anymore.

[MacTheWolf (imported)]

I used to pick up female hitch hikers and, unlike the guys in the movies, I NEVER got any action.

[tugon (imported)]

I had my fill of hitchhikers one summer, literally. What great sport for a self destructive sex addict. Several were grateful for the ride and the release. Looking back I am surprised nothing serious happened.

I did also give rides to be kind or when travelling long distances alone. If I saw a young man in uniform with his duffel bag I would pick him up. Out of respect to the uniform and the fact he may have seen battle I did not bring anything up unless he hinted. I of course would not pick up a hitchhiker near a prison in an orange jump suit.

As a teenager we would hitchhike a lot. One time Walt and I hitchhiked to a camping area for a weekend campout. In a small town it was a great way to get around. Either a friend or parent of a friend would pick you up.

The worst story I have to tell was on my way home from Dallas, Texas. The drive was going to be about 19 1/2 hours long. I was bored and had been talking to myself longer than I care to admit. Then he appeared in the distance a young man with his thumb out. I stopped, he jumped in, and back on the road we drove. He turned out to be the biggest bore I had ever met. Not only was the conversation inane but he took off his shoes. I had never smelled foot odor like he had. After asking then demanding he put his shoes back on I hatched my plan. I explained that I see a store up ahead and I am thirsty. He mentioned he was thirsty. I asked if he would mind running in to get our drinks. When he asked what I wanted I said get me whatever you would like and grab some snacks. I gave him $5.00 and he put on his shoes and walked into the store. As soon as he was out of sight I threw his pack on the ground and took off like a bat out of hell. I thought he had two drinks some snacks and I had fresh air. A win, win situation.

[moi621 (imported)]

I was thinking about this the other day when I saw a few people standing at a bus stop. Bus service here is long, slow, and not frequent. I thought of offering a ride and what happened to just offering a ride to someone at a bus stop.

?

Moi

[Riverwind (imported)]

The last time I picked up a hitch hiker I was heading to the beach, and he had a surf board in toe.

That was more then 40 years ago. Today I would never pickup a hiker.

River

[Milkman (imported)]

I hitched hiked all around Europe when I was a student in France, and did a lot when I came home... I too have noticed the absence of hitchhikers .. I have never had a bad experience picking up anyone.. only once did I have sex with any of them

[Uncle Flo (imported)]

In the state where I live it is illegal to hitchike, illegal to pick up hitchikers and, on interstate highways, it is illegal to stop at the side of the road. There is, however, an older man who hitches every day on a nearby highway. When I was younger I picked up hitchikers and never had any problems (or felt threatened) with them but it was difficult for me to hitch a ride when I tried. I just realized a possible reason: I am quite large and, in those days scary looking. --FLO--