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When I was a teen, it was very common to hitchhike and to pick up hitchhikers. I did not do it myself.
That is, until . . . About 10 years ago, I was in my 40s and was on a church picnic at a large park. My friend's daughter had gone for a walk in the woods and had been gone quite a while. My friend and my sister and I went to look for the daughter. It was a terribly hot and humid day, and we walked and walked and . . . got LOST! So we walked and walked some more. We finally ended up out on a county road and started walking back toward the park. We were still more than a mile away. Eventually, a small red car with a young man driving and two young boys in the back seat pulled alongside us. The man said he had passed us going the other way, as he and his sons were on their way to the grocery store. They couldn't believe it when they were on their way back and saw us, still dragging ourselves along the road. So he offered us a ride and we gratefully accepted! We crammed ourselves into the car with the kids and the groceries and were so relieved when we finally got back to the picnic grounds. Oh, and of course, the "lost daughter" had returned shortly after we went to look for her.
The reason I posted this was becasue I saw a fairly young women HH on the side of the highway and she didn't look like she was homeless, needed money etc. I would walk before HH.
Oh and always keep your car doors locked at all times. One day my mom was drving me and my cousing somewhere we were about 8 or younger. My mom stopped at a red light and some guy opened the door and got in. My mom freaked out but all the guy wanted was a ride. She didn't scream or tell him to get out for fear that if she did this guy would do somehting to us. Luckily he wasn't crazy and just needed a ride. He was a jerk for just opening someone's car door like that though.
So boys and girls please keep your doors locked.
Last edited by KylieEve; 09-08-2010 at 03:45 PM..
Reason: .
The reason I posted this was becasue I saw a fairly young women HH on the side of the highway and she didn't look like she was homeless, needed money etc. I would walk before HH.
Oh and always keep your car doors locked at all times. One day my mom was drving me and my cousing somewhere we were about 8 or younger. My mom stopped at a red light and some guy opened the door and got in. My mom freaked out but all the guy wanted was a ride. She didn't scream or tell him to get out for fear that if she did this guy would do somehting to us. Luckily he wasn't crazy and just needed a ride. He was a jerk for just opening someone's car door like that though.
So boys and girls please keep your doors locked.
Believe me I do. I have also warned my friends to lock their car doors especially when traveling at night.
The only time hubby and I took a passenger in our car was in Cuba - over there, everyone does that, solidarity is key! And people who ask for a ride are nice and very helpful (as they help you find your way!)
I would never do that here in the US, or in Europe.
I have never hitchhiked nor would I ever pick up a hitchhiker. A good friend of mine is a police officer and I've heard too many horror stories. However, if I see someone on the side of the road that appears to be in distress I call 911.
I did it one time in the 70's... my dad picked me up. I didn't see the outside for a month. No way would I do it now or pick up anyone I didn't know and that makes me sad. Sometimes someone just needs a little help but everyone is so afraid.
I used to, back in 'the day', when my friend and I would hitch a ride all the way to Riverside from Sunnymead to spend our lunch money at the Riverside Plaza. We would make it back too, in time for school to let out so we wouldnt miss our bus home. These days unfortunately, its almost suicidal to do so.
I did it one time in the 70's... my dad picked me up. I didn't see the outside for a month. No way would I do it now or pick up anyone I didn't know and that makes me sad. Sometimes someone just needs a little help but everyone is so afraid.
I know what you mean I do feel sorry for some folks but it is just to dangerous. I will call 911 for someone but will not even roll the window down all the way. It's a sad world we live in now.
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So we walked and walked some more. We finally ended up out on a county road and started walking back toward the park. We were still more than a mile away. Eventually, a small red car with a young man driving and two young boys in the back seat pulled alongside us. The man said he had passed us going the other way, as he and his sons were on their way to the grocery store. They couldn't believe it when they were on their way back and saw us, still dragging ourselves along the road. So he offered us a ride and we gratefully accepted! We crammed ourselves into the car with the kids and the groceries and were so relieved when we finally got back to the picnic grounds. Oh, and of course, the "lost daughter" had returned shortly after we went to look for her. 
