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Not only have I not hitchhiked since the early to mid-1970's, but I've never picked up a hitchhiker, and would never, ever pick up one. In both instances, despite most people being perfectly normal and honest, the risk of either getting a lift with, or giving a lift to someone who's not so normal and honest is still there, and always has been. It's not worth the risk of being trapped in a vehicle with a total stranger(s) if the situation turns nasty and/or violent, thus risking a final (and/or deadly) showdown, where it's the victim's physical prowess against the assailant, or, worse, a weapon.
hitchedhiked in my 20s, my partner has for most of his life (he left home at 17) ...
I didn't pick up hitchhikers except once that i remember, an older lady last year... I usually drive with my dog and she won't tolerate strangers (it wouldn't be a fun ride for the person with her snarling at them the whole time) and as a woman, I don't feel safe (usually) picking up strangers by myself...
Funny story-
my daughter told me a story from her friend- the family had been at a local beer garden(I can't imagine them being too inebriated, they have 2 little girls), on the way home they stopped to pick up a hitchhiker, but when they opened up the door to let him in, he asked "have you guys been drinking?" And turned them down for a ride....
Not only have I not hitchhiked since the early to mid-1970's, but I've never picked up a hitchhiker, and would never, ever pick up one. In both instances, despite most people being perfectly normal and honest, the risk of either getting a lift with, or giving a lift to someone who's not so normal and honest is still there, and always has been. It's not worth the risk of being trapped in a vehicle with a total stranger(s) if the situation turns nasty and/or violent, thus risking a final (and/or deadly) showdown, where it's the victim's physical prowess against the assailant, or, worse, a weapon.
I would agree with this.
There is always a moral dimension here, especially with female hitchers. In a perfect world there would be no hitchers at all; but short of that it would be good if all hitchers were honest & civil enough to warrant being picked up.
Unfortunately, this is far from a perfect world and even if the risk of being in trouble at the hands of a hitcher is probably small, for me as a female the risk is still too great.
Of course the reverse is equally true - some hitchers have been picked up and have either been robbed, raped, injured or even murdered at the hands of some psychotic drivers
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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Sure, back in the late 60s-early 70s, mostly hippies. Seems the right thing to do since I'd done some hitching myself before I was old enough to get my license. The last time was 1971 on a cross country summer road trip, haven't hitched or picked anyone up since, and wouldn't now.
I used to hitch hike when I was in the army back in the 70s. I had no problem getting lifts as I was wearing my uniform. I got a lift once from a guy driving a Rolls-Royce, all the way from London to Birmingham. Very nice car.
Sure, back in the late 60s-early 70s, mostly hippies.
Yep. 1970-1974 I was in college at Ohio State. Some weekends I'd walk 2 blocks to the freeway on ramp, hold out my "Student To Cleveland" sign and not 10 cars would pass until I got a ride. It was great. These days I wouldn't pick anyone up, even me.
I did that all the time in the late 1970's. I suppose what changed for me was that I was picking up people who looked like high school or college students. It's harder when you can't really tell someone's status or mien. A bookbag was a pretty good clue that the person was like me. Harder to tell with other people now who are in 50's who or what they are. Hence potentially more dangerous.
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