Do you pick up Hitchhikers?
- Thread starter Mike G
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Influencer II
I don't, and I often feel guilty about it. And though my wife and I are generally armed when on the road, I also have my eight year old daughter to be concerned about. I have on occasion however called the local PD and asked if they could send a unit to check on the person. I don't want anyone to be stranded or abandoned. But in this day and age, I just can't get myself to invite a stranger into my vehicle with my wife and daughter. But there has been times around town where I've seen a vehicle broke down and I've stopped. One time I did drive the guy to a gas station so he could get fuel.
@ShawnR, I understand your point. I wouldn't pick up a hitchhiker if I had my daughter and wife with me as well. But, how about if you were going on a long trip by yourself? Would you then pick up someone?
I have, especially if the location is a long way from any towns. But if its in the city, I normally don't.
I have, especially if the location is a long way from any towns. But if its in the city, I normally don't.
Influencer II
Advocate II
Advocate II
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I have never done it with my kid or wife with me.
I'm pretty Okay with telling people to get in the bed of the truck though. A physical barrier makes a world of difference.
I like to keep my assistance to help pull out their vehicle or change a tire. We've even bought a few Alternators and paid a few Tow bills for people when we had the extra scratch.
A few years back I resuscitated a crackhead and I almost had to shoot him. I'm much less of a good samaritan since then. I love everybody, I trust almost no one.
I'm pretty Okay with telling people to get in the bed of the truck though. A physical barrier makes a world of difference.
I like to keep my assistance to help pull out their vehicle or change a tire. We've even bought a few Alternators and paid a few Tow bills for people when we had the extra scratch.
A few years back I resuscitated a crackhead and I almost had to shoot him. I'm much less of a good samaritan since then. I love everybody, I trust almost no one.
I was driving through Texas on I-10 decades ago going all the way through and picked up a hitchhiker. The minute he got in I could tell he hadn't bathed in weeks. Then he wanted to tour the Budweiser Plant in Houston for free beer.
Stinkin' bum.......
I told him I was changing directions and dumped his stinkin' arse at the first crossroad.
No.
I don't pick up hitch hikers.
Stinkin' bum.......
I told him I was changing directions and dumped his stinkin' arse at the first crossroad.
No.
I don't pick up hitch hikers.
Off-Road Ranger I
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Influencer II
Pathfinder II
Pathfinder I
I do on occasion. I am always armed and physically at 6'-3" and built like a UFC fighter (of course lately at 46 years of age, my abs are stating to fade a bit and are being replaced with what oddly appears to be a baby) What's that Robin Williams used to say, "I used to have the body of a Greek God...now I just have the body of a Greek." In addition...lol...being educated and well spoken in a soft gentile manner ( like a calm cool serial killer, much like Dr. Lecter or Ted Bundy)...I haven't had any issues with hitchhikers. LMAO, so in a nutshell if they do have bad intentions...They either realize that I am physically more than they can handle, or...lol...I'm just plum crazier than they are ;^) Now that doesn't mean that at anytime they could pull out a gun and shoot me in the face...because...well, it could happen. But, I try to give people the benefit of the doubt. Now that may change when the wife and I have children...which we are working on.
Nope, I'll help if someone needs it - jump, jerry of gas, tow, etc.. but your not getting in with me.
After having been to a mess of other countries, some friendly. Others war zones. And many many many u.s. states and cities.... some friendly... some basically warzones.
I can say... i have and i probably will again. I can handle myself.
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I can say... i have and i probably will again. I can handle myself.
Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
Pathfinder III
I do pick up hitchhikers. When I think they are ok. First look can be good or wrong I know. But a little talk is mostly the best.
I trust people, not being blind for all the nutters in this world, but give them the benefit of the doubt.
Think my dog is not fond of having company in his domain of the car. Which oftens includes my seat.
I trust people, not being blind for all the nutters in this world, but give them the benefit of the doubt.
Think my dog is not fond of having company in his domain of the car. Which oftens includes my seat.
Advocate III
Reviving an old thread - no idea why it came up in my search for "snorkel for van". . .
Yeah, I often pick up hitchhikers, though I see them a lot less frequently than I used to.
I've never been threatened or freaked by anyone I've ever picked up.
To be completely honest, I've had a lot more trouble from people who picked me up when I was hitchhiking than I ever had from anyone I picked up. Jumped out of a moving car one time when I was around 17, 'cause the driver was coming on to me. Another time threatened by a driver and his nephew. Yet another time, 15yo and hitchhiking to the Smokies by myself, I had to calmly turn my hand over to show a driver the knife I had strung to my wrist.
If you've been on the road a lot and have hitchhiked any distance yourself, you should be able to trust your first impression--your gut--when you spot someone hitchhiking down the shoulder, or when you are hitchhiking and about to get in someone's vehicle. Some guys are just down on their luck but are damned decent guys. Some are on R&R and trying to get home or to see their honey. Others just live on the fringe and feel like they don't fit in a fast moving society. Doesn't mean they're criminal or going to hurt you.
If you don't trust anyone you see hitchhiking, might be you're a lot more narrow minded than they are.
Yeah, I often pick up hitchhikers, though I see them a lot less frequently than I used to.
I've never been threatened or freaked by anyone I've ever picked up.
To be completely honest, I've had a lot more trouble from people who picked me up when I was hitchhiking than I ever had from anyone I picked up. Jumped out of a moving car one time when I was around 17, 'cause the driver was coming on to me. Another time threatened by a driver and his nephew. Yet another time, 15yo and hitchhiking to the Smokies by myself, I had to calmly turn my hand over to show a driver the knife I had strung to my wrist.
If you've been on the road a lot and have hitchhiked any distance yourself, you should be able to trust your first impression--your gut--when you spot someone hitchhiking down the shoulder, or when you are hitchhiking and about to get in someone's vehicle. Some guys are just down on their luck but are damned decent guys. Some are on R&R and trying to get home or to see their honey. Others just live on the fringe and feel like they don't fit in a fast moving society. Doesn't mean they're criminal or going to hurt you.
If you don't trust anyone you see hitchhiking, might be you're a lot more narrow minded than they are.
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Enthusiast III
