Would you pick up a hitchhiker?
Discussion
Not in recent years, but in the late 90s when I was driving M6/M40/M25 every week I would occasionally offer someone a lift. Few characters to say the last and some interesting conversations which made it less boring.
Maybe given 20 people a lift over 5 years or so and I didn't get murdered, or murder anyone, so I think it all worked out ok in the end for all involved.
Out of them all only one guy offered me any money for fuel. That's what put an end to it tbh I did not expect any money but the last person I took almost 230 miles we arrived at the train station (which was his exact destination and 20 min out of my way) and just opened the door and got out not a thanks or cheers. Nada. Thought f*** this and never bothered since.
Maybe given 20 people a lift over 5 years or so and I didn't get murdered, or murder anyone, so I think it all worked out ok in the end for all involved.
Out of them all only one guy offered me any money for fuel. That's what put an end to it tbh I did not expect any money but the last person I took almost 230 miles we arrived at the train station (which was his exact destination and 20 min out of my way) and just opened the door and got out not a thanks or cheers. Nada. Thought f*** this and never bothered since.
Cantaloupe said:
Gary29 said:
You never seen a geezer at the side of the road carrying trade plates and a ruck sack?
No, must be an English thing. Humour me eh ?
WTF are trade plates and why would that get you a better chance of a lift ?
They are red and white and are issued to the motor trader and must be displayed.
Many traders employ drivers to move cars from A to B. However the driver often has to self fund his or her return to A or onward journey to C. Thus, many drivers will stand next to the road showing their trade plates as its cheaper than getting the train etc. Its a way of showing they are a genuine person and not just a bum.
It used to be very common to see drivers stood around major junctions on the M25 and M1 in the south in the 80s and 90s showing the trade plates normally with a little bit of cardboard with their destination scribbled on.
Its not as common any more but still something you occasionally see.
Cantaloupe said:
No, must be an English thing.
Humour me eh ?
WTF are trade plates and why would that get you a better chance of a lift ?
Trade plates are used by the motor trade to move cars around, something to do with their insurance I think.Humour me eh ?
WTF are trade plates and why would that get you a better chance of a lift ?
Once the guys have delivered the cars they can save the BFH by hitching instead.
I used to hitch a bit as a student so will tend to pick up a hitcher if I see one, not that I have seen one for years.
red_slr said:
Trade plates allow a motor dealer to move a vehicle on the highway without road tax.
They are red and white and are issued to the motor trader and must be displayed.
Many traders employ drivers to move cars from A to B. However the driver often has to self fund his or her return to A or onward journey to C. Thus, many drivers will stand next to the road showing their trade plates as its cheaper than getting the train etc. Its a way of showing they are a genuine person and not just a bum.
It used to be very common to see drivers stood around major junctions on the M25 and M1 in the south in the 80s and 90s showing the trade plates normally with a little bit of cardboard with their destination scribbled on.
Its not as common any more but still something you occasionally see.
Many thanks, every day's a school day.They are red and white and are issued to the motor trader and must be displayed.
Many traders employ drivers to move cars from A to B. However the driver often has to self fund his or her return to A or onward journey to C. Thus, many drivers will stand next to the road showing their trade plates as its cheaper than getting the train etc. Its a way of showing they are a genuine person and not just a bum.
It used to be very common to see drivers stood around major junctions on the M25 and M1 in the south in the 80s and 90s showing the trade plates normally with a little bit of cardboard with their destination scribbled on.
Its not as common any more but still something you occasionally see.
Robertj21a said:
psi310398 said:
Probably true, but what is different is that in these days of Me Too, the po po now assume that any complaint of sexual impropriety is by definition well-founded and credible.
From my POV it is simply not worth the arseache of proving innocence, or worse ending up in a 'he said, she said' situation.
Quite. Some women are fairly quick off the mark nowadays with complaints about men (understandable in many circumstances) - but why do I need any possible such hassle if I'm just being a Good Samaritan ?From my POV it is simply not worth the arseache of proving innocence, or worse ending up in a 'he said, she said' situation.
Once. Never again. Same guy hitch hikes up the road daily, seen others pick him up. My pal was in the car so decided I'd do it for a giggle. Hes panicking, no no no dont... so I did, as you do.
Turns out he was only wanting a lift 3 miles up the road, qaulity.
2 minutes in he screams. "Iv dropped my pound iv dropped my pound! You thieves!!!"
Started acting all irrational, taking his belt off, trying to stand up. Adamant he dropped his pound and we was going to steal it.
Anyway in the end he got a free lift and scammed us a quid. Never again haha.
Turns out he was only wanting a lift 3 miles up the road, qaulity.
2 minutes in he screams. "Iv dropped my pound iv dropped my pound! You thieves!!!"
Started acting all irrational, taking his belt off, trying to stand up. Adamant he dropped his pound and we was going to steal it.
Anyway in the end he got a free lift and scammed us a quid. Never again haha.
Edited by hotchy on Wednesday 4th December 14:42
You hardly ever see them nowadays, but in the past I'd often give them a lift. You certainly meet a large number of lunatics, so it wasn't risk free, but it was an opportunity to do someone a favour and you also would meet interesting people. I've only hitched once myself. Fair to say the people who pick hitchhikers up are also likely to be loonies.
Haven't seen many people hitching for a long time, used to occasionally pick up a trade plater when I was driving a long commute every day 10-15 yrs ago. I guess these days, with mobiles, they probably know where each other are and get picked up by another plater delivering the other direction.
When we were driving the students union minibus we used to pick people up, 1970s, Mk1 Transits - once had a 15 seater with only 2 of us in, there were about 8 people, probably students, at the top of M62 sliproad so we picked them all up.
Another time we were going from Middlesborough to Liverpool via Leeds late at night, picked a guy up, he'd just got to M'bro and got a message his wife had gone into labour, no trains til morning. We stopped, he said where he was going, we said you're welcome to come with us but we're going the long way round, it was unlikely he'd get a better offer so he jumped in. He helped us unload canoes and camping gear, came to Terry's all night greasy cafe and we dropped him off at dawn.
When we were driving the students union minibus we used to pick people up, 1970s, Mk1 Transits - once had a 15 seater with only 2 of us in, there were about 8 people, probably students, at the top of M62 sliproad so we picked them all up.
Another time we were going from Middlesborough to Liverpool via Leeds late at night, picked a guy up, he'd just got to M'bro and got a message his wife had gone into labour, no trains til morning. We stopped, he said where he was going, we said you're welcome to come with us but we're going the long way round, it was unlikely he'd get a better offer so he jumped in. He helped us unload canoes and camping gear, came to Terry's all night greasy cafe and we dropped him off at dawn.
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red_slr said:
Out of them all only one guy offered me any money for fuel. That's what put an end to it tbh I did not expect any money but the last person I took almost 230 miles we arrived at the train station (which was his exact destination and 20 min out of my way) and just opened the door and got out not a thanks or cheers.
unless I've grossly misread the situation. It was my understanding in the lift that no money would change handsJust a heads up on a hitchhiker scam.
Two nice looking women ask for a lift to McDonald's.
You agree and they climb into the vehicle. On the way, they start undressing. Then one of them starts crawling all over you, while the other one steals your wallet.
I had my wallet stolen JULY 4th, 9th, 10th, twice on the 15th, again on the 17th, 20th, 24th, and the 29th. Also AUGUST 1st, 4th, 8th, twice on the 12th &13th, and very likely again this upcoming weekend.
So tell your friends to be careful.
Stolen without shame from another website.
Two nice looking women ask for a lift to McDonald's.
You agree and they climb into the vehicle. On the way, they start undressing. Then one of them starts crawling all over you, while the other one steals your wallet.
I had my wallet stolen JULY 4th, 9th, 10th, twice on the 15th, again on the 17th, 20th, 24th, and the 29th. Also AUGUST 1st, 4th, 8th, twice on the 12th &13th, and very likely again this upcoming weekend.
So tell your friends to be careful.
Stolen without shame from another website.
Never in the UK, but gave plenty of lifts and hitch hiked when I lived in Israel.
Only two incidents worthy of a butt clench.
Palestinian driver with a 70s muscle car and a penchant for smoking massive tributes to bob marley.
A van driver who stopped and told me to get in the back I opened the doors and saw 5 faces looking back at me and climbed in.
We set off and the bloke sat opposite me, said "You better start praying for your life"
I had flashes of being buggered, torture and my impending murder and discarded for the desert critters to munch my sorry carcass.
I feebly asked "why" with my top lip quivering.
The guy burst out laughing, thrust a can of beer in my hand and announced that the driver was effing useless. Ended up being a great and memorable weekend, turns out they were heading out to enjoy their last weekend of freedom before a stint of national service.
Only two incidents worthy of a butt clench.
Palestinian driver with a 70s muscle car and a penchant for smoking massive tributes to bob marley.
A van driver who stopped and told me to get in the back I opened the doors and saw 5 faces looking back at me and climbed in.
We set off and the bloke sat opposite me, said "You better start praying for your life"
I had flashes of being buggered, torture and my impending murder and discarded for the desert critters to munch my sorry carcass.
I feebly asked "why" with my top lip quivering.
The guy burst out laughing, thrust a can of beer in my hand and announced that the driver was effing useless. Ended up being a great and memorable weekend, turns out they were heading out to enjoy their last weekend of freedom before a stint of national service.
I posted this a few months ago:
Most companies now prohibit their drivers from picking up hitchhikers as there is the often touted insurance risk. Lots of vans are supplied with passenger seats removed, only to be replaced when the vehicle is sold.
In 1994, I had a new Saab 900 SE Turbo Coupe (see how PH specific that was) and I was driving back home along the A303 near Ilminster. It was lashing it down and I saw a forlorn scruffy man in the rain thumbing a lift. I ummed and arred with a possible wet tramp sitting on my brand new leather seats. In the end I thought, I'd better do what I would hope for if the situation were reversed and I pulled over to pick him up.
Mr Tramp wanted to go to Longleat, which was a detour off my route home, but again conscience and the rain made me agree to drop him off at Longleat. Mr Tramp was very well spoken, told me his name was Alexander, and I thought he simply wanted to visit the house.
As we pulled up to the ticket booth Mr Tramp asked me to put the window down so he could speak to the ticket lady.
Mr Tramp: "Hello Mary, this lovely chap is just dropping me off at the house, could you give him a complimentary family ticket so he could visit sometime."
Mary: "of course Lord Bath."
Most companies now prohibit their drivers from picking up hitchhikers as there is the often touted insurance risk. Lots of vans are supplied with passenger seats removed, only to be replaced when the vehicle is sold.
In 1994, I had a new Saab 900 SE Turbo Coupe (see how PH specific that was) and I was driving back home along the A303 near Ilminster. It was lashing it down and I saw a forlorn scruffy man in the rain thumbing a lift. I ummed and arred with a possible wet tramp sitting on my brand new leather seats. In the end I thought, I'd better do what I would hope for if the situation were reversed and I pulled over to pick him up.
Mr Tramp wanted to go to Longleat, which was a detour off my route home, but again conscience and the rain made me agree to drop him off at Longleat. Mr Tramp was very well spoken, told me his name was Alexander, and I thought he simply wanted to visit the house.
As we pulled up to the ticket booth Mr Tramp asked me to put the window down so he could speak to the ticket lady.
Mr Tramp: "Hello Mary, this lovely chap is just dropping me off at the house, could you give him a complimentary family ticket so he could visit sometime."
Mary: "of course Lord Bath."
I dont think people really hitch anymore. I have given 2 lifts in the last 15 years - both on the same journey to Hull. Hardly seen anyone hitching otherwise.
I owe many lifts because I used to regularly hitch to Leeds Uni when In was time rich and cash poor. You'd arrive at the slip road at the start of the M1 in London and there'd usually be 3 or 4 people waiting there. Protocol was that the latest person to arrive moved up the slip road and you moved back towards the bottom as each person at the foot of the slope was picked up.
I hitched the entire way from the USA to the arse end of Guatemala back up to Canada and then to New York when I was 22. No problems apart from a couple of gay blokes trying it on.
Only ever given a lift by one total weirdo who managed to steer every conversation back to student sex. That was somewhere nearing Gloucester I think.......
I owe many lifts because I used to regularly hitch to Leeds Uni when In was time rich and cash poor. You'd arrive at the slip road at the start of the M1 in London and there'd usually be 3 or 4 people waiting there. Protocol was that the latest person to arrive moved up the slip road and you moved back towards the bottom as each person at the foot of the slope was picked up.
I hitched the entire way from the USA to the arse end of Guatemala back up to Canada and then to New York when I was 22. No problems apart from a couple of gay blokes trying it on.
Only ever given a lift by one total weirdo who managed to steer every conversation back to student sex. That was somewhere nearing Gloucester I think.......
Yes I would but boy are they rare these days. When they do pop up they usually stand in incredibly stupid places with no chance of stopping in time.
They're more common in the arse ends of nowhere with little to no public transport. Highlands of Scotland and lost/knackered walkers is the most common one for me.
They're more common in the arse ends of nowhere with little to no public transport. Highlands of Scotland and lost/knackered walkers is the most common one for me.
Cantaloupe said:
red_slr said:
Trade plates allow a motor dealer to move a vehicle on the highway without road tax.
They are red and white and are issued to the motor trader and must be displayed.
Many traders employ drivers to move cars from A to B. However the driver often has to self fund his or her return to A or onward journey to C. Thus, many drivers will stand next to the road showing their trade plates as its cheaper than getting the train etc. Its a way of showing they are a genuine person and not just a bum.
It used to be very common to see drivers stood around major junctions on the M25 and M1 in the south in the 80s and 90s showing the trade plates normally with a little bit of cardboard with their destination scribbled on.
Its not as common any more but still something you occasionally see.
Many thanks, every day's a school day.They are red and white and are issued to the motor trader and must be displayed.
Many traders employ drivers to move cars from A to B. However the driver often has to self fund his or her return to A or onward journey to C. Thus, many drivers will stand next to the road showing their trade plates as its cheaper than getting the train etc. Its a way of showing they are a genuine person and not just a bum.
It used to be very common to see drivers stood around major junctions on the M25 and M1 in the south in the 80s and 90s showing the trade plates normally with a little bit of cardboard with their destination scribbled on.
Its not as common any more but still something you occasionally see.
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