Picked up a hitch hiker - What would you have done?
Discussion
Afternoon all.
Around 2am this morning, I was driving home from Norwich.
A little over 4 miles from the city centre, I see someone thumbing a lift. I have stopped in the past, so stopped to ask if he was OK and where he was heading. He replied he had a bust up with his Dad, so was going to Watton, a small town some 20 miles away!
He was drunk, but gauged him to be not too bad, so I offered to take him as it was a mere 5 mile detour for me.
Once in the car, he then begins telling me his life story and about how he came to be walking over 20 miles home.
He said he was in and out of care all his life, periodically sleeping rough and in hostels, and he claimed to be currently camping rough with a couple of homeless people.
He said he much preferred living this way compared to anything else. He had rather negative opinions about the charities and government authorities set up to help people in his situation.
He said he has 11 siblings (most of of whom are in foster homes), parents were drug and alcohol dependent, left school at 13 to help look after his younger siblings and works day to day for a little cash in hand.
He then said he had visited to the city to see his real parents for Christmas and give 2 of his siblings presents.
He then had an argument with his Dad which ended physically and he missed his bus.
He had a bit of mark on his face, but refused when I suggested we seek further help.
It was at this point I thought to ask his age, believing it to be 18-19 from his appearance. However, he claimed to be only 15.
To tell you the truth, it instantly made me a little uncomfortable, however I could hardly ask him to get out the car while in the middle of the countryside!
He refused any further suggested help, just saying he wished to get to Watton, as this is where his grandmother lives. I did say to him that I would take him to her front door - he declined the offer for me to ring ahead, just saying that I was doing him enough of a favour.
I didn't really know what to do, or indeed what to say.
The cynic in me questioned the validity of this drunk young guy's detailed story. Had I been suckered in by a fantasist?
The larger, caring part of me just pitied him and thought to carry on to Watton.
I have never had experience of (or indeed contact with) someone from such a background.
The rest of journey, he drunkenly kept repeating the same details about him and his family. The details of the story didn't change at all, which did quell my cynicism somewhat.
When we reached Watton, I asked him to direct me to his grandmother's house but he just asked me to drop him off at a bus stop. He insisted he didn't wish to put me out any more than he had done.
I did consider his age and drunken state, so asked him a few times if he was absolutely sure. I didn't want to force the issue, as I didn't wish to risk a negative reaction.
It was then he said his makeshift camping ground was only half a mile away. I questioned this differing destination to the grandmother's house he had mentioned earlier, but he repeated he was going back to his camp site.
I declined his several offers to pay what little cash he had - £4.50.
With that, he thanked me again and wandered down a path through a housing development, beyond which is where he claimed he was camping.
After feeling uncomfortable and concerned for this stranger (whose story I admit I don't even know to be true), I still questioned myself to having done the correct thing.
So I drove to the town's part time police station and found it to be closed. By fortune, on my way home just outside the town, I saw a blue light flashing behind me which turned out to be a police car. I flagged them down.
Despite their evident call out, they stopped and took some details while I explained the situation, giving them a description and any information I had gleaned from the young chap.
They said they hadn't heard of any reports involving this guy, but would look into it. No idea if anything more will come of it, or even if I will hear any more from the police.
So I shall hand it over the folk of PH for your thoughts and opinions on this extraordinary situation......
Has anyone encountered a similar scenario?
I know some people may not even pick up a hitch hiker, but assuming you would, what would you have done?
Once discovering his claimed age would you have taken him somewhere other than where he wished to go, despite the potential for causing hassle?
Would you have reported it to the police?
Was it all a load of crap, and I was duped into taking some drunk person home who couldn't afford a taxi? (Not to say I mind offering a lift to a hitch hiker, but in an ideal (perhaps overly idealistic) world I would rather they be honest.)
I'm prepared for the potential slap down, but I would genuinely like to hear the group's thoughts.
Darren
Around 2am this morning, I was driving home from Norwich.
A little over 4 miles from the city centre, I see someone thumbing a lift. I have stopped in the past, so stopped to ask if he was OK and where he was heading. He replied he had a bust up with his Dad, so was going to Watton, a small town some 20 miles away!
He was drunk, but gauged him to be not too bad, so I offered to take him as it was a mere 5 mile detour for me.
Once in the car, he then begins telling me his life story and about how he came to be walking over 20 miles home.
He said he was in and out of care all his life, periodically sleeping rough and in hostels, and he claimed to be currently camping rough with a couple of homeless people.
He said he much preferred living this way compared to anything else. He had rather negative opinions about the charities and government authorities set up to help people in his situation.
He said he has 11 siblings (most of of whom are in foster homes), parents were drug and alcohol dependent, left school at 13 to help look after his younger siblings and works day to day for a little cash in hand.
He then said he had visited to the city to see his real parents for Christmas and give 2 of his siblings presents.
He then had an argument with his Dad which ended physically and he missed his bus.
He had a bit of mark on his face, but refused when I suggested we seek further help.
It was at this point I thought to ask his age, believing it to be 18-19 from his appearance. However, he claimed to be only 15.
To tell you the truth, it instantly made me a little uncomfortable, however I could hardly ask him to get out the car while in the middle of the countryside!
He refused any further suggested help, just saying he wished to get to Watton, as this is where his grandmother lives. I did say to him that I would take him to her front door - he declined the offer for me to ring ahead, just saying that I was doing him enough of a favour.
I didn't really know what to do, or indeed what to say.
The cynic in me questioned the validity of this drunk young guy's detailed story. Had I been suckered in by a fantasist?
The larger, caring part of me just pitied him and thought to carry on to Watton.
I have never had experience of (or indeed contact with) someone from such a background.
The rest of journey, he drunkenly kept repeating the same details about him and his family. The details of the story didn't change at all, which did quell my cynicism somewhat.
When we reached Watton, I asked him to direct me to his grandmother's house but he just asked me to drop him off at a bus stop. He insisted he didn't wish to put me out any more than he had done.
I did consider his age and drunken state, so asked him a few times if he was absolutely sure. I didn't want to force the issue, as I didn't wish to risk a negative reaction.
It was then he said his makeshift camping ground was only half a mile away. I questioned this differing destination to the grandmother's house he had mentioned earlier, but he repeated he was going back to his camp site.
I declined his several offers to pay what little cash he had - £4.50.
With that, he thanked me again and wandered down a path through a housing development, beyond which is where he claimed he was camping.
After feeling uncomfortable and concerned for this stranger (whose story I admit I don't even know to be true), I still questioned myself to having done the correct thing.
So I drove to the town's part time police station and found it to be closed. By fortune, on my way home just outside the town, I saw a blue light flashing behind me which turned out to be a police car. I flagged them down.
Despite their evident call out, they stopped and took some details while I explained the situation, giving them a description and any information I had gleaned from the young chap.
They said they hadn't heard of any reports involving this guy, but would look into it. No idea if anything more will come of it, or even if I will hear any more from the police.
So I shall hand it over the folk of PH for your thoughts and opinions on this extraordinary situation......
Has anyone encountered a similar scenario?
I know some people may not even pick up a hitch hiker, but assuming you would, what would you have done?
Once discovering his claimed age would you have taken him somewhere other than where he wished to go, despite the potential for causing hassle?
Would you have reported it to the police?
Was it all a load of crap, and I was duped into taking some drunk person home who couldn't afford a taxi? (Not to say I mind offering a lift to a hitch hiker, but in an ideal (perhaps overly idealistic) world I would rather they be honest.)
I'm prepared for the potential slap down, but I would genuinely like to hear the group's thoughts.
Darren
I think given the scenario, the fact he was drunk and very young with a troubled background you were right not to force the issue and doubly right to at least mention it to the police.
Good on you for stopping too, I've hitch hiked before and found it very very fun and 2 of the 4 people I had lifts off had also hitch hiked and it was great to story and tip swap. I think far too many people are overly cautious now and that's a shame
All in all you made the right choices now don't let it play on your mind too much and enjoy your Xmas after doing your good deed!
Good on you for stopping too, I've hitch hiked before and found it very very fun and 2 of the 4 people I had lifts off had also hitch hiked and it was great to story and tip swap. I think far too many people are overly cautious now and that's a shame
All in all you made the right choices now don't let it play on your mind too much and enjoy your Xmas after doing your good deed!
Definitely did the right thing.
About 10 years ago I was driving back from Exeter on the A303 and saw a tramp thumbing a lift. I only stopped because it was lashing it down and felt sorry for him. I offered to drop him off at home and he directed me to Longleat... Lord Bath apparently!
About 10 years ago I was driving back from Exeter on the A303 and saw a tramp thumbing a lift. I only stopped because it was lashing it down and felt sorry for him. I offered to drop him off at home and he directed me to Longleat... Lord Bath apparently!
vikingaero said:
Definitely did the right thing.
About 10 years ago I was driving back from Exeter on the A303 and saw a tramp thumbing a lift. I only stopped because it was lashing it down and felt sorry for him. I offered to drop him off at home and he directed me to Longleat... Lord Bath apparently!
Hahaha........not surprised at that !!About 10 years ago I was driving back from Exeter on the A303 and saw a tramp thumbing a lift. I only stopped because it was lashing it down and felt sorry for him. I offered to drop him off at home and he directed me to Longleat... Lord Bath apparently!
Found him in many places. Years back he had an old Pug with a wheel barrow hanging out the back of the hatch.
Such a sharpe contrast to his late parents. No wonder they had his brother running the estate.
Urban Sports said:
I picked up 2 very nice looking Polish birds in their 20's thumbing a lift from one of the services on the M6, I was in a decent mood so let them in, I started chatting to them but they didn't seem interested, after about 10 mins they started making out!
Do you drive a Fake Taxi by any chance? 
No way, I've seen The Hitcher
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1g48qR6KKA#t=224
Granted I'd feel even more apprehensive if it was in America.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1g48qR6KKA#t=224
Granted I'd feel even more apprehensive if it was in America.
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