I had a couple of really unpleasant rides where it felt like I was in the hands of outright psychopaths and had to play along with obnoxious chat to escape. Glad I don't have to rely on it these days
I still hitch very occasionally, but its getting harder and harder......... ......Anyone I speak to about hitching these days, who isn't of a certain age/climbing background are just instantly veermontly against the idea of stopping to pick someone up.. "oooo no, I'd never,, well you never know do you".. ......I enjoyed watching race around world (especially the Canada one) where contestants invariably ended up hitching and where consistantly blown away by how 'nice' folks were. "Oooo they were soooo nice, we've swapped emails and will definitly stay in touch" etc etc. (I'd have just hitched the whole way and had loads of budget spare to stay in nice hotels along the way ).
I'm puzzled as to whether hitching really does pose more vulnerability than other human interactions. A psycho could mow down pedestrians or cyclists and bundle them into the back of a van, or pounce on a lone boulderer, rambler etc. Also any vulnerability was there just as much in say 1990 as today, so doesn't account for the ending of hitching does it?
Sheffield uni do a charity hitchhike every year, think it was to Ljubljana last year.
Quote from: stone on February 26, 2024, 09:01:32 amI'm puzzled as to whether hitching really does pose more vulnerability than other human interactions. A psycho could mow down pedestrians or cyclists and bundle them into the back of a van, or pounce on a lone boulderer, rambler etc. Also any vulnerability was there just as much in say 1990 as today, so doesn't account for the ending of hitching does it?I can't think of any other common interactions where you put yourself in a position where you can be abducted with minimal effort and you don't get to assess who that person is before committing. It's a very small risk, but a risk nonetheless. Of course anyone could be attacked at random at any time in day to day life, but these are by an order of magnitude smaller and more diffuse risks, not to mention unavoidable unless you want to be a hermit.
Its a sad fact, but it is different for single females, and I never hold an ounce of grudge for a single female that drives past and doesn't stop to give a lift.
Quote from: Bonjoy on February 26, 2024, 09:42:47 amQuote from: stone on February 26, 2024, 09:01:32 amI'm puzzled as to whether hitching really does pose more vulnerability than other human interactions. A psycho could mow down pedestrians or cyclists and bundle them into the back of a van, or pounce on a lone boulderer, rambler etc. Also any vulnerability was there just as much in say 1990 as today, so doesn't account for the ending of hitching does it?I can't think of any other common interactions where you put yourself in a position where you can be abducted with minimal effort and you don't get to assess who that person is before committing. It's a very small risk, but a risk nonetheless. Of course anyone could be attacked at random at any time in day to day life, but these are by an order of magnitude smaller and more diffuse risks, not to mention unavoidable unless you want to be a hermit. But there's the rub.. people just don't get abducted.. like ever.. its just a media notion.If, in the increadibly increadibly rare occasions they do, its most likely to be someone they know, pre-meditated etc etc. "attacks, stabbings, muggings etc" are also statistically very rare, very likely to be peeps who know each other/drugs gangs related etc etc.With hitching, you're a bit more in control than you imagine, a: you've surprised the driver by suddenly appearing with your thumb out. They've had to make a split decision on whether or not to stop, a decision they're only likely to make if they're the type of person who gives lifts to hitchers i.e. an ex hitcher themselves. b: they're busy driving, so hard have their hands on the wheel etc, and if they do happen to pull over into a secluded layby or something weird, you're going to have your wits about you anyhow, so will be prepared to run/defend yourself etc. Its a sad fact, but it is different for single females, and I never hold an ounce of grudge for a single female that drives past and doesn't stop to give a lift.
in 1989 I hitched to Turkey and back over 3 months as we couldn't afford Interrail (do people still do that even?)
This is my favourite hitching story. Tragically it isn't mine https://ukbouldering.com/board/index.php/topic,5617.msg626663.html#msg626663