In a new article at Brave New Traveler, Tim Patterson writes that his mom had only two rules for him: Don’t ride a motorcycle, and don’t hitchhike. My mom said the same thing, only she added “And no tattoos either.” Little do mothers realize that the only way to ensure their sons do something is to specifically forbid them from doing it. Now, let’s see, should I go with the Chinese symbol or the barbed wire?
Anyway, it’s odd that hitchhiking in particular has gotten such a bad reputation. After all, several decades ago in the U.S., it was immensely popular– out of necessity, convenience, and the desire to be, like Jack Kerouac, “on the road.” Are people nowadays so much more dangerous and psychotic than they were fifty years ago? Well, maybe.
I’ve noticed that Lonely Planet guidebooks always specifically mention that hitchhiking is “never entirely safe.” (Yeah? Neither are vending machines.) Like the apple with the razor blade on Halloween, the ax-murdering hitchhiker (or driver) is mostly the stuff of legend. Still, hitchhiking is against the law along U.S. interstates and in many towns and cities, and I’ve never been one to advocate breaking the law. Well, it’s rare anyway. But in many countries, unlike the U.S., hitchhiking is common and an integral part of life.
In the article, Patterson discusses some of the issues surrounding hitchhiking: “Hitching has always worked out fine, and led to memorable travel experiences. But am I pressing my luck? Are my mother’s fears justified? Is it really a good idea to stick your thumb in the air?”
After some consideration, he decides, “The world isn’t such a scary place, and most people are friendly, generous and kind. Use common sense, trust your instincts, open yourself to the horizon of possibility and – if all seems right – raise your thumb up high.”
Headline explained here.
