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Picking up hitchhikers

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When considering '''picking up hitchhikers''', keep in mind first and foremost, you are not obligated to let someone into your car just because you pulled over. That being said, try to be welcoming, but at the same time alert and cautious. Just because someone looks bedraggled, unshaven and questionably clean, doesn't mean they are dangerous or shady. You have to consider that this person has very likely been on the road for days on end, probably without a proper place to sleep, and maybe without a proper meal. Of course, it's also not uncommon to find properly showered and shaved [[hitchhikers]] wearing a suit and a tie.
[[ImageFile:IMG 5212.JPG|thumb|right|250px|Yaniv with luggage and sign for [[Verona]]]]A good starting point for your judgment is often their luggage. You should take a good look at the person's belongings as you slow down and pull over. Do they have a well worn rucksack and are their hands full with a map and a book while they frantically try to grab everything and rush toward your car? An honest traveler will probably have similar paraphernalia. Still, many hitchhikers hitchhike for short day trips on well-known territory and sometimes don't carry any luggage at all.
==Communicate==
After this initial look, you should exchange a few words with the hitchhiker before throwing the door open. Many drivers pull over and hurriedly gesture for you to pile in, but you can often tell a lot about a person from an quick exchange, which could save you a lot of trouble. During this quick exchange, you have to keep in mind that the hitchhiker may also have apprehensions, and generally, they get the privilege of asking "where are you going?" before the driver does. This is because a the hitchhiker needs a "way out" if they pick up a bad vibe from the driver and decide they (politely) want to decline the ride.
If you decide that you'd rather not have this person in your car, don't feel like you have to just because you've pulled over and had a few words with them. Your instinct is your best defense mechanism and ignoring it because you feel awkward is a bad idea.
[[ImageFile:Erga-and-a-friendly-finnish-man.jpg|thumb|left|220px|Hitchhiker and driver in [[Finland]], 2008]]
If you've decided that the hitchhiker is indeed legit (and most are), it's probably best to get moving so you don't fall victim to the even more likely danger of being hit by another car. Some more cautious (maybe paranoid) hitchhikers may be unwilling to part with their belongings, in case they need to make a quick escape. You could ask if they mind putting their pack in the trunk if you have limited room, but if at all possible allow them to keep their stuff nearby.
A better spot is also more important than how far. Taking someone from a good big petrol station and putting them on the highway (or off the high way) might make more problem than helping. As long as you can put the person at a somewhat better or the same quality place a little bit of a ride is better than no ride, if not much else it gives the hitchhiker a new scenario and some hope.
In any case, it's good to show some sign of recognition, even if you don't plan to stop. A quick smile or a gesture indicating that you're only going locally can give a hitchhiker some hope. And many hitchhikers love human interaction, so it's nice to have a chat at a petrol station.
==Traffic light==Sometimes you encounter hitchhikers at [[Traffic light hitchhiking|traffic lights]]. If the traffic light is followed by a convenient place to stop it's best to go there. Otherwise you have to [[trust]] on your instinct.
==Highway on-ramp, bus stops==Bus stops are convenient places to stop. Highway on-ramps can be more tricky, but are similar.
==[[Petrol station]]==Many hitchhikers prefer to ask drivers at petrol station. This gives both hitchhikers as well as drivers more time to think.
[[ImageFile:Washing car window in the North of Finland.JPG|thumb|250px|left|It might even happen that a hitchhiker cleans your windows]]
==[[Signs]]==[[ImageFile:Parnu-riga.jpg|thumb|200px|[[amylin]] hitchhiking to [[Riga]]]]It's great when it happens, but hitchhikers don't need to go to their final destination with just one ride. Usually a hitchhike trip takes many consecutive rides. To avoid missing out on cars that go shorter distances people often put two or even more destinations on their sign.
==How to prematurely leave your hitchhiker==Not all hitchhikers are awesome. It can happen that you picked someone up and then you feel stuck with them. For example, in [[Australia]] rides can be very long and people can turn out to be weirder than you expected. It can also simply be that you need your private space, e.g. for making phone calls. How to get rid of your hitchhiker? Several options?
# Tell the outright truth. "I feel that I can not take you any further. I need my private space. I know you will understand."
# ...
==More information==
* [http://www.digihitch.com/article480.html 'Why do people pick up hitchhikers?'] An article at [http://www.digihitch.com Digihitch]
* A story written by a driver in the [[USA]] and who see hitchhikers every day. He made some rules for himself. For an experienced hitchhiker-traveler they might sound funny, but it gives you a nice look in the mind of someone who picks up hitchhikers on a daily basis. "Every morning and evening, I see people hitchhiking on the 602 to get to Gallup and back." [http://robingallup.com/2008/10/14/hitchhikers/ link]
* Stop & Wander, a Girl’s Guide to Picking up Hitchhikers [http://bugbear.wordpress.com/2008/04/23/girls-guide-to-picking-up-hitchhikers]. "When I see someone standing by the side of the road, trying to flag down a ride, I get curious."
[[fr:Prendre des autostoppeurs]]
[[Category:Practical info]]
[[fr:Prendre des autostoppeurs]]
[[fi:Liftarin kyytiinottaminen]]
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