Under What Circumstances Would You Pick Up A Hitchhiker?

I reckon we go by instinct also. While on vacation in Gatlinburg this summer we picked a guy up that was walking up the mountain. He looked pretty harmless and wore out. He and his family had hiked down the mountain thinking they could make it back up, but they were too wore out. He was going to walk up and bring the car back to everyone else. He was an older guy and didn't look dangerous so we took the chance.

Keep in mind that Ted Bundy was a very personable, nicely dressed man and he killed many times over before being caught. I will not pick up anyone I don't know, I don't care what the circumstances are. There are just too many weirdos out there these days.

I would never consider it, at all, ever. No matter what their circumstances looked like or how they were dressed it is not worth the risk. If I am out in the car then it is normally with the family and so I certainly would not risk them either.

The only time I will ever pick up a hitchhiker is if the person doing the hitchhiking is literally someone I know. Otherwise, I don't care how they are dressed. Consider Ted Bundy. He used his charms and good looks, and he was nicely dressed and that was how he got his victims to trust him. So, wardrobe has nothing to do with what is inside a person. It has nothing to do with whether they are a threat to you. I am not a threatening person at all but, I have two different looks. I can be in a baseball cap, no makeup, a hoodie and bleach stained shorts one day and in a nice blouse, dress pants, with my hair and makeup all nicely done so, the same can go for a murderer. One day he or she is wearing stained clothing while cutting someone's body up, the next day he or she is wearing a dress or a suit on the prowl for their next victim. So, there shouldn't even be a thought. I realize that not every hitchhiker is up to no good. But, then again, there have been a lot of people killed by hitchhikers who they didn't think were up to no good. So, the best way to prevent even having to make that decision is to just feel pity in your heart but keep moving.

hmmmm...i dont know...maybe i can still pick up a hitchhiker if i can see that he badly needed a ride home. Because i believe that in our society where people is so wary of their neighbors, i still think that an ounce of kindness wouldn't hurt. Anyway wouldn't you feel happy that you have helped someone? Just think of a situation wherein you are in a reversed situation with the hitchhiker. wouldn't you also wish that someone would be so kind to take you in?

I don't think I could consider it these days. It some sense, it makes me feel bad, but in another it makes me feel that I have protected myself or more importantly, my family which are usually my passengers. You can never tell what another may be thinking and what their intentions are. Things are definitely not the way they use to be, and that is very sad.

I would never pick up a hitchhiker. My dad at one point in his life got mad at his brother over in Texas and started hitchhiking back to TN. Everybody was worried becasue nobody knew where he was. This was during the days when people were more willing to pick up hitchhikers. He told me the manager of ZZ Top gave him a ride while hitchhiking. I wouldn't hitchhike or would I. You know that saying like father like son.

I lived by my thumb for years, back in the hippie days (early 70s) but that was a different era. Lotsa backpackers on the on ramps, lotsa VW vans...just an atmosphere of freewheeling. I was there for the change. In about '76, the road started to attract a lot of parolees, damaged veterans, and people looking for an easy mark. It got too psycho and I would never recommend doing it nowadays. It's like the hula hoop...it was fun while it lasted.

It's very hard these days to know what to do in circumstances such as this. You worry if someone is looking for a ride and you worry if someone is offering a ride when you haven't asked for one. There are so many freaks and psychopaths out there that you can never be sure. My car broke down once and I was lucky enough to have materials handy to make a sign. It said simply, "SEND HELP". I really didn't want anyone to stop because even the most innocent-looking people could turn out to be psychopathic killers or rapists, etc. Someone obviously saw my sign and was kind enough to do just that, send help. The police arrived within minutes and told me that a tow truck was on the way. As far as picking up someone who is walking with a gas can or even standing next to a broken-down car and well-dressed, I'd still hesitate. I might stop long enough to tell them that I will send help, but I doubt I'd ever let them into my car. I've come across this one man three times who was decently dressed. His story was that his car broke down a block away and he had to get to a job interview. He wasn't looking for a ride, he wanted money for the "bus". Yeah, right. The first time I saw him, I didn't have any cash and told him so. The second time was about a month later, at a different corner. He hit me with the same story and I "reminded" him of meeting him a month ago. He swore that it wasn't him, but I knew it was. It really bothered me this time, so I went around the block and came at him from a different direction. As I thought he would, he came up to my car and started his speel the same as before. He hadn't even noticed that he had just talked to me a few minutes earlier! Anyway, I told him that, since he was having so much trouble, I stopped a police officer and told him about the guy's situation and the police would be there any minute now. I never saw anyone run that fast outside of the Olympics! I haven't seen the guy since. I know that there are so many people out there to "take you for a ride" whether it be stealing money from you with a lie about their situation, or physically harming you. It's a scary world these days. I think the best way to deal with the situation you described would be to tell the person that you will send help, instead of picking them up.

I never stop, its just too risky. But then I'm female and try to be more cautious. Let the big strong guys with a cell phone stop and help them is my motto. I remember years ago my husband stopped to help a woman who's car had broken down and offer her a ride. She was hesitant to get in the car, so he dialed home to me and handed her the phone. After I told her he was completely trustworthy she finally trusted him enough to get in the car so he could drop her off someplace safe to get her car towed. I've also had someone pull over once when I was stranded and handed me their cell phone to call for assistance. To me thats just as good as getting out of the car and helping.

Never EVER would I pick up a hitchhiker, under ANY situation. I would send help back if I thought the person needed it. Now a days in the age of cell phones and such, I feel there really isn't any need for someone to be hitch hiking, too many psychos out there. I will never give a beggar money either. I have given them food before. I have also given them food, and they have thrown it back in my face because it was not what they really wanted the money for. I lived in Las Vegas for several years, and those people beg and then at the end of the day, go pick up there Cadillac from where they have it stashed and drive away.

nope, i wont let any strangers ride with me in the car. you see theres a lot of people who got killed or got accident because of that. not because you dont want to help. but we have to be more careful this time.

I don't think I would ever pick anyone up if I was alone in the car. Unless of course it was someone I know. My husband, before we were married did pick up a couple one time. He worked at a truck stop, and there were a couple of young British guys sitting outside, they were on their holiday, trying to make it cross-country. So, he gave them a ride down to where I was living at the time, and then we helped them find a freight yard, where I believe they hopped a train and continued on their way. I know at least one of them made it home..he's now a photographer, and I hear from him from time to time on facebook. haha

i would never, ever pick up a hitchhiker. just think about the risk.