By Roadjunky, Posted Nov 24, 2006
Sections: Introduction to Hitchhiking The Basics Tips and Tactics Stayng Safe The Tao of Hitchhiking Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Hitchhiking Stories North and Central America South America Europe Australia, Japan and East Asia India and the Middle East Hitchhiking Resources
There are two main tactics in hitching. One is to stand by the side of the road and leave it to chance. The other is to head to gas stations and solicit lifts. You’ll probably end up doing them both out of necessity but each requires a different strategy. By the side of the road you observe the following:
Choose a place where cars can pull over safely. If you don’t you may either cause an accident or find the local police giving you a hard time. Never hitchhike on motorways unless it’s an absolute emergency.
Smile as the cars are coming and make sure they can see your face. The drivers have about three seconds to determine that you’re not a serial killer or a freak. Look as normal and harmless as you can.
Depending on where you’re going a sign drawn with a felt tip pen on cardboard can be a good plan. It also shows that you’re a relatively together person.
If you find yourself stuck inside a town or a big city either try to hitch at traffic lights on the highway out of the city or take a bus out to the next small town on your route. Hitchhiking out of a metropolis is all but impossible.
Give up at night. No one will see you and so in addition to not getting any rides you might get run over.
Hitchhiking at Gas Stations
Approach the drivers once they’ve finished filling up their gas and are on their way to pay. They need to take a good look at you and make up their minds in their own time.
Speak clearly and politely, accepting the rejections with good humour – more than once drivers have relented once they saw that I was a nice guy and could take a ‘no’.
At gas stations you can stay dry, warm and be near toilets and a water supply. You can even feed yourself on the leftovers in the coffee shop. In the big 24 hour places you can bed down in the corridor or maybe even in the restaurant.
If you’re going a long way then your best bet will be the truck drivers. These are lonely souls with ambivalent attitudes toward hitchhikers. Some of them see you a security risk whereas others are just dying to talk to someone. Don’t expect any enlightened conversation but you may be surprised by their generosity and kindness.
