Has anyone here ever HITCHHIKED?

[Brian]

In discussions with many senior citizens, I'm often struck by how many of them recount how common it used to be for folks to have "hitchhiked" from place to place. In fact, many older Americans have told me that hitchkiking was a relatively safe thing to do at one time. Some people even traveled all over the country by hitching rides from motorists, truckers, etc.

Personally, I don't think it's a safe thing to do. In fact, I can't imagine that hitchiking was ever a safe thing to do. But then again, the country is different today than it once was. Heck, a lot of senior citizens have also told me that they didn't even lock their doors years ago. Now, even though I'm sure that was true, I have a hard time imagining what that would feel like since it seems like crime is worse today than it's ever been in my town.

What about you? Has anyone here ever hitchhiked? What was your experience like?

And if you don't think it is a safe thing to do, do you think it was EVER safe? What about in countries outside the USA? Is Hitchhiking an accepted practice?

[Peltigera]

Hitching used to be common in the UK and I did hitch out of necessity when younger. Not seen a hitch-hiker for years.

[wheelspinner]

I used to hitch a lot when I was a kid and had no car, as getting to work was woeful via public transport. I generally got a lift but, even then, it was considered a bit dangerous.

I doubt anybody hitches in Australia any more what with our propensity for mass-murdering tourists and shoving them in a State forest somewhere. (Er, I mean, come to beautiful, sunny Australia!)

[patchoulli]

"I doubt anybody hitches in Australia any more what with our propensity for mass-murdering tourists and shoving them in a State forest somewhere. (Er, I mean, come to beautiful, sunny Australia!)"
Hee!! That's the exact same reason no one here in the US hitches anymore. I remember many of the guys I went to highschool with hitchhiked. It was no big deal. We lived in a rural area so the person who picked those boys up was probably a neighbor, but it wasn't something anyone even in the city worried about. You heard rumours - you had to be careful - and we girls were told to never, ever even think about it. And yet I know several women who hitched all over the place when they were teens.
They wouldn't last one car these days. I wonder why it all changed so much. A lot more people I guess. And drugs. And guns. And media that glorifies violence. Sad.

[MacBeth]

Not in over 40 years - did once in a while when I was in college