I am thinking about doing some hitchhiking his weekend.  I really want to go up north, but I know I'll have to thumb a ride if I want to go.  Do you ever hitchhike?
No, I never have!  I'd be too nervous about getting a ride with a stranger!
It is a little nerve wracking, but it really makes you feel alive.  Plus, the rides are free so think of all the gas money you save!
Good point! And you probably meet some nice people!
I have met some nice people, and I have met some people I want to run away from.  I have even tried hitching a ride in some other countries, but the hand signals are different everywhere you go so you have to be even more careful you don't offend someone.
What other signals are there besides sticking out your thumb?
It is different all over the place.  In the US and UK you point the thumb, but in some African countries, the hand is held still with the palm facing upwards.
Interesting!  What other fun facts can you tell me about hitchhiking?
who usually sought to travel long distances, distances too far to walk in a reasonable amount of time—was that the driver's destinations were located nearby—and of little use to the hitchhiker—by pointing at the ground for a few seconds.
Legal status.
Hitchhiking is a historically common (autonomous) practice worldwide and hence there are very few places in the world where laws exist to restrict it. However, a minority of countries have laws that restrict hitchhiking at certain locations. In the United States,
have an understanding. It's 'You do what you want. Never go back to the same one.' See, that's where it's going to screw your mind up, to go back the second time to the same person." (Blumstein & Schwartz, 1983, page 286)
"We've never spoken about cheating, but neither of us believe in it. I don't think I'd ever forgive him. I don't think I'd be able to. I don't know.