What is hitchhiking: positive aspects and how it can be dangerous? Hitchhiking: what to take with you and how not to get lost on the road

If you are planning an exciting trip, but do not want or do not have the opportunity to buy tickets, hitchhiking can be an ideal option - a free trip along a certain route in passing cars or trucks.

Many people perceive hitchhiking as simply a way to save money, but this is not the whole point of such trips. It is also a way of life, a special way of thinking and an opportunity to meet new people. Hitchhiking gives you a chance to see the world and visit even the most remote corners of the Earth, while not spending a penny on transport and having fun.

Benefits of hitchhiking

Compared to organized tourist trips, hitchhiking is characterized by the following undeniable advantages:

• the route of movement is completely independent and individually tailored to your preferences;
• you can visit all the sights and spend as much time in each city as you see fit;
• you actively communicate with new people and make interesting and unusual acquaintances;
• it is a good language practice and psychological preparation;
• it is an adrenaline rush, excitement, new knowledge and a huge life experience.

Hitchhiking is a positive experience and new impressions

If you want to know how to organize a hitchhiking trip, here are a few useful advice that will help make your trip comfortable and safe.

Consider appearance and clothing

Everyone knows the importance of first impressions, and in the case of hitchhiking, how you look often determines whether a passing driver will pick you up. Clothing should be clean, as comfortable as possible for long trips, and carefully selected to accommodate changes. weather conditions.
So that the cold does not take you by surprise, take care of the presence of thermal underwear and warm changeable socks, because there is nothing worse than getting your feet wet on the road.

It is also necessary to have a supply of clean change of clothes. If you are dressed untidy, then your chances of stopping the car are significantly reduced - no one wants to pick up a person with a suspicious appearance. It is especially important to remember about the appearance of girls hitchhiking. It is better to forget about too open clothes, so as not to cause unpleasant associations and not provoke dangerous situations.

For night journeys, it is important to have bright and reflective elements on clothes or a backpack. Many travelers prefer bright outerwear in rich yellow or acid orange to reduce the risk of being hit by inattentive participants. traffic, and also makes you more visible to drivers who are willing to take a companion.

Learn the rules of the road

If you don't drive yourself, read the rules of the road before you drive so you don't try to stop a hitchhiker at a no-stopping sign, before a turn, on an expressway, or on a bridge. Also, you are unlikely to be picked up at a fork in the road or a railway crossing. In addition, you can be fined for the wrong crossing of the roadway - in many countries of the world, the laws are quite strict.

Determine your travel itinerary

Hitchhikers who have traveled a certain length of time advise first of all to plan the route of the trip. Buy a road map for the area you are heading to, carefully study the cities, villages, settlements along the way (there are shops to replenish food and water supplies), as well as hotels, hostels, motels and campsites. Plan in advance where you will stop for the night. Complete rest is often critical to a comfortable ride.

You need to take care of the route of hitchhiking in advance

It is necessary to clearly represent the initial and end point your journey. If you are a beginner hitchhiker, choose a simple test route within your country up to 150 km long - this is enough to get you started, and you will be able to assess your strength and level of readiness for such trips. When plotting a route, give preference to busier roads than shortcut in the backwoods.

If you are traveling abroad, knowing the names of the key points on local language. You can find help with route planning on the forums of advanced hitchhikers - see the reviews and recommendations of the Moscow school of hitchhiking, the academy of free travel or the Belarusian team extreme travel Sky division.

Learn how to pack a backpack

When planning a trip, first of all take documents and a certain amount of money for unforeseen expenses. Decide whether you will spend the night in a tent, or you are expected to spend the night in hostels or motels. A traveler who plans a comfortable overnight stay indoors will need an average backpack with a volume of up to 50 liters. If you plan to spend the night "in an open field", you will need a large tourist backpack, because in addition to a tent you will need a burner, a sleeping bag and a mat.

Complete the first aid kit, which should contain a bandage, analgin, iodine, antibiotics, alcohol, aspirin, remedies for indigestion, a bactericidal plaster, etc. Stock up on personal hygiene products. Don't forget the small number of products you must have long term storage and do not take up much space (nuts, crackers, biscuits, chocolate bars). Also take a daily supply of water (1.5-2 liters) with you. On the road, you will need a compass, a flashlight, matches and a folding knife.

The right place to start your journey

It is best to start hitchhiking outside the city, since taxis or those drivers who earn extra money picking up passengers along their route will stop in the city itself. The place for voting should be such that the driver can see you from afar and have time and opportunity to stop. Then you can calmly ask him for a lift and tell about your route.

Pay attention to the category and meaning of the road on which you stop the vehicle. The higher the significance of the route, the busier the traffic on it, which means a higher chance of catching the transport with which you are on the way. You should not try to catch a passing car on exits from a hill and on bypass roads - experienced travelers they say that the chances of luck in such places are minimal. If you are driving at night, try to find a well-lit spot on the highway.

Communication with the driver will help adjust the route

Hitchhiking requires a positive attitude in any situation

National features of hitchhiking

When traveling abroad, you will need at least minimal knowledge in English to be able to communicate with the driver. Besides, in European countries cars are not allowed to stop on the autobahn - there you will never catch a ride. Hitchhikers with experience advise novice travelers to take into account some features of hitchhiking in different countries Europe:

• Italy. Hitchhiking is generally prohibited here. Try not to catch the eye of law enforcement officers, otherwise you will have to pay a rather big fine.
• Germany. Traffic police may complain about you as a violator of the law. In this country, it is advised to stand at the exits of gas stations, and no one will pick you up on the autobahn itself.
• Poland. You can hitchhike quite quickly and simply, the main thing is to stop on a busy highway in a place convenient for parking.
• Denmark. Can easily go to the right direction The Danes are very responsive and are not afraid to give strangers a ride.
• Holland. Hitchhikers are selected with the least willingness.
• Austria. This is one of the most difficult countries to stop a car on highways. Here it is advised to go by agreement with the driver while he refuels the car or rests at the campsite.
• Czech. locals consider hitchhikers rather suspicious. In this country more chances that a foreigner will give you a lift.
• Hungary. Drivers take fellow travelers easily, sometimes even violating the rules of traffic on the highway.
• Slovakia. Fellow travelers are more likely to be picked up by truckers rather than car drivers.
• Portugal. There is not too much traffic on the roads here - it is better to agree with the driver at the gas station. The easiest way to move in this country is from one gas station to another.
• France. Almost everyone picks up travelers, even women and families with children, but hitchhiking is prohibited in the country on weekends.

Experienced hitchhikers also claim that Europeans are much more willing to take strangers into the car than residents. post-Soviet space, and are never surprised to ask for a quote for free. But residents of the CIS countries most often try to get at least some payment for their services.

Remember: the more responsibly you approach the upcoming hitchhiking trip, the more exciting your trip will be. Attentiveness, safety and goodwill are the main features of a successful hitchhiker!

What to talk about, how to behave and what not to argue about - you can find in our fresh material.

A hitchhiker girl shouldn't dress provocatively. An immodest top and shorts, quite appropriate in the city, on the track can cause unnecessary associations. It is best to wear comfortable, clean and tidy clothing suitable for various weather conditions. In this case, the traveler has more chances for passing transport.

In order for you to be noticed on the road, bright elements must be present on your clothes. If you vote at night, make sure that your clothing has reflective elements.

2. It’s better for a girl to ride in a pair with a man

Hitchhiking is always associated with risks, so it is better to travel together. Of course, girls traveling alone are always more likely to be picked up. However, the young girl runs the risk of being in an unpleasant situation.

Do not be afraid that drivers do not pick up couples. On the slopes, young couples who hitchhike arouse sympathy. And if a married couple is driving in the car, they will always stop to take them to their company.

What to do in those cases when the car stopped, and you did not like the company with which you have to go? In this case, you should ask the driver where he is going. After listening to him, you can safely say that, unfortunately, you are not on the way, and immediately try to catch another car.

3. Plan your trip

Once you've made the decision to hitchhike, the first thing you need to decide is where you're going to go. An experienced hitchhiker is always first of all determined with the route.

It is best to plan a route in advance. You can purchase a card highways the area where you are going. Take a close look at what settlements will come across on your way. Ultimately, this will make a significant difference.

4. Immediately agree that the ride will be free

It is important before you get into the car to agree that you will not pay for the trip. The main argument is no money. No, it won't. As an "excuse" it works well that you are students, you travel for a long time, heavy backpacks, hot weather. If you do not warn the driver, unpleasant situations may arise.

5. Keep up the conversation, talk

The most important stereotype that one who decides to hitchhike should get rid of is that this type of travel is a "freebie". The driver who picks up the hitchhiker also gets his "fee". Fare - good mood and interesting communication.

Conversation with a fellow traveler good way dispel road boredom and not "nod off" at the wheel. The most successful hitchhikers are those who are friendly, sociable, smile often and can tell interesting stories about the places they have visited.

Therefore, speak, speak, ask and tell - that is why they take you on the road. In addition, how can you miss the opportunity to replenish your stock of knowledge with stories, useful information, advice, worldly wisdom?

6. Respect the driver

If a car stopped for you and you were allowed to get into it, then you should follow some rules along the way. Try to behave yourself. If you feel like smoking, this is only possible if the driver smokes, but you should still ask permission before you take out a cigarette.

Do not discuss the driver's driving style, as well as his actions. If you are asked to fasten your seat belt, be sure to do so. If you behave inappropriately, you may be asked to leave the car.

7. Choose the right terrain

Your journey should begin outside the city limits. Within the city limits, you can only hail a taxi. Try to choose places to vote where it will be easier for the driver to stop and quickly discuss route details with you.

Remember that in Europe it is forbidden to stop cars on the autobahn. Autobahns are everywhere. In Italy, hitchhiking is prohibited, and you will also be fined there. In such a situation, it is best to move away from the traffic police post. The extra attention of law enforcement officers on the roads is not at all necessary for you.

Hitchhiking is great and fun. Drivers will pick you up only if they want to, so this, unless, of course, you are impudent, there is nothing from begging. You can travel the world and meet a lot of good and interesting people. In addition, hitchhiking skills can be useful to you if, for example, you are robbed in a foreign city or you lose money. In this case, you can easily get home on a ride. So if you meet a man at the station asking for money for a ticket, advise him to hitchhike. Of course, in a foreign country, finding yourself in such a situation, it is better to contact the police or the embassy and they will buy you a ticket, which you will pay when you get home.

How to become a hitchhiker?

You should be bitten by another hitchhiker. There is indeed some truth in this, as usually people get involved in hitchhiking by talking to those who have already traveled in this way. This article will help you get started, or you can find many books on this topic. For example, books by Anton Krotov.
Well, it’s better to learn everything in practice, so pack your backpack and go out of town. A backpack, by the way, plays an important role in hitchhiking. It should not be too big and heavy, it should contain only what is really necessary. Out on the track, look for appropriate place on the side of the road and raise your hand. Don't forget to look drivers in the face. Sometimes they make funny faces or try to tell you something with strange gestures.

Who are hitchhikers. Aren't they vagabonds?

There are several types of hitchhikers:

Tramps and beggars. They have no money, do not want to work and ask drivers to feed, warm and shelter them, thereby creating a bad reputation for other hitchhikers.

Typical hitchhikers. People with limited financial means who have comprehended this method of free movement. They have flexible working hours. They want to travel. Usually they have knowledge and life experience, which they are happy to share with drivers.

Atypical hitchhikers. Hidden millionaires or sages who thus comprehend the world and develop.

Where is the best place to stop?

Connect logic. If you were a driver, where would you pick up a companion? It is better to start outside the city. Do not stand in front of curves or signs prohibiting stopping, and also where there is a strong descent or ascent. It's good to catch hitches right after the gas station.

Is it that easy to travel for free? What if they ask for money?

If they demand money, it's entirely your fault. It is better to pay at least part if you have already been picked up. Before getting into the car, be sure to make it clear that you do not intend to pay. I do like this:

1. I raise my hand.
2. If driving passenger bus or a taxi, I make it clear with gestures that they should go further.
3. If a taxi or a bus still stops, I say the following: “Hello, I am traveling by hitchhike. Unfortunately, I have no money for transport.” (can still deliver)
4. If an ordinary car, a truck, an ambulance, a fire engine, a postal car or a fuel truck stops, I say: “Hello, give me a lift, how much will you be on the way to the side ...”(if the driver himself talks about paying for the fare, say what was in the previous paragraph).
5. If the driver invited you into the car (this happens in 99% of cases if you are in a country where the phenomenon of hitchhiking is quite common), get to know him and when the car starts, be sure to tell us that you are traveling by hitchhike, from where and where you are going. How we tried hitchhiking, about its features. That's all, money is usually not asked. There are countries where all taxi drivers, but this separate topic, there are nuances.

Why would a driver take someone for free?

For several reasons. Perhaps the driver wants to sleep or is bored. Then you will need to tell him something, or listen to his stories.

Among those who give rides to hitchhikers, there are many who used to hitchhike themselves. In addition, a person can simply be pleased to do a good deed.

What to talk about with the driver?

It would be good form, for starters, to introduce yourself and tell where, where and why you are going. If, after your story, the driver did not ask you anything and did not tell anything about himself, just shut up and look out the window. Maybe he just doesn't like to talk.

But what about maniacs, murderers and rapists?

There are very few of them on the ground and most likely they will pass you by. You can, getting into the car, memorize its number, just in case. Especially if you go somewhere, leaving things in it. Most importantly, don't be a victim! Be confident.

One of my acquaintances was just a good psychologist in critical cases. In 20 years of hitchhiking, they tried to rape her 2 times. She told one cleaner that she herself wanted to, but she was ashamed because she had not washed for a week and she already had a smell there. And the other, that she doesn’t mind, but she definitely needs a condom, because a month ago she had a gonorrhea, she picked it up from some trucker. In general, in case of danger, you need to navigate according to the situation.

If you are a girl, it is advisable to find a partner and ride with him. Truckers are much more willing to bring one person, but it’s still safer together. Traveling in a group of more than two people is difficult. You will not fit with things in a conventional vehicle, especially if there is already a passenger.

Where do hitchhikers sleep?

Best of all, find at least two entries in each city along the way (one spare, just in case) But be sure to warn the one you will not stop at. It is better to plan a route and send requests in advance.

There is an opinion that you can spend the night in a church or a monastery. Once my girlfriend and I got caught in the rain, it was cold and I decided, for the sake of experiment, to try to arrange an overnight stay in Orthodox church. They ridiculed me and told me to stop fooling around and go to the hotel. So what's in Orthodox churches often inhabited by not very friendly people. That night we slept in a tent. As for Muslim mosques, you will probably be given shelter. In Islam, it is customary to consider travelers on an equal footing with pilgrims. Faithful Muslims usually respect travelers and try to help in every possible way. Also, according to my friends, you can easily get an overnight stay in Buddhist temples even if you don't know the local language. A friend spent the night like this in the monasteries of Nepal, Thailand and Myanmar.

It is ideal to have a tent with you, then you can always go to sleep in the forest, in the field or on the beach. Once, on a dark night, I thought that I had settled down for the night in a landing on the edge of the city, but woke up in a cemetery :) When you go to bed in a tent, be sure to insert pieces of cotton wool or mint into your ears toilet paper to avoid insects.

If you are driving in a truck, the driver will probably let you go to the second shelf in the cab. You can even fit two people in there.

Can two people ride in trucks?

By law, there is only one passenger seat, but many drivers bring up two. Behind the seats there is usually a couch. It is desirable for the second to hide from traffic cops so as not to create unnecessary problems for the driver.

Moral rules of hitchhiking:

1. If possible, don't ask for anything.
2. Don't get arrogant if you are offered something. Try to give up everything. If the driver wants to give you money, tell him what you have and don't need. If he continues to insist, tell him Thanks a lot and take.
3. Prepare thoroughly for the trip. Have a supply of money and food. Make sure you have an overnight stay.
4. Just be a good man and you won't have any problems.

And so we continue to talk further about the basic secrets and rules of hitchhiking, which will help you quickly and most importantly get to your desired place as safely as possible. Or even if you want to travel the world for months, while spending no more money than you would spend sitting at home on the couch, and sometimes even much less. Naturally, at the same time, getting many times more pleasure, and most importantly, valuable experience.

If you have not yet read the first part of the tips about "" or "" then it is better to do this before reading the second part. Well, if you are ready, then I invite you to a mysterious but interesting world practical hitchhiking.

Naturally, when hitchhiking, the main criterion you should put is not the speed of movement, but your safety. Fortunately, there are tips that will increase both your speed and safety while hitchhiking, but there are also those that will either increase your speed or safety. Now let's take a closer look at both groups of such tips or even hitchhiking rules.

The dangers of hitchhiking

Hitchhiking and traffic accidents

In general, of course, there is a danger when hitchhiking, and the biggest one is connected with an accident, but unfortunately you are not insured from this even when you are in your own car, and just walking along the streets of your city.

Therefore, hitchhiking is, on average, no more dangerous than traveling by car. own car, but of course you should still take security measures, at least buckle up. And yet, most of the accidents are minor, and you won’t even spoil your mood due to peeled paint or a broken headlight, since the car is still not yours.

I can also add that it is not very good to stop during a very dense traffic of cars, especially on the highway where there is only 1 lane, and a lot of trucks mixed with cars. Drivers who have been trying to overtake large and slow-moving trucks for a long time simply may not want to stop so as not to lose their honestly deserved place in a tight column, and stopping or exiting on the side of the road in such conditions is quite unsafe.

Try, at least in this case, to choose the most convenient place for the exit to the side of the road, and in a place with the least average speed passing cars.

How to properly stop a car

Also great practical advice for all hitchhikers, if you are in front of any intersection, then it is better to catch or, as hitchhikers say, stop a car just behind the intersections. Since those drivers who are not on the way with you simply turn in the direction they need, but instead of them, drivers traveling from other villages or cities can turn from this intersection to the route you need.

And even better if you have a GPS navigator in your phone with you and lay your own optimal route travel. Sometimes it helps to see the nearest intersection, greatly reduce the travel time, or avoid getting to where you didn’t need to at all. Because without knowing the terrain, sometimes you can even drive a little in circles or along a very long route.

Sometimes, if you stand for more than 20-30 minutes, and see that no one stops, or they stop and say that they are not on the way with you, you can go a little further along the track to the next convenient place for autostop.

How to hitchhike faster

There is also an option on how to hitchhike faster by stopping cars just by walking along the highway, I do this quite often. If you are tired of standing, or just want to change your place for hitchhiking, you can simply walk along the track even with your back to the passing cars with your hand out. And oddly enough, cars stop like this is also quite normal, although going backwards will be a little disrespectful, and less safe.

Yes, and most likely drivers will stop earlier if you look them in the eye, especially impressionable drivers may even wake up a conscience. How best to hitchhike is hard to say for sure, but you can always try in different ways. AND with experience, you will develop your own style of hitchhiking, and your own “dancing with a tambourine” that helps you personally.

Naturally, if you wish, you can not stand still with a gesture of hitchhiking on the side of the road, or you can try to speed up even more. For example, jumping and yelling to get you quickly, or in some other way attract the attention of drivers with their inadequate appearance, signs with records or behavior.

I don’t know if this will help you or not, but it is likely that it can help, especially if you show miracles of erudition and interest passing drivers, although I usually do not do this. Of course, do not forget about your safety, running out into the road, you can also put yourself at risk.

Hitchhiking Safety Rules

In this case, you can simply ask him where he is going and say that you accidentally mixed up the direction, and you generally need to cross the road and go the other way. Then apologize to wish him good luck, close the door and slowly leave.

Naturally, such legibility can also slow down your speed, and yet most drivers are adequate, even despite their sometimes intimidating appearance. After all, even behind a pile of muscles and a two-week unshaven, a kind and sympathetic soul can hide.

Personally, I went with sitting people, and the drivers who gave me a lift were fined on the road for various violations, and cars broke down right on the road and they had to be repaired.

Even once with a driver who had just recently served time and was clearly not spoiled by fate appearance, the diesel fuel ended, since before he took me, he paid a large fine for overtaking in an unauthorized place. He gave all the money, and he didn’t have anything to buy diesel fuel to get home himself, but he still took me in the rain, and drove me to that place until his engine stalled, then he greatly apologized that he could not drive further.

How to hitchhike safely

And I heard a lot more similar cases, therefore, my recommendation, if possible, is to trust people and not be afraid, because we never know in advance which situation will lead to which particular outcome. But it is better not to get into a car with drunks, drug addicts or people with a pronounced inadequacy and aggressivenessbefore the start of the trip.

Even this simple hitchhiking rule will help prevent more than 50% of potentially unpleasant situations and allow you to safely hitchhike to your destination.

Also, if you are used to relying on your intuition in life and know how to trust it, you can also refuse to go if for some reason it is in this moment to say that now it is clearly not worth going.

And this does not have to be connected precisely with the danger, perhaps in 2 minutes it will drive up good car with air conditioning and a cheerful driver who will take you right to destination your destination. I even heard cases when people caught even one car for 3-4 thousand kilometers of continuous travel, and this is of course a great success, especially for a long hitchhiking.

Your own luggage is of course the best and safest solution to take with you, but more often than not you will have a large backpack, which you will be asked to put either in the back seat or placed in the trunk. It will depend on the driver of the car, and in principle you should not be afraid of this, but as a precaution, it is best to keep the most valuable things and money with you.

It is best to always take with you the most possible minimum and the lightest, especially if you are going to often walk with this burden on your shoulders, and drivers with a small load will pick you up much more readily and faster. And here are the detailed rules of hitchhiking that it is advisable to take with you on a trip read in a separate article.

Hitchhiking

Some very advanced people even say this rule if you are going to hitchhike, " if you are afraid of losing or breaking something, it is better not to take it with you at all long road ". Even if you accidentally lost money, karemat or something else. Remember that they can be found by someone else who may need them 1000 times more than you.

Remember in principle on the road, you can do without any material thing, just let them go and thank fate for giving them to needy hands. And the next time, if you do not stop at the opportunities and hesitate to use them when you really need something, fate will definitely provide you with the opportunity to find what you personally need.

Hitchhiker Safety Rules

If you are very concerned about safety, as a variant of the safe hitchhiker rules, you can remember or take pictures of the license plates of cars picking you up. Then it will be very easy to find such a car that picked you up on the road, but I also have never heard of a case that it really had to be done.

Another very interesting question, which is also directly related to your safety, but at the same time can greatly slow down your hitchhiking is “ how many people can hitchhike at the same time" or “whom to take as a companion when hitchhiking«.

There is no consensus on this issue, but there are usually certain patterns or rules of hitchhiking related to the speed of movement and safety when traveling with fellow travelers. The simplest recommendation here is how less people rides with you, the faster you will hitchhike, but your trip will be more boring and dangerous.

Therefore, it is best to find some middle option, and always move as quickly and as safely as possible, which is what I wish you. But the rules of hitchhiking on how to do it right, and how many fellow travelers are safer to take with you, or is it better to travel alone, we will consider in the next article

You must be washed, shaved and dressed cleanly. No traces of blood (this is not a joke, anything happens on the road) and sweat. The absence of a beard allows the driver to see your face better. It seems that drivers will be more happy to put into the car a person who looks like a student heading to a place of study than a person who looks like the lead singer of ZZ Top.

2. Take off your dark glasses!

Whether they are cheap or very expensive, it doesn't matter, you still need to take them off. The driver must see your eyes.

3. Maintain good neighborly relations

This advice is not for a long trip, but in case you need to get somewhere in the city. By maintaining good relations with the neighbors, you can sometimes ask them to drop you off at the right place.

4. One traveler - one bag!

Lighten your luggage as much as possible. Ideally, this should be one not too large backpack with the most necessary things. Of course, you can drag with you everything that “may be useful”, but it’s better if you can put the luggage on your lap in the car and you don’t have to strain the driver to open the trunk or clear the back seat of his things.

5. Get creative

What tricks do people go to to get hooked. Demonstration of female legs is already from the category of banal (and you need to be careful with this). Some are chasing cars or performing some acrobatic stunts. You know how you can stand out - use it.

6. Choose the right place

If you need to start your journey from big city then get to public transport or walk to the countryside (20-30 kilometers from the city). There you will already catch a car that follows on far distance. In addition, it is foolish to assume that the driver will stop and pick you up in the bustle of city traffic.

Learn the laws of hitchhiking in the city you are in. For example, it is illegal to hitchhike on highways in New Zealand.

7. Make a sign with the name of the destination

There is no way to say for sure whether it will help you or not. On the one hand, there is a chance to catch a car that goes straight to the destination, and on the other hand, those who go not so far will not stop.

If you are traveling in a foreign-speaking country and do not know the language, then on the plate you can write in the local language (a dictionary to help you): “I can speak (list the languages)”. Perhaps the driver will want to have a fellow traveler who can keep up the conversation, and not be limited to greetings and farewells.

8. Choose the right time of day

During peak hours (in the morning from 7 to 9, in the evening from 4 to 6) you will remain standing on the track, despite the fact that dozens of cars pass by you. A driver who would love to pick you up during the day won't want to do it in the morning when he's driving his child to school. Office workers in the evening only think about how to get home faster, they also do not need fellow travelers.

9. It often helps the traveler to look miserable.

A traveler can be lucky if he looks miserable: rain, an empty country road, and he, so miserable and alone in this unfair world, is standing in only a T-shirt and shorts at a time when it is almost 0º outside. Such a traveler will also be fed along the way.

10. You are not exceptional.

You should never think that you have a special exclusive right to travel. Of course, it is very unpleasant and tiring to stand in the rain or in the heat, watching car after car pass by you. Thoughts begin: “Well, why didn’t this car take me? After all, it was completely empty ... ”, a person loses hope, stops smiling at drivers and only lazily raises his finger up, and even then only in front of every fifth car. Remember that strangers do you the honor of putting you in their car, and say a stern no to dull thoughts.


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