Hitchhiking Guide for Women

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About the Author: Carla has explored a number of places including the little country of Slovenia. She is an expat, traveler, writer and translator. Be sure to check out The Globetrotting Texan and follow her tweets at @caveniakoency.

If you have ever wanted to try your hand at hitch-hiking, there are a few things any novice should be aware of. But if you’re also a female at that, then I feel it is my duty as a semi-experienced hitch-hiker to dispel some of the fears linked to it, and share some extra precautions to be taken that are already deemed common sense in the hitch-hiking world.

First things first: in our modern times where curious devices such as Rapex exist, not such an extreme measure is actually needed when hitch-hiking. Think about it: have you ever picked up a hitch-hiker? Have you been one? Both positions are a bit scary, and require a lot of trust on a complete stranger. Remember when spiders used to make you cry as a child and Mom said “It’s more scared of you than you are scared of it. It’s kind of like the same.

Let’s go in a bit deeper into this fear: if the idea of hitch-hiking or picking up a hitch-hiker scares you, it’s usually because at some point in your life you might have overdosed on scary movies or you may just pay too much attention to urban myths.

Will you let pop fantasy detract you from this experience? Allow yourself to discover the joy of free travel with unexpected great company (beware: you may turn forever!). The media is constantly exaggerating on the dangers of everything, and urban myths are myths for a very good reason. If we were to guide ourselves by these portrayals, well, we might not ever fly on planes because they might crash, nor discover the joy of eating pop rocks while drinking a soda…

Don’t forget, hitch-hiking is not a one-sided process. You can also participate -not as a hitch-hiker- but as a hitch-hiker picker-upper, also known as a driver. If you are considering ever being the one stretching out your thumb off a road, the best thing you can do to gather up the courage to do so, is to pick up a hitch-hiker yourself first! See how it feels to be the one on the steering wheel, so next time you’re the one jumping into a car, you have a better idea of what to expect from the situation and how to act: just as you would expect a stranger to act in your car.

So, if I have persuaded you to perhaps indulge in the wonderful art of hitch-hiking, here is a brief but thorough beginner’s guide to the craft:

First, let’s call things by their name: what in the Americas we refer to as hitch-hiking, in Europe most countries call it auto-stop. It’s a good initial thing to know depending on where you pretend to exercise your thumb.

Be informed.

Every country has different laws regarding where you are permitted to hitch-hike (if at all), and even where you are allowed to stop cars.

Inform yourself on the appropriate hand signal, which might vary by country.

To be informed, you will have to research beforehand (yes, I said it!). Smart hitch-hikers come prepared: it’s not all free-spirited and flower-powery. Hint: websites like www.hitchwiki.org can help!

Be ready.

To wait hours and to brave extreme weather such as rain, cold and heat. Always have a plan B (what if nobody picks you up?).

Be visible -wear bright colors and stand somewhere obvious- and have signs with destination and languages spoken (a drive might be awkward if there is no common language).

And most important of all: KNOW WHERE YOU ARE GOING, and how to get there: so you will know if there is anything wrong going on, or, if the driver gets lost, you can also save the day.

Be cautious.

As soon as a car stops, don’t jump in. Talk to driver first, get a feel for the person: do you see yourself stuck in this person’s car for the next few hours?

Agree on the details beforehand: will the driver expect you to pitch in for gas? Are you both going the same way? Do you have a common language to talk in? Where exactly will you be dropped off?

Get a feel for them, make sure you are going the right way, no detours, and confirm that they are taking the same way you researched before.

Travel in pairs if it makes you feel safer, but keep in mind that more than two is too many.

Make sure you are comfortable: travel with women or families only if that makes you feel better.

Write down license plates, and text them to friend, just in case. Let the driver see you do that, so if there are any bad intentions at all, they will think twice before carrying them out.

Be polite.

Remember, you are a guest in someone’s car. You are being done a favor.

You want to be liked off the bat? Marissa, from New Zealand, who has experience in picking up hitch-hikers, said her favorite hitch-hiker ever was one that as soon as they were picked up, handed over a little gift in appreciation.

Ryan, from Texas -albeit a man- advices “Keep up a fresh appearance, look friendly and share your stories. I had folks even give me cash to help me out.

Have fun! This is more than a free ride, it’s an occasion to socialize and make new friends. Exchange ideas and learn. Share whatever you have -a story, a song, a joke- and relax, enjoy the ride!