Is it normal for a girl to hitchhike?

40% Normal
24 Comments

I am a 25 year old female and since age 17 I've periodically hitchhiked (mostly within a city) because it's convenient and thrilling. A lot of my experiences are late night (after transit stops) and I've had some cool experiences that way. I've never felt threatened, but then again I know a lot about self defence and am confident that I could beat the crxp out of an attacker should I ever need to. Is this normal?

Voting Results
40% Normal
Based on 78 votes (31 yes)
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Comments ( 24 )
  • gwenivere
    12 years ago

    Totally normal! Use a rideshare site to increase the likelihood of a safe ride: http://www.triphopping.com/

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  • BurnaTwist
    12 years ago

    could you beat up a pistol? or chloroform? i would advise against it but if you feel confident in what you do, go for it, just be super careful

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    • Anonymous Post Author
      12 years ago

      You might be right about the chloroform, but luckily I live in Canada so people don't tend to have guns :) I also never flag cars that are commonly owned by gang members, or anything too flashy. But actually the argument against chloroform (and axe murderers etc) is that there is a very small percentage of people who both i) would do this and ii) actually have some set up to go so that they could use it on me when I get in the car - you see, no one expects to see a hitchhiker in the city, so predators aren't driving around with their chloro rags all ready, looking to pick up hitchhikers. Every single person that's ever picked me up (except in small communities where hitching is the norm) is very surprised to see me do it - so even if they wanted to hurt me, they would most likely be unprepared to do so. Mostly I get picked up by women trying to protect me from these types. But I do appreciate your input.

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    • flutterhigh
      12 years ago

      This is the problem with martial arts/self defense classes. Young people think they're even more invincible than they already feel. Nothing compares to actual fighting experience, and even that can't do much against a gun.

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      • bananaface
        12 years ago

        I think this is the first serious post that I've ever seen you write:O

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      • Anonymous Post Author
        12 years ago

        True in general, but trust me I have quite a lot of actual fighting experience (and yes, I was expecting you to know this without me actually writing it in the question because I am a perfectly reasonable person, lol)

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  • mcdoodlebutts
    12 years ago

    you're an idiot to do that. you could get raped or killed. whats your name? i want to tell people i responded to your post when I watch you're murder mystery on "the first 48."

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    • VioletTrees
      11 years ago

      You're a douche.

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  • gloryholeflasher
    8 years ago

    I think you should only hitchhike if you have a death wish! You also should consider a predator could have a stun gun, which you would have no defense against. He could also have removed or disabled the inside handle of the door so you can't get out. If I knew who you are I would take out an insurance policy on your life and start planning my retirement.

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  • Avant-Garde
    9 years ago

    It is much safer for a man than it is for a woman, especially at night. If you intend to continue with these late night excursions, I highly suggest that you disguise yourself as a man. It would be much safer this way.

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  • daydreamer394
    9 years ago

    How do you approach that safely?

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  • Avant-Garde
    11 years ago

    I think where I live hitchhiking is considered illegal. Anyway, you may know some self-defence, but not all
    self-defence can work in tight quarters especially if weapons and noxious gases are involved. It's too dangerous, if you're going to do it then do it with someone you know.

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  • visualguy
    12 years ago

    I've hitch hiked 9000 miles in north America. dont do it.

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  • wigsplitz
    12 years ago

    I've not really hitchhiked too much, but I've picked them up an awful lot. Most places I've lived, it shouldn't be a big deal. One place I lived, it was bad, and you really shouldn't be doing that but I'm strong and I trusted my instincts...I know how to spot a set-up, so it didn't seem like a big risk to me at the time. Sometimes some people just need a break. The places I've lived are typically rural and/or sprawled out so it's no picnic to walk. Not like there's any public transport or anything even.

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  • emilydoll
    12 years ago

    I used to do this

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  • Violet_Heart
    12 years ago

    It's normal, I don't think it's as dangerous as how it was before.. People are friendlier =]

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    • lisac1919
      12 years ago

      poeple are friendlier? reeally?

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      • flutterhigh
        12 years ago

        Well, Lisa C... since you're 92 years old, you tell us.

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        • lisac1919
          12 years ago

          what?

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          • flutterhigh
            12 years ago

            I decoded your username. Share your wisdom with us.

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            • lisac1919
              12 years ago

              lol well where did you get 92 from?
              anyways i live in slovakia and just a couple years ago there was communism...people were a lot nicer back then, now its completly different

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