Etiquette for Hitchhiking

All too frequently escaping prisoners or police characters use the “thumb” method of getting quickly from place to place. Too many goodhearted motorists have been slugged and robbed of their money and automobiles left stranded on lonely roads.
–With gasoline more expensive during WWII and conservation measures a must, Emily Post advised female employees of the U.S. Defense Department to hitchhike to work in 1942, just 3 years after this article was published.

Hitch-Hiking Highway Peril 

BE CAREFUL in picking up hitch-hikers. This warning was issued by police and highway patrol authorities recently as the summer touring season opened with highways in every direction lined with professional and amateur “thumbers.” So common has become the practice of “hitching” rides that set rules of etiquette and procedure for those seeking lifts have been widely circulated by experts in the business of chiseling transportation. 

Among other things the rules say: “It is found expedient to maintain a well-groomed appearance and a cheerful countenance. Books carried under the arm indicate a student and therefore an ambitious person commendable character. Bags and luggage or traveling kits should be carefully placed endwise so that the legs conceal them from the eyes of approaching motorists, yet may be snatched up at the first squeal of rubber on the pavement.”

But highway patrolmen and police know these tricks of the "hitchers" and many, more that are much more annoying to the motorists who furnish the free rides. All too frequently escaping prisoners or police characters use the “thumb” method of getting quickly from place to place. Too many goodhearted motorists have been slugged and robbed of their money and automobiles left stranded on lonely roads. 

“There is danger every time a motorist picks up a stranger,” E. Raymond Curto, state chief of the highway patrol recently said. “Almost every day some motorist is beaten or robbed by a hitch-hiker to whom he had extended courtesy of a lift.” With hitch-hikers so well organized that they issue rules of instruction to their kind, law enforcement officers charged with protection of the traveling public themselves suggest a few rules for the motorist. 

Never pick up a strange hiker when driving alone, is one of the first suggestions. Do not pick up hikers at night is another. At no time pick up a hitch-hiker if you are carrying money, jewelry or other valuables, and under no circumstances allow the hiker to drive your car. These are all good rules, and should be carefully observed by every motorist traveling today. While there are many deserving hikers wagging their thumbs along every travel artery it's far better to be safe than sorry. – Press Democrat,1939

🍽Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia