I go by vibes (gut feelings) also. I am sorry to say that I also profile. If the guy (doesn't matter if white/black/etc..) is dressed for the season, not in "gangsta gear" or looking like he (or even she) made money but not from an honest job, then no, I won't give a ride.
Poll: Give a Stranger a Ride?
- Thread starter Low-Sci
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Twenty years ago, sure no problem... Today, no.
Too suspicious an age. (Mine and the world's.)
A couple of months ago my aunt and uncle were driving into Flagstaff and came across a car that had gone off the side of the road. A nice looking couple were standing by it looking distressed. They stopped and ended up giving the strangers a ride into town.
On their way back home my aunt and uncle saw several state troopers milling around the car that the "nice" couple had come from. It turns out that the couple were fugitives. After telling the police where they dropped them off and what they were wearing, my aunt and uncle were sent on their way.
Too many ways this could have gone bad.
Too suspicious an age. (Mine and the world's.)
A couple of months ago my aunt and uncle were driving into Flagstaff and came across a car that had gone off the side of the road. A nice looking couple were standing by it looking distressed. They stopped and ended up giving the strangers a ride into town.
On their way back home my aunt and uncle saw several state troopers milling around the car that the "nice" couple had come from. It turns out that the couple were fugitives. After telling the police where they dropped them off and what they were wearing, my aunt and uncle were sent on their way.
Too many ways this could have gone bad.
Erebus
Member
Very lucky the fugitives didn't decide to acquire a new vehicle and not leave witnesses.
MrTwigg
Member
A clean cut black guy, no problem. If he's raggin' & saggin' no way. I prefer to treat people as fellow humans, but I ain't stupid.
Hemicuda
member
No, but for a different reason...
the 'Cuda - white interior, nobody wears shoes in it... it's a showcar, and with acast, shoes hard to remoe
the Jeep and the '01Ram, lifted, big tires, with a cast, he can't get in...
motorcycle - she seats 2-up, but him and me together would exceed max GVW...
then again, with my choice of transportation, i doubt he'd be asking me!
the 'Cuda - white interior, nobody wears shoes in it... it's a showcar, and with acast, shoes hard to remoe
the Jeep and the '01Ram, lifted, big tires, with a cast, he can't get in...
motorcycle - she seats 2-up, but him and me together would exceed max GVW...
then again, with my choice of transportation, i doubt he'd be asking me!
No way
I develop situational awareness in order to avoid danger. Stopping is courting danger. We had a story today in Houston of some poor schmoo who stopped only to find that the "stalled car" had several attackers in it.
Springmom
I develop situational awareness in order to avoid danger. Stopping is courting danger. We had a story today in Houston of some poor schmoo who stopped only to find that the "stalled car" had several attackers in it.
Springmom
A couple of years back, maybe 3, before I carried daily, I was offered a ride, and accepted. It was, at the time, a God-send. I was having to walk a few miles to the shop to get my car. The distance wasn't the issue, it was the roads that weren't exactly great to have to walk on. I was barely out of sight from my house before a guy pulled up, and offered me a ride.
The lessons my mother taught me (never take a ride with strangers) fought with my gut (climb in). I went with my gut, he got me to the shop, and I never saw him again. Nice guy, whoever he was.
I have to second trust your gut. Your gut btw, is NOT what your eyes see. The guy who offered me a ride was kind of scraggly looking, but it was the scraggly look of someone who has been working. Granted, I also second never give someone in inner cities a ride, when this happened it was off in a very rural part of the county. (Hence the reason why the roads weren't great to walk on, well paved, people liked to speed around curves, and no place to stand but in the road.)
The lessons my mother taught me (never take a ride with strangers) fought with my gut (climb in). I went with my gut, he got me to the shop, and I never saw him again. Nice guy, whoever he was.
I have to second trust your gut. Your gut btw, is NOT what your eyes see. The guy who offered me a ride was kind of scraggly looking, but it was the scraggly look of someone who has been working. Granted, I also second never give someone in inner cities a ride, when this happened it was off in a very rural part of the county. (Hence the reason why the roads weren't great to walk on, well paved, people liked to speed around curves, and no place to stand but in the road.)
If he didn't plan ahead that's his problem. I don't ask anyone for anything and I expect the same from others. Not that I'm mean... I just don't see the point in putting myself in a potentially bad situation for no reason.
I don't give anyone anything unless I know them personally.
I don't give anyone anything unless I know them personally.
Glock_10mm
Member
I have a protected by glock sticker on the front windshield (passenger side)...haven't had anyone ask for a ride yet!!! I take that back I did pick up a friend of a friends girlfriend once but I had met her once before so I guess that doesn't count.
Would I give a ride to someone on the street, probably not, but if someone had a breakdown and I stopped to help (done it before), and they needed a ride to the nearest exit I might do it...depends on the scenario, who I feel I'm dealing with, the severity of the situation (ie is anyone hurt or in trouble) and the firepower I'm packing. I know that its a known ploy out there to car jack, but again, I'd evaluate the situation first. Preferably, I'd just let them use my cellphone to call for help, or let them use the arsenal of tools I carry with me as my car is suped up and constantly breaks down, so I have every tool imaginable in the back. Again just depends on the situation, but I would always lean to not let anyone I dont know in the car.
As for the cast scenario, I'd pass him up. From the sound of the scenario should I lose my gun, sounds like he has the advantage (height weight, and cast could be fake, crutch could be a shotgun/sword, etc). Also the pen case could be a blade ready to plunge through the side so I'd be leary. Not that someone small couldn't just as easily take me but again its the scenario. Being that the issue is not getting to the bus in time, its not worth the risk to me. Leaving an old person, or pregnant woman on the side of the highway at night or worse a really hot day is a different scenario though. If I feel there is little threat to me, and a big threat to the person on the road, I might consider it, but the scenario has to be right.
PS - I tend not to stop for able bodied people, lol.
Would I give a ride to someone on the street, probably not, but if someone had a breakdown and I stopped to help (done it before), and they needed a ride to the nearest exit I might do it...depends on the scenario, who I feel I'm dealing with, the severity of the situation (ie is anyone hurt or in trouble) and the firepower I'm packing. I know that its a known ploy out there to car jack, but again, I'd evaluate the situation first. Preferably, I'd just let them use my cellphone to call for help, or let them use the arsenal of tools I carry with me as my car is suped up and constantly breaks down, so I have every tool imaginable in the back. Again just depends on the situation, but I would always lean to not let anyone I dont know in the car.
As for the cast scenario, I'd pass him up. From the sound of the scenario should I lose my gun, sounds like he has the advantage (height weight, and cast could be fake, crutch could be a shotgun/sword, etc). Also the pen case could be a blade ready to plunge through the side so I'd be leary. Not that someone small couldn't just as easily take me but again its the scenario. Being that the issue is not getting to the bus in time, its not worth the risk to me. Leaving an old person, or pregnant woman on the side of the highway at night or worse a really hot day is a different scenario though. If I feel there is little threat to me, and a big threat to the person on the road, I might consider it, but the scenario has to be right.
PS - I tend not to stop for able bodied people, lol.
Low-Sci
Member
In fairness, I'd had lots of time to look this guy over, as we were walking the same direction on the same side of the street, and I had come around the block from behind him.
I have an NRA bumper sticker on my trunklid, didn't seem to deter him. Moving as slow as he was, he must have had plenty of time to figure out what's up. It may have been offset, however, by the fact that my car is purple and looks remarkably like an egg.
I have an NRA bumper sticker on my trunklid, didn't seem to deter him. Moving as slow as he was, he must have had plenty of time to figure out what's up. It may have been offset, however, by the fact that my car is purple and looks remarkably like an egg.
CNYCacher
Member
I gave a guy a ride once, he was carrying a big bag down the road and I felt bad for him so I stopped and picked him up. He set the bag on the floorboards between his feet and we were off.
We were going along for about a minute or two when I noticed that he kept peeking in the bag every 10 seconds or so. Finally my curiosity got the best of me, I asked him, "What's in the bag?". You know what he said? "None of your darn business."
At first I thought that was really rude of me, then I realized that I was going out of my way to help the guy, and I kinda wanted to know what was in the bag, so it was my right to know what he had brought into my car!
I asked him again "c'mon, what's in the bag, dude!"
"None of your darn business!"
Now I was angry.
"You tell me what you brought into MY car in that bag, or you can get out!"
"None of your darn business!!"
I slammed on the brakes and we came to a screaching halt on the shoulder of the road.
"Get out!"
He called me some choice names and exited the car, slamming his door. I laid rubber as I took off down the road.
After I got to where I was going, I was getting out of the car and I looked over at the passenger side:
He had left the bag in the car!!
We were going along for about a minute or two when I noticed that he kept peeking in the bag every 10 seconds or so. Finally my curiosity got the best of me, I asked him, "What's in the bag?". You know what he said? "None of your darn business."
At first I thought that was really rude of me, then I realized that I was going out of my way to help the guy, and I kinda wanted to know what was in the bag, so it was my right to know what he had brought into my car!
I asked him again "c'mon, what's in the bag, dude!"
"None of your darn business!"
Now I was angry.
"You tell me what you brought into MY car in that bag, or you can get out!"
"None of your darn business!!"
I slammed on the brakes and we came to a screaching halt on the shoulder of the road.
"Get out!"
He called me some choice names and exited the car, slamming his door. I laid rubber as I took off down the road.
After I got to where I was going, I was getting out of the car and I looked over at the passenger side:
He had left the bag in the car!!
joab
Member
Given the scenario presented.
If it is obviously not a scam, which I think would be easy to determine. I would feel almost compelled to give the guy a ride even if it was slightly out of my way.
Kharma smiles on those that help fellow travelers in need
If it is obviously not a scam, which I think would be easy to determine. I would feel almost compelled to give the guy a ride even if it was slightly out of my way.
Kharma smiles on those that help fellow travelers in need
Rich K
Member
I would probably give him a ride if I was alone. I have stopped and helped people in the city( south of 8 mile) for any Detroiters on this board. I believe that if you do a good turn for somebody, it will come back to you. Besides, imagine if your wife/sister/girlfriend/daughter had a flat in a bad area, would you not want someone to help them get on their way before something bad happened? Just my .02.
Devonai
Member
For the scenario described, I would give him a ride if I was carrying. Since that's 99% of the time, I voted yes.
That being said, I have only picked up a hitcher once, and I had two friends in the car too.
That being said, I have only picked up a hitcher once, and I had two friends in the car too.
joab
Member
So what was in the bag?
Lupinus
Member
sure, if it was fifty years ago before people were animals.
As it is, sorry no rides. If its a bad neighborhood and see someone that looks totaly out of place I might consider it....maybe if you catch me in a good mood. But I'd say 99% of the time my answer is going to be no, to many animals in the world we live in today.
As it is, sorry no rides. If its a bad neighborhood and see someone that looks totaly out of place I might consider it....maybe if you catch me in a good mood. But I'd say 99% of the time my answer is going to be no, to many animals in the world we live in today.
cbsbyte
Member
I believe it depends on where one lives and the situation. No problems giving a stranger a ride, where I live in farm country about 30 miles from a large city. The nearest large town with a bus depot is a college town. If I lived in a large urban area with high crime rate then I would probably not give anyone a ride.
Every one is different,gut feeling applies, in this situation most likely I would.
Cautious even suspicious, sure makes sense, but if your at the point where every one you see is a deranged psycho killer in your mind...well...humm... good luck with all that!
Cautious even suspicious, sure makes sense, but if your at the point where every one you see is a deranged psycho killer in your mind...well...humm... good luck with all that!
History Prof
Member
CNYCacher said:...
"You tell me what you brought into MY car in that bag, or you can get out!"
"None of your darn business!!"
I slammed on the brakes and we came to a screaching halt on the shoulder of the road.
"Get out!"
He called me some choice names and exited the car, slamming his door. I laid rubber as I took off down the road.
After I got to where I was going, I was getting out of the car and I looked over at the passenger side:
He had left the bag in the car!!
Hey, you can't tell a story like that, and not tell us what was in the bag! You musta looked inside, right?
History Prof
Member
When I was about 20 or so, a friend and I were heading out to the range to send some lead flying, and we had about 8-9 rifles in the back seat of my car, and a few pistols on the seat between us. As we were entering the interstate onramp, there was this little old lady - had to have been about 70-75 - hitchhiking. We decided to see if we could help her out. She took one look in the car and said "I think I'll wait for the next one..." I still wonder why she was hitchhiking in the first place.
It is very common where I live now, but it is always the same people - a couple of farm hands who hitchhike across the community, and the Native American college students who hitchhike from town to the Res. Every once in a while, strangers hitchhike through, or they stop and panhandle at walmart, but the local LEOs usually help them along.
To answer the original question - NO. Not in today's world, unless the hitchhiker were one of my students (and male only, as I don't need any funny allegations from female students) and I was going his way.
It is very common where I live now, but it is always the same people - a couple of farm hands who hitchhike across the community, and the Native American college students who hitchhike from town to the Res. Every once in a while, strangers hitchhike through, or they stop and panhandle at walmart, but the local LEOs usually help them along.
To answer the original question - NO. Not in today's world, unless the hitchhiker were one of my students (and male only, as I don't need any funny allegations from female students) and I was going his way.
MadMercS55
Member
Too many whackos out there use the "disability" scheme to their advantage. When I was a LEO, I had 2 incidents involving that technique. One was a guy on crutches with a leg cast trying to load stuff into his vehicle outside a local apartment complex. Several guys offered help, he refused, but he did approach a female for help. Thankfully a resident realized this as well and called the Police. He was wanted for rape in a nearby town. Second was similar but the guy was feigning a broken arm and disabled car on the roadside at night.
I hate seeing people down on their luck, and I help anywhere and anytime I can, but in today's world, hitchhikers are generally on their own IMO.
If a guy has a disabled vehicle and is walking I will stop briefly and offer to call a tow service or similar for him, but by no means does anyone enter my vehicle.
I hate seeing people down on their luck, and I help anywhere and anytime I can, but in today's world, hitchhikers are generally on their own IMO.
If a guy has a disabled vehicle and is walking I will stop briefly and offer to call a tow service or similar for him, but by no means does anyone enter my vehicle.
Valkman
Member
Here in Vegas, very doubtful I'd give anyone a ride and never if the wife is there, which she usually is. When we move to Pahrump that might change as it's a much different world there.
Derby FALs
Member In Memoriam
Would you get in a car with this man?
lawson
Member
my brother was carjacked for stopping to help a woman change a tire. he was accosted by two armed men who took his truck, and the woman left with them. it's a sad state of affairs where you can't help strangers like you used to, but that's what it's come to. i used to stop and try to help people if i had the time, but now i don't. too much to lose.
a week or so ago a guy offered me $40 for a ride across town. i told him i'd gladly call him a cab who would gladly take his $40. he declined my offer and kept waiting, probably for someone else to take him up on it. i go with my gut, and my gut doesn't trust people i don't know.
a week or so ago a guy offered me $40 for a ride across town. i told him i'd gladly call him a cab who would gladly take his $40. he declined my offer and kept waiting, probably for someone else to take him up on it. i go with my gut, and my gut doesn't trust people i don't know.
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