Bio-Female Hitching Alone?

[rideitlikeyoustoleit]

I think you may have read too much into that. Seems like a pretty vague and innocent statement to me.

Looking at it now i think your right. Sorry!

 

[Bullet]

Yeah sorry, I didn't mean it like that. I think I was just trying to say that it's sad how we have to go about our lives like that...being so paranoid because it IS true that it's easy to have violence inflicted upon us. And it makes me sad that it's true and we have to have that in our thoughts all of the time. I don't mean don't be cautious. I just mean not to be scared of the world and miss out on everything because of what might happen. There is definitely a fine line to walk between being paranoid and trusting. It's difficult. But being overly tweaked-out paranoid is likely to attract dangerous people who will take advantage of someone who appears weak. People, and especially predators, are great at reading body language.
I didn't mean any offense by that at all. Sorry! Sometimes I'm not so great at articulating what I'm trying to say.

 

[rideitlikeyoustoleit]

I'm sorry too Bullet, I should have thought about it more, or maybe less I guess. But, I totally understand what your saying, and agree with you to boot.

 

[Bullet]

no worries!

 

[Viera]

Should people read this post in the future, hitchhiking solo as a female is great in Canada! Drivers occasionally ask for sex, but don't push the issue. Also, nobody wants to drop you off on the side of the road at night, so they tend to invite you into their homes, let you sleep in their truck, or (one very lucky time) buy a motel room for you. I hear it's more dangerous in the States though, I'll report back once I've done it.

Viera

 

[Viera]

Should people read this post in the future, hitchhiking solo as a female is great in Canada! Drivers occasionally ask for sex, but don't push the issue. Also, nobody wants to drop you off on the side of the road at night, so they tend to invite you into their homes, let you sleep in their truck, or (one very lucky time) buy a motel room for you. I hear it's more dangerous in the States though, I'll report back once I've done it.

Viera

 

[smellsea]

get a dog, that worked for me.
carry a knife, don't be afraid to merc some one..
and just make good judgment, if some creeper pulls up and tells you to get in just say no thank you.

 

[logan714]

sorry chicks
that some men are dicks and just want fuck anything that walks I feel for you I wish you luck and hope you don't get fucked with

I only pick up chicks with gear because in some parts of the US Whores haft to ack like there hitch hickeing to not get fucked by the pigs

the other side of the coin

logan

 

[GutterGrayse]

Hitching alone isn't a problem so long as you at least come off as a strong woman. And never feel bashful about refusing rides. A lot of the time I'll take an extra few hours or couple of days being choosy about rides. Keep your intuition at a peak.

 

[hkbenj]

even with my wits about me and staying true to my intuition about a ride, this is something i would probably never do again, unless it was the most dire of circumstances and i really had reason to feel good about the person picking me up. and even then it would be highly unlikely that i'd accept any ride from an older male, and DEFINITELY not a trucker, ever again. yes that's stereotyping, but i'm stereotyping from my own personal experience. it took me three HORRIBLE experiences, all with truckers, out of the many many rides i've gotten hitching alone, to get it through my thick skull that this was a bad idea to continue doing. i have no doubt that i can defend myself to the fullest of my ability in a shitty situation, and unfortunately now i have had to do that, but honestly i'd just rather fucking ride a train........not worth the risk....stuck alone in a tiny metal box with some psycho who comes across as the nicest person ever when you hop in? i don't know man, ride a train, or check out the "ladies are the tramps" listserve email, thats a great way to hook up with other females who are traveling via road or rails....don't hitch alone unless you REALLY, really have to, and you better fucking have pepper spray and a knife if not something better on you when you do, and know how to use both those things, as well as your hands if thats what it comes down to. there is too much fetishized bullshit about solo female hitchers for half the guys that drive by you, and especially the ones that stop, to not even have the thought cross their mind....if you havent already seen or heard about the myriad of pornographic material involving solo female hitchhikers and you don't believe me, look it up. it's something that's been sexualized and IS in the back of people's heads, whether they decide to act on it, plain and simple.

and just for the record, i am of the opinion that sure, showing a little less skin and perhaps dressing more "like a boy" could make you seem somewhat less sexually attractive in the eyes of a creepy dude...but ladies, if you're alone with a creepy dude who is a creepy dude by nature, just cause you're dressed like a boy doesn't mean he thinks you don't still have a twat that's his to violate in the privacy of his vehicle. i mean come on now. the way you dress is not what's going to make the difference in whether you end up raped or dead, it's if you know how to handle yourself in a physical altercation, plain and simple....and even if you do know how, if you happen to be up against someone bigger than you and possibly with more experience in subduing a victim, it might not even matter if you know how to put up a fight. so bring a buddy, or ride a train, ok?

 

[stove]

Hitching alone isn't a problem so long as you at least come off as a strong woman. And never feel bashful about refusing rides. A lot of the time I'll take an extra few hours or couple of days being choosy about rides. Keep your intuition at a peak.

I totally agree with grayce. Though I'm neither small nor female, I've always found that attitude is very important. Also, knowing how to defend yourself (like, really getting into situations and practicing) is an incredible boost of confidence.

 

[thenomad]

My girlfriend has hitchhiked alone a few times. She usually brings pepper spray and a tazer with her. I think you should bring them and keep 'em in an easily accessible (but hidden) place (i.e. in a belt, hidden by a jacket or something like that).


Tazers are excellent because they disrupt the targets motor neurons; rendering his {NOTE: I am assuming the target is male} muscles useless (and immobile).

Pepper spray is also good because it hurts the target; usually he will double over, and cover his face with his hands giving you some time to escape.

 

[deleted2648]

I've done the west coast, Canada, parts of Europe and even Texas like a big girl. I wouldn't recommend it to just anyone, but that doesn't mean you need to shave your head and tattoo your face to make it on your own. I'm a cute girl, I've got boobs I can't really hide, and I look like anyone's neighbour or something.

I've never had a serious problem with any of my rides. Of course, I'm not counting the amount of propositions that were thrown my way. Most of them went like this :

Driver(usually within the first few minutes): So... how do you get by? How do you eat? How do you make money?
Me: I don't necessarily need money to survive.
Driver: Well, if you want, I can help you out...
Me (just for kicks): Oh really, how's that?
Driver: Uhhhmmmm... you can let me play with your body...
Me (laughing): Aw, sorry man! I don't do that stuff.
Driver: Okay. Well, I'll let you off here, is that okay?
Me: Yup! Good luck, dude! Have a nice day.

These are the nice guys, the ones who are just lonely, horny and a little creepy.

Whenever I am about to take a ride, I always make sure to look at the person right in the eyes. You can tell alot by doing that. Never be afraid to decline!

The worst one I had was northern Slovenia, close to the Austrian border. I was a little lost and managed to get myself in a pretty dangerous spot on a highway entrance, trying to see what was ahead. A car slammed on the breaks, almost getting into an accident, so I ran in and sat in the back seat as fast as possible. He was a young-ish guy, not creepy looking at all, but the language barrier was confusing. We stopped at a gas station, I went to sit up front, leaving my pack in the back. We exchanged some kind of small talk, until I noticed he wasn't going in the right direction. ''Shortcut!'', he said, but I was getting increasingly suspicious. I didn't trust my gut though, cause I was pretty tired, so when we got to the top of some mountain, I realized I had fucked up.

Lessons: 1) No shortcuts! 2) Don't go in a car that almost crashes to pick you up 3) Trust your gut all the time

He stopped to take a piss near a crucified plastic Jesus statue, and when he came back, . I reacted by rolling my eyes shaking my head, and going Really? No. in an angry, but definitely not scared tone. He tried to kiss me so I shoved my fingers in his eyes, then his hands started going all over the place while I was unbuckling my seatbelt. I had to grab my pack in the backseat and pull in through the open window and throw it on the snow while he spat on me and called me an american bitch. I wanted to grab my set of keys and scratch the fuck out of his car. I wanted to break his face. But I just backed up as far as I could, going towards the little houses down the road.

Lessons: 1) Buy mace! I decided to leave mine home because it was illegal in a few Europe countries... meh! 2) Never look scared. 3) Always keep your pack on your knees until you're 100% sure of the person.

The fucker even dared tell me to get back in the car, that he'd give me a ride down. Ha! I waited for him to leave and never turned my back away. When I was sure that he was gone, that's when I started to cry. See I ain't that tough, but the whole ordeal never stopped me from doing it again. I just walked up to one of the houses and asked for a ride down.

What else can I say? Riding alone as a female is incredibly empowering. Carrying mace makes me feel even stronger. I like imagining scenarios when I'm sitting in the car, how I'd blind the fuck out of the guy if he tried anything.
Calculating my moves. Just in case.

 

[Uncle Mom]

I've had a lot of time alone on the road. It's both liberating and frightful. I've had to pull a knife on a guy to get him to let me out of the car. Kudos to all women wanderers.

 

[Zorila]

if your a girl i guess sitting on the backseat and especialy behind the driver gives you the upper if you need it, and if the driver has any objection to this, don't take the ride. and fuck that "never turn down rides" thing, if you turn down a pervert no mean your ungrateful.

i'm a guy and people tend to fear guys more than they fear girls, so i fear not to seem dangerous choosing the backseat, don't want to freak out the driver

 

[Nat]

i agreee!!!!
and ask to have the windo wide open, to 'smoke" or complin its stuffy if you need to make an emergency exit.
i hitched a ride 2 nights ago and you kno its time to get out when you ask them what theyr doing out an about and the reply.............. 'im just, going for a drive......'

 

[ezekiel]

I've had a few problems on the way, but you're right CristrionicDisorder, always trust your gut. I prefer trains though. But I usually have a dog, or my duck with me so I don't go wingnutty when I'm going IRA. I love having my roaddogs with me though, it helps keep life interesting.

 

[MrD]

or my duck

>or my duck
>duck

you travel with a duck?
like, a quack quack duck?

 

[venusinpisces]

Speaking from the perspective of a girl who's hitched alone on many an occasion, I would advise against it. I've had a number of friends who've been raped/assaulted and I've had to end up smacking a couple guys even despite being a very assertive person and following pretty much all the advice here.

But if you must, then do yourself a favor and get a big dog. Guarding breeds are particularly good as long as you're physically capable of managing them and can socialize your dog enough to make sure it won't be a psycho biter. AS most people know, this will cause some challenges because a lot of places where travelers congregate are not too dog-friendly. The Rainbow Gatherings, for example, are full of hippies that are so high on LSD their pit bulls are running around fighting each other and nobody cares. So it will be a headache at times but I think a dog is a much better form of protection than knives for a lot of reasons.

Number one, your likelihood of having to resort to violence is much smaller. In many places across the US, the culture is so conservative that drivers will automatically think any girl is incapable of inflicting harm. Whereas, any good old boy knows that a big dog is going to fuck them up if they do something to the owner. So the chances you can get out of a situation without having to even think about stabbing someone is a lot higher. This is a very good thing.

I pulled a knife on some annoying juggalo kid one time because he thought it would be cute to come over and start humping my leg even after I told him to get off me and told him to stop repeatedly. He literally would not even let me walk away without trying to pin me down on the park bench. That almost turned into a bad situation because his homegirl ran over with a can of mace to "protect" him when he started screaming about the knife. If I had my pit/rott mix then I probably never would have had to worry. Thankfully nobody got hurt during that incident but it sure came close.

Also, there's the fact that if you do end up stabbing someone in some little podunk town, the driver could end up being an "upstanding member" of their community so who will the law believe: them or some unwashed transient? They may just think you're the next Aileen Wuornos. The other thing is that, especially in conservative places, a lot of people assume that if you are a girl and get into a car with a strange man, you're already consenting to sex. I don't agree with this mentality at all but unfortunately that's the way it is sometimes.

If you absolutely do have to protect yourself, the easiest way is to shove your fingers in their eyesocket. You don't have to have a lot of strength for this to be effective and it will give you a few moments leverage to get out of the car. And again, it is obviously much better to avoid violent situations in the first place which is why I try not to hitch alone these days if I can avoid it.

99% of the hitching I've done was with other people and I can honestly say that I never felt unsafe during any of it, with the possible exception of one ride out of hundreds. I can not say the same about hitching alone.

One more warning and then I will let up on being an overprotective gramma. This I almost don't want to mention due to some people's PC tendencies (I have my own so that's not a judgement): be careful of getting in the car with Latino guys if you aren't trying to have sex with anyone. I'm not trying to be racist but the reality is that here in the US we have very different cultural standards than in Latin America, where in many places there are not even rape laws. The way it is in Mexico is that if you're a girl and you're hitchhiking, you pretty much considered to be a prostitute. When I was there hitching with another girl we would have guys pull up to hotel rooms and all that. It was just an automatic assumption that we would be into that even though we made it clear that we weren't. I almost feel sorry for the two guys who left so that we could "take showers and get ready". They spoke fluent English too so it wasn't like they didn't understand. We were so out of there! In the US it really is not like this, at least not to the same extent. Guys might mention it but usually not in an aggressive way.

So yeah, that's my two cents. Be careful out there!

 

[venusinpisces]

That having been said, I do think that if you treat people with respect, while still being assertive of course, the overwhelming majority of rides will respond in kind. But there will always be the assholes that fuck things up for everyone so don't blamre yourself if you end up with one of them. :/

I used to have a habit of asking the driver if they were a serial killer when I first walked up to the car. Most people will either laugh or look disturbed, both of which are probably ok. If they don't seem to have much of an emotional response to the question, that's not a good sign at all.