Scaredy Cats
Does everyone live in fear all the time?
Reading the hitchhiker thread, the replies seemed to indicate most people live in deathly fear of hitchhikers as all virtual murderers. Why? Most are just poor basturds trying to get somewhere.
I don't see their fear as cowardice as it is possible the person you pick up does mean to do you wrong, just paranoria. The cowardice factor doesn't come into play unless when confronted with a situation, a person fails to act appropriately.
I'm not advocating petting rattlesnakes or befriending Democrats, but why the hell go through life in a constant dread of what might happen? I never turn my back on thugs at ATM's but look them directly in the eyes and continue to watch them, good manners be damned. If a person stays alert, and is prepared to act when trouble arises, walking through Crackville at night should present no problem. Maybe the guy just wants to bum a match for his pipe.[;)][8D]
Live life like you got a pair. We're all going to die sometime and life is too short to live it in fear.
Reading the hitchhiker thread, the replies seemed to indicate most people live in deathly fear of hitchhikers as all virtual murderers. Why? Most are just poor basturds trying to get somewhere.
I don't see their fear as cowardice as it is possible the person you pick up does mean to do you wrong, just paranoria. The cowardice factor doesn't come into play unless when confronted with a situation, a person fails to act appropriately.
I'm not advocating petting rattlesnakes or befriending Democrats, but why the hell go through life in a constant dread of what might happen? I never turn my back on thugs at ATM's but look them directly in the eyes and continue to watch them, good manners be damned. If a person stays alert, and is prepared to act when trouble arises, walking through Crackville at night should present no problem. Maybe the guy just wants to bum a match for his pipe.[;)][8D]
Live life like you got a pair. We're all going to die sometime and life is too short to live it in fear.
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quote:I'm not advocating petting rattlesnakes or befriending Democrats
Chicken, I have done both.0 -
That is exactly how I live my life.
Which is why I have no qualm about posting my address and phone number.
I may be inviting trouble, but if trouble accepts my invitation, it's liable to get some back.
"Nobody lives forever".
Doug0 -
quote:Originally posted by He Dog
quote:I'm not advocating petting rattlesnakes or befriending Democrats
Chicken, I have done both.
[:D][:D][:D]
Then change your name to He Man!
I might pet a rattlesnake [;)]0 -
I'm only skeered of magic and kryptonite.[;)] 0 -
I have been WAYYyy more scared of the dude that picked me up, than dude's been scared of me![}:)]
I jumped in a guy's car one night hitchin,, and i thought he was the devil, himself!!Scared the PP outta me .
Jeff0 -
quote:Originally posted by Doug Wilson
That is exactly how I live my life.
Which is why I have no qualm about posting my address and phone number.
I may be inviting trouble, but if trouble accepts my invitation, it's liable to get some back.
"Nobody lives forever".
Doug
+10 -
Im only scared of clowns. 0 -
I think some folks just don't have a clue when and of what to be afraid. Therefore, they are afraid of everything.
Maybe for some it's better to be overcautious. For me, I have heard some interesting dtories from the folks I gave a ride to. The only thing I've found offensive was they sometimes needed a bath.[;)]0 -
quote:Originally posted by Doug Wilson
That is exactly how I live my life.
Which is why I have no qualm about posting my address and phone number.
I may be inviting trouble, but if trouble accepts my invitation, it's liable to get some back.
"Nobody lives forever".
Doug
Yea but the smart ones live longer.... on average!!!0 -
I do not live my life in fear, but live my life alert...I enjoy life, catch raindrops on my tongue, play in the rain, jump at an overhead branch, cry if I catch a big fish (tears of joy).... 0 -
I have and still occasionally pick up a hitch hiker. I fore warn them that don't try anything. Maybe show them the empty holster. Just prepared. 0 -
I don't pick up hitch hikers, can't jump anymore, but I catch rain drops on my tongue and play with BB guns.. 0 -
I am only scared of pretty ladies[:o)] 0 -
quote:Originally posted by p3skyking
Does everyone live in fear all the time?
Reading the hitchhiker thread, the replies seemed to indicate most people live in deathly fear of hitchhikers as all virtual murderers. Why? Most are just poor basturds trying to get somewhere.
I don't see their fear as cowardice as it is possible the person you pick up does mean to do you wrong, just paranoria. The cowardice factor doesn't come into play unless when confronted with a situation, a person fails to act appropriately.
I'm not advocating petting rattlesnakes or befriending Democrats, but why the hell go through life in a constant dread of what might happen? I never turn my back on thugs at ATM's but look them directly in the eyes and continue to watch them, good manners be damned. If a person stays alert, and is prepared to act when trouble arises, walking through Crackville at night should present no problem. Maybe the guy just wants to bum a match for his pipe.[;)][8D]
Live life like you got a pair. We're all going to die sometime and life is too short to live it in fear.
The last time I picked up a hitchhiker was on Naval Amphibious Base, Little Creek, Norfolk, Virginia. I was on a PG and the hitchhiker said he was on one of the LST's. He didn't tell me which one. The PG's and LST's used the same parking lot, so he rode with me all the way home. What I didn't notice was sometime in the ride or when he was getting out of the truck, he unlatched the wing window. That night he came back and got my marine CB which cost me almost four hundred dollars. That would have been OK, but he destroyed my console getting it out. I guess I should have been happy he did it the way he did, didn't break a window, but I had a little trouble feeling happy about any of it.
In the case of a direct confrontation, I'm probably better armed and better able to defend myself than the average hitchhiker is able to attack, but as somebody said earlier, I don't need the hassle.
There may be the rare occasion when I'll pick up a hitchhiker, but it is a rare occasion.0 -
looks like some people like to piss testosterone....only real men need apply 0 -
quote:Originally posted by cartod
Im only scared of clowns.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA[:o)][:o)]
[img][/img]
[:o)][:o)]0 -
By the time I left Los Angeles County -- not the better parts of it, either -- I had learned not to acquaint myself with my neighbors, not to make eye contact with anyone, always to look over my shoulder, to assume that anyone speaking to me in a public place was a decoy for several others coming up behind me, not to loan money to anyone outside my family (and not even some of them), and to assume that I was held in contempt by the police and others in positions of authority, because of where I lived and what I looked like. Oh, and not to pick up hitchhikers. I left there seventeen years ago. I'm finally starting to loosen up. You can call it being afraid, if you like. I look back on it and prefer the word "cautious".
I'm better about people along the side of the road, now, but there aren't that many to be found any more. Right, wrong, or indifferent, call it afraid or whatever, people read too many news stories of hitchhikers -- or those who picked them up -- being found in ditches, minus vital parts of their bodies, and have learned and taught their children accordingly.
Yes, everyone has to die sometime, and everyone has the right to decide what chances they care to take that might have some bearing on their doing so NOW.0 -
quote:Originally posted by p3skyking
Does everyone live in fear all the time?
I don't see their fear as cowardice as it is possible the person you pick up does mean to do you wrong, just paranoria.
quote:Originally posted by mongrel1776
By the time I left Los Angeles County -- not the better parts of it, either -- I had learned not to acquaint myself with my neighbors, not to make eye contact with anyone, always to look over my shoulder, to assume that anyone speaking to me in a public place was a decoy for several others coming up behind me, not to loan money to anyone outside my family (and not even some of them), and to assume that I was held in contempt by the police and others in positions of authority, because of where I lived and what I looked like. Oh, and not to pick up hitchhikers. I left there seventeen years ago. I'm finally starting to loosen up. You can call it being afraid, if you like. I look back on it and prefer the word "cautious".
It's called Condition Yellow.
It's only for well-adjusted people who can differentiate between: "Oh jeez, those guys are probably going to attack me!"
From: "I'll keep an eye on those guys in case they decide to attack me."
Just having the self-confidence that you are able to deal with a potential attack, and looking like you're paying attention, will deter all but the most desperate or dedicated predators anywho. There's a reason folk like professional wrestlers or the late Col. Cooper don't get mugged.
Stay alert - stay alive.0 -
quote:Originally posted by MrOrange
quote:Originally posted by p3skyking
Does everyone live in fear all the time?
I don't see their fear as cowardice as it is possible the person you pick up does mean to do you wrong, just paranoria.
quote:Originally posted by mongrel1776
By the time I left Los Angeles County -- not the better parts of it, either -- I had learned not to acquaint myself with my neighbors, not to make eye contact with anyone, always to look over my shoulder, to assume that anyone speaking to me in a public place was a decoy for several others coming up behind me, not to loan money to anyone outside my family (and not even some of them), and to assume that I was held in contempt by the police and others in positions of authority, because of where I lived and what I looked like. Oh, and not to pick up hitchhikers. I left there seventeen years ago. I'm finally starting to loosen up. You can call it being afraid, if you like. I look back on it and prefer the word "cautious".
It's called Condition Yellow.
It's only for well-adjusted people who can differentiate between: "Oh jeez, those guys are probably going to attack me!"
From: "I'll keep an eye on those guys in case they decide to attack me."
Just having the self-confidence that you are able to deal with a potential attack, and looking like you're paying attention, will deter all but the most desperate or dedicated predators anywho. There's a reason folk like professional wrestlers or the late Col. Cooper don't get mugged.
Stay alert - stay alive.
I always joked that I projected an aura of having nothing worth taking, and being too much trouble to try taking it from. Must have worked. I'm still here. [;)]0 -
Let's see; ignore all warning signs and historical evidence and pick up a complete stranger with unknown motives; drive off keeping one hand on the wheel and one hand on my concealed weapon and keeping one eye on the road and one eye on the stranger! Nah, I think I'll leave picking up hitchhikers to you brave souls and I'll just enjoy my retirement without the stress. Sure do wish you good luck though! 0
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