Hitchhiking - Signaling Method

Signaling Method

The hitchhikers' methods of signaling to drivers differ around the world. Many hitchhikers use various hand signals. For examples, in the U.S. and UK, they point their thumb up, although in some areas of the United States, specifically in some inner cities, hitchhikers point down at the street in front of themselves. In some places in South America, they display to an oncoming car the back of their hand with the index finger pointing up. In India, the hand is waved with the palm facing downwards (or the U.S./UK way). In some African countries, the hand is held still with the palm facing upwards. In Israel, the hitchhiking signal is to hold the fist out with the index finger pointing towards the road. A hitchhiker may also hold a sign displaying their destination and/or the languages spoken.

To increase the success rate, hitchikers sometimes smile to show that they are friendly. Also, waving some money can be used when they are able to pay for the ride.

A more recent method of hitching a ride is to go to bulletin boards or websites and arrange lifts beforehand, without soliciting directly from the road. This method of transport is a modern way of ridesharing/carpooling.

Made popular by the 1934 film It Happened One Night, female hitchhikers have found success in signaling cars with the exposure of a leg, like Claudette Colbert had in the movie.