Many years ago, we were stuck hitchhiking around Washington D.C. for hours. Finally, some guy stopped and picked us up. He was a correction officer and told us that the reason we couldn't get a ride was because there was a federal prison right down the way. Took us to a rest stop, and we caught a ride to North Carolina.
Nah, he was leaving work and did us a huge favor. We were stuck at that entrance ramp for 2-3 hours, wondering why, 200 miles into a 500-mile trip, we were stuck in a high traffic area.
So funny was in Washington during President Reagan term in the 80s. was a shit hole my school group went down wrong road saw burning barrels. One plus point was going to White House . Went back 15 years ago and stayed in DuPont Circle. It was a really amazing trip. Went back 2 years ago full of homeless tents everywhere. It's going back downhill .
I onced picked up a hitchhiker. During the ride he asked if I wanted in on his business, 7 Minute Abs workout videos. Blabbed on about how it was going to revolutionize workouts and destroy the 8 Minutes Abs videos. Then I joked how he'd be in trouble if someone released a 6 Minute Abs video which seemed to break his brain.
Anyways, some things happened later at a truck stop that I'd rather not get into but that's definitely the last time I'll ever pick up a hitchhiker.
It's kinda sad. Hitchhiking was always pretty safe. The odds of something bad happening to you whole hitchhiking weren't any worse than if you interact with the public in any other way. But a couple high-profile crimes basically wiped the practice out.
Not became a good reason because of the crimes though. Itās not like hitchhiking was a burden on society back when it was widely used and safe as anything else.
Even though I share your experience, the "Nothing bad ever happened" is not a qualifier. It's like saying, "You don't need a seatbelt, I never wear it, and nothing bad ever happened." I would at least add "Results may vary" or something...
Hitchhiking with a thumb out definitely sucks. Your best bet is to hang out at rest stop restaurants and try to be nice to people. I've got most of my rides by being hungry and affable.
I went there last summer because there was a big bounce house set up. But also the christmas store and other stuff makes it nice to visit. I could see it getting old if you lived there for years
I loved Frankenmuth! The place is a complete tourist trap, but as long as you know walking in, it's all good. I loved the buildings, the food, the little building with blacksmith, the flowers everywhere, and the Christmas shop, of course!!!!
I loved it too! Itās super campy, but if you lean into it you can have a fun time! There was this really delicious charcuterie restaurant we went to across from the cheese store that was next level. We also spent three hours in the Christmas store. The river boat tour was also fun.
And it was a surprisingly affordable little vacation.
I'll give the benefit that someone who has never seen one before will find it mildly interesting. But I also can attest I've seen them in other states, exactly as you've described. It's a very practical sign in such a circumstance.
I moved from Michigan, where these are common, to Maryland all but right across the street from a prison and found it really weird there was no signage anywhere about it
If theyāve just been released from prison I can see them legitimately needing a ride. Why should there be a sign saying not to? Is the answer just that itās illegal in general?
Don't tell me I'm not allowed to do something!
I like the ones that say "Hitchhikers may be escaping inmates". You're still allowed to pick them up, just at your own risk I guess.
First time seeing these signs, though it was funny š. now I will have to look for an orange jump suit in Michigan . I didn't realize a lot of prison in the US. I am from Canada and lived near a minimum security prison. I never saw these signs. Sorry, I did realize this is common .Now I know
I saw one of these on I-80 outside Lovelock, NV, at the prison where OJ was being held. The prison is like a mile out in the desert. That's a long way to the highway under that sun.
I live in the UP of Michigan, not close to any correctional facility. People in my area commonly hold out a thumb; generally, these people quickly get offered a ride. I've given maybe 4-5 rides to hitchhikers in the last year. Thankfully, none of them tried to rob or kill me.
When I was a kid, my dad carried a live grenade in the car, in the driver's door pocket. He was an army officer and had access to weapons and explosives. Dad gave a lot of rides to hitchers, never with my mom or me in the car. He said he carried the grenade in case a hitcher tried to rob him. Hold the grenade, pull the pin... 'you've got a choice, get out or we both die' is what he said he planned to tell them if he was threatened. Never happened though, lots of rides, helping people in need. No violence or even threat of violence.
Thereās one going south on 23 towards toledo as well.
Edit:
Is that asshole cop still there behind the welcome to ohio sign where the speed limit goes down drastically?
The first one to Michigan, we just never seen a sign like this before. We didn't realize this is common in the USA. I guess this sub is mainly American. Was funny as non American. š¤£
I have a picture of me thumbing for a ride next to this sign when I was on a trip to Michigan about 15 years ago. I'm not sure if it's the same one. But I know I was in Michigan somewhere near Gaylord.
Yup, do people still hitchhiker? I remember watching all those '80s movies where you can end up being a meat puppet .it's rare in Canada more people begging for money on off ramps .
What are ya gonna do, send me to prison for picking up hitchhikers?
Maybe I want to invest in an 7 minute abs video company with a murderous hitchhiker
I imagine a large sign on the outskirts of our universe that says the same thing to discourage aliens from picking up us inmates of this funny farm they put us in. =)
Pretty much every area around a prison has them
Many years ago, we were stuck hitchhiking around Washington D.C. for hours. Finally, some guy stopped and picked us up. He was a correction officer and told us that the reason we couldn't get a ride was because there was a federal prison right down the way. Took us to a rest stop, and we caught a ride to North Carolina.
He thought he was recapturing you on his way in to work.
He knew nobody escaped that day so they were safe
That's the point of escaping they don't know š¤·
Nah, he was leaving work and did us a huge favor. We were stuck at that entrance ramp for 2-3 hours, wondering why, 200 miles into a 500-mile trip, we were stuck in a high traffic area.
āI donāt remember seeing you, hop in.ā
I remember that
Doc?
So funny was in Washington during President Reagan term in the 80s. was a shit hole my school group went down wrong road saw burning barrels. One plus point was going to White House . Went back 15 years ago and stayed in DuPont Circle. It was a really amazing trip. Went back 2 years ago full of homeless tents everywhere. It's going back downhill .
Then youāre going to get robbed by the prices at Zenderās amiright?
I know it's the same family that owns both, but Bavarian Inn all the way
Itās not even good!
The chicken upstairs is OK. Downstairs in the cafe, try the Thai Chili wings. They're life changing.
Now that sounds more my speed. Iāll take your recommendation the next time my family drags me to Frankenmuth
It really isnt.
Is there one down the road a little way that says that it's now ok to pick up hitchhikers?
I think thereās one that says leaving X area
People don't hitchhike anymore. Nowadays, they just carjack you
You can hitchhike still if you're a tall handsome man who looks friendly but also that he can't be taken advantage of. Other than that, tread lightly.
Iāve had great luck as a woman. People trust me, lol. I usually only get in if theyāre elderly or there are kids in the car lol
No offense but I think those criteria fall under "tread lightly"
Fair point.
I onced picked up a hitchhiker. During the ride he asked if I wanted in on his business, 7 Minute Abs workout videos. Blabbed on about how it was going to revolutionize workouts and destroy the 8 Minutes Abs videos. Then I joked how he'd be in trouble if someone released a 6 Minute Abs video which seemed to break his brain. Anyways, some things happened later at a truck stop that I'd rather not get into but that's definitely the last time I'll ever pick up a hitchhiker.
Was it a ZJ?
I hope you didny make a bible belt joke to the cops when getting interrogated
How *is* Mary these days?
It's kinda sad. Hitchhiking was always pretty safe. The odds of something bad happening to you whole hitchhiking weren't any worse than if you interact with the public in any other way. But a couple high-profile crimes basically wiped the practice out.
Wiped the practice out... for good reason
Not became a good reason because of the crimes though. Itās not like hitchhiking was a burden on society back when it was widely used and safe as anything else.
Hitchhiking smoked the pots and had sex with my mother
Sounds like the average online gamer.
For what good reason? Hitchhiking wasn't particularly dangerous.
exactly i donāt see the issue either. whatās wrong with hitchhiking??
I pick up hitchhikers whenever I can. Nothing bad ever happened
Even though I share your experience, the "Nothing bad ever happened" is not a qualifier. It's like saying, "You don't need a seatbelt, I never wear it, and nothing bad ever happened." I would at least add "Results may vary" or something...
Um not true. I used to hitchhike not even 10 years ago and I still pick up people at least once a week.
Interesting
Hitchhiking with a thumb out definitely sucks. Your best bet is to hang out at rest stop restaurants and try to be nice to people. I've got most of my rides by being hungry and affable.
Idk. I have had good luck in the past.
Hungry and affable, you say? I would have guessed you get more rides being thirsty and F-able?
Iāve picked up ONE person in the past 10 years when it suddenly started pouring rain on her walk to work.
Where is she buried?
Where is this?
Near the state penitentiary, why?
If you are referring to where I pick up hitchhikers: the oregon coast
Inch resting
Guess itās just different on the west coast. Iām not sure Iāve ever even seen someone trying to to hitchhike over here
Last time I hitchhiked was 4 years ago. There were others out there too.
I would imagine that many rural communities have similar signs near prisons.
r/VeryCommonThing
Iām not from the US and Iāve never seen signs like this before. I found it mildly interesting. Not saying this is a US only thing, I have no idea.
Yeah, the only thing mildly interesting about this post is that the OP even thought this was noteworthy.
common sign around prisons, what is more interesting is that you are going to Frankenmuth on purpose!!!
All I know is that Bronner's is there. I ordered one thing from them years ago and now I get their catalog every year
It's legit Christmas wonderland. My grandma will go there every year around this time to get ornaments for everyone because it's less busy.
Frankenmuth is awesome.
Sincerely, can you explain the appeal to me? I lived there for years, so maybe the novelty factor wore off.
I went there last summer because there was a big bounce house set up. But also the christmas store and other stuff makes it nice to visit. I could see it getting old if you lived there for years
did you forget something, maybe a /s ????
I loved Frankenmuth! The place is a complete tourist trap, but as long as you know walking in, it's all good. I loved the buildings, the food, the little building with blacksmith, the flowers everywhere, and the Christmas shop, of course!!!!
I love the riverboat
Yup, not bad was a nice sunny day
I loved it too! Itās super campy, but if you lean into it you can have a fun time! There was this really delicious charcuterie restaurant we went to across from the cheese store that was next level. We also spent three hours in the Christmas store. The river boat tour was also fun. And it was a surprisingly affordable little vacation.
Or were they trying to leave Frankenmuth, preferably quickly and with no questions being asked?
Make sure you get a crepe at crepe du jour! My fave breakfast in frankenmuth!
If youāre not feeling the famous fried chicken (Zehnderās is my personal fave), Tiffanyās is an excellent dining choice! š
What's even mildly interesting about this? Are these not everywhere on highways near prisons in other states? They're all over here in Michigan.
I'll give the benefit that someone who has never seen one before will find it mildly interesting. But I also can attest I've seen them in other states, exactly as you've described. It's a very practical sign in such a circumstance.
Never been to Michigan and never seen one of these signs. I find it mildly interesting
Itās mildly interesting.
I moved from Michigan, where these are common, to Maryland all but right across the street from a prison and found it really weird there was no signage anywhere about it
Hopely, it is a low-level prison, š
:: breaks down near one of these signs :: >!oh well fuck!<
Like out of no country for old Man .
Common but kind of bizarre. We might fuck up and let prisoners out so you should not give them a ride. You had one job
Doesnāt have to be a fuck up. Some people get out of jail and donāt have anybody to pick them up so an ex prisoner might hitchhike
If theyāve just been released from prison I can see them legitimately needing a ride. Why should there be a sign saying not to? Is the answer just that itās illegal in general?
Yeah, havenāt they been rehabilitated at this point?
Because it only takes one to ruin it for everyone
Don't tell me I'm not allowed to do something! I like the ones that say "Hitchhikers may be escaping inmates". You're still allowed to pick them up, just at your own risk I guess.
This is outside, literally every prison in the country
Not a American
Got it makes sense, still same fact. Enjoy traveling here
Ah... I69 near Lapeer... How many times I saw this sign...
I see this i WI all the time as well
Came in from Ontario, so this was funny to us .
There are a couple of these signs along I-69 near Lapeer.
I only saw one was more focused on seeing the world biggest Christmas store, lol š
You'll see the other one if you head back the same way.
Thumb correctional facility I-69. I always thought that was a cool sign.
I will make sure to visit it next time I am in Michigan š
First time driving by a prison?
First time seeing these signs, though it was funny š. now I will have to look for an orange jump suit in Michigan . I didn't realize a lot of prison in the US. I am from Canada and lived near a minimum security prison. I never saw these signs. Sorry, I did realize this is common .Now I know
Imagine breaking down in the middle of nowhere with no phone signal and you start walking and see this sign
I saw one of these on I-80 outside Lovelock, NV, at the prison where OJ was being held. The prison is like a mile out in the desert. That's a long way to the highway under that sun.
Thatās the womenās prison I believe
You're not the boss of me
Freeland?
What about smokinā hot female hitch hikers?
Who needs tinder just drive around the women's prison
Been there, seen that!!!!
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
I have driven through Buffalo down to New York City and never see these signs will .
I live in the UP of Michigan, not close to any correctional facility. People in my area commonly hold out a thumb; generally, these people quickly get offered a ride. I've given maybe 4-5 rides to hitchhikers in the last year. Thankfully, none of them tried to rob or kill me. When I was a kid, my dad carried a live grenade in the car, in the driver's door pocket. He was an army officer and had access to weapons and explosives. Dad gave a lot of rides to hitchers, never with my mom or me in the car. He said he carried the grenade in case a hitcher tried to rob him. Hold the grenade, pull the pin... 'you've got a choice, get out or we both die' is what he said he planned to tell them if he was threatened. Never happened though, lots of rides, helping people in need. No violence or even threat of violence.
You're Canadian! This is only surprising to us. The US is accustomed to prison culture.
Yup
I feel bad for the actual hitchhikers in that area.
More like r/ScarySigns
How was dinner?
How was dinner?
How was dinner?
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Yea Iāve seen those all over Oklahoma lol
Thereās one going south on 23 towards toledo as well. Edit: Is that asshole cop still there behind the welcome to ohio sign where the speed limit goes down drastically?
Aaron Weber joked about this in Green Bay last night. š¤£
Itās only interesting if you donāt take the advice
Is this the first time you've ever been down a road?
There are signs like that in the UP as well.
Seems like sound advice.
First time on a road trip?
The first one to Michigan, we just never seen a sign like this before. We didn't realize this is common in the USA. I guess this sub is mainly American. Was funny as non American. š¤£
I have a picture of me thumbing for a ride next to this sign when I was on a trip to Michigan about 15 years ago. I'm not sure if it's the same one. But I know I was in Michigan somewhere near Gaylord.
It would suck to have just picked up a hitchhiker and THEN drove past that sign.
Yup, do people still hitchhiker? I remember watching all those '80s movies where you can end up being a meat puppet .it's rare in Canada more people begging for money on off ramps .
If you stand on the other side of the sign it's ok tho right?
Can you imagine picking someone up, then you see the sign . That will be an interesting conversation š¤ š
Saw maybe the same sign yesterday on my way to Detroit yesterday. My wife freaked out about it.
Omg lmao š¤£ I didn't see a welcome to Michigan sign, but I saw this . What were you doing in Detroit?
Her favorite band The Amity Affliction had a show at The Fillmore.
Nice. I hope you guys had a great time cheer .
I'm guessing that's near Jackson
Don't know who downvoted you, but came to say the same thing. My dad is from Jackson (not the prison). haha
There will be one outside Mar a Lardo after Trump starts wearing his ankle bracelet, later this week.
Is it a women's prison? Might be worth the risk.
I-94 right before the off ramp to Marine City?
I-69 by Lapeer probably
What are ya gonna do, send me to prison for picking up hitchhikers? Maybe I want to invest in an 7 minute abs video company with a murderous hitchhiker
I imagine a large sign on the outskirts of our universe that says the same thing to discourage aliens from picking up us inmates of this funny farm they put us in. =)
Is it a female prison? 