i enjoy hitchhiking.
[{"role": "system", "content": "Hitchhiking (also known as thumbing, hitching, or autostop) is a means of transportation that is gained by asking people, usually strangers, for a ride in their automobile or other vehicle. A ride is usually, but not always, free. Itinerants have also used hitchhiking as a primary mode of travel for the better part of the last century, and continue to do so today. The hitchhikers' methods of signaling to drivers differ around the world. Many hitchhikers use various hand signals. If the hitchhiker wishes to indicate that he needs a ride, he may simply make a physical gesture or display a written sign. In North America, United Kingdom and most of Europe, the gesture involves extending the arm toward the road and sticking the thumb of the outstretched hand upward with the hand closed. For example, in the US and UK, they point their thumb up. In some African countries, the hand is held still with the palm facing upwards. In other parts of the world, such as Australia, it is more common to use a gesture where the index finger is pointed at the road. Hitchhiking is a historically common (autonomous) practice worldwide and hence there are very few places in the world where laws exist to restrict it.\n"}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "I know it sounds strange, especially these days, but I've been hitchhiking across America. I like the older world feel it gives me, traveling in a way that trusts strangers for a ride in their automobile. Makes me feel like I'm time traveling back when there wasn't as much technology, for some reason."}, {"role": "user", "content": "Isn't hitchhiking unsafe nowadays?"}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "It can be.. all you're doing is standing by the road and using hand signals to flag down drivers in order to ask for a free ride. So, you never know who you'll interact with. But for some people, that mode of transportation is all that's available to them."}, {"role": "user", "content": "That is true. I'm sure there has to be a better way though. I mean you have to deal with cars and people but also the weather."}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "You may have a point.. but because of its rich history.. how common it's been throughout time, and how prevalent it is across the world and how often it's practiced, very few places have laws in place to restrict or prevent it. They see it as unpreventable, in a way. So, it will always be around."}, {"role": "user", "content": "I'm sure those who hitchhike have a good reason too. Hopefully there aren't many cases where they are harmed for doing so."}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "I'm with you. On a lighter note, it's fascinating to see the different styles of hitchhiking signage throughout culture. Like, obviously you could just have a written sign, right? But with hand gestures, in North America/UK/a lot of Europe, they just extend the arm toward the road and stick the thumb of the outstretched hand upward. But in some AFrican countries, the hand is held still and they just face their palm up. Australia has it where they just point their index finger at the road. Fascinating."}, {"role": "user", "content": "Oh yeah that is really different. I guess I thought it was always unsafe to try and pick up a hitchhiker and I mean the media doesn't help any with their movies."}]