Hitchhiking 2

In Great Birtain a much older signal is often used: the middle and forefinger pointed aside. If the hand is raised, the meaning of the sign is "peace on earth" or "victory". But if the hand is raised and turned towards the observer with its back side, it means, "go to hell!". One can send this message into the rearview miror simply by raising the hand.

    In Africa, in Greece and in some other places, the raised thumb means an obscene gesture, similar to a raised middle finger. Therefore, it's better to stop the car by waving one's hand towards the ground as if trying to make the driver slow down in these countries. This is done by the natives in all third world countries…

To be continued

Text & photo: Janin Klemenčič

From the chapter: Hitchhiking

There are two established methods in Europe - using a thumb and using a destination placard. The thumb stops everyone driving on the road in your direction. It is not a problem if one is using an interurban road. But it is better to use a sign with the direction of one's travel if one is standing on the drive to the motorway or by the bypass which leads to numerous different directions…

Thumb hitchhiking was established in the sixties. The first to use this sign were presumably the Romans: a thumb pointing downwards meant they wanted the gladiator to die, a thumb pointing upwards meant they wanted him to live. The meaning of the simbol later expanded: it means approval, best wishes or appeal to something positive, "do me a favour and give me a lift".

To be continued

Text & photo: Janin Klemenčič