hitchhiker

Hitchhiking (also known as hitch-hiking, hitching, thumbing, and autostop) is a means of transportation that relies on soliciting rides from individuals, usually strangers. Recognized hand gestures, signage, and casual prearrangement, as in a solicitation at a rest stop, are used.
Most hitchhikes are free. Occasionally on a longer ride the driver may request their guest chip in towards gas, or coffee and such at a break; more often than asking they will volunteer to pay for such things themselves, recognizing that a person hitchhiking probably is low on funds, and willing to do a good turn. Casual contribution by the hitcher towards expenses does not a void a ride as a hitchhike, but arranging payment in advance, regardless of who is providing the transport, is fee-for-service, however informal.

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