Hitch-hiking

[Amandistan]

Has anyone ever done this? Is it safe?

I am now in a position where i have to even if it is not safe. I must hitch-hike on Monday or be completely stranded.
I am doing volunteer work in Ireland and my host is not very nice at all. The buses are nit running because apparently ,it's a holiday. I must get to Waterford city to get a bus to the airport.  I will not get a lift from this person I have lived with for a month and he is laughing about it.   Basically I must hitchhike alone for the first time. I was told by a very wise,admirable, older person that "It's not safe for girls to hitchhike alone ...But they can do it with someone else!" 

If I am not posting again it's because I have been abducted and possibly sold.   
Does anyone know the chances of a single female with a backpack getting a ride in "Small coastal middle of nowhere town" (Dunmore East)? 

I am really anxious about this and about not getting a ride.   
I think it's really mean of this family for forcing me to hitch-hike when it's really not safe.

[Red]

Obviously there's always a risk in hitch hiking alone.

Even I'd be wary now, even though I used to do it in the 80's and 90's

Can you not leave on the Saturday or Sunday and get a bed and breakfast for a night or two so therefore negating the need to hitch on the holiday?

Hope you get something sorted x

[Rusco]

Now we're worried about this. You can't take a cabin or anything? 

[claireinblack]

It's not safe to hitch hike alone
I think the idea of leaving the day before is very sensible, even if you have to pay for b&b it's better than being attacked robbed and or raped
And yes it is mean of your hosts but that is life and unfortunately there are people who are kind and people who are not
Stay safe

[JohnnyM]

I'd be very wary about hitching on your own as woman - two options - go the day before & get a hostel (there's loads of them in ireland) - or check out the various liftshare websites - I'm sure there's one for Ireland

[wychbury]

It has been pointed out to Amanda that it is possible to get a taxi from Dunmore East to Waterford for 30 euros but that seems to be ignored...

[Amandistan]

30 euros just seems like a lot. I am trying to avoid paying that. I did hear it and not ignore the advice but am very stubborn when it comes to spending money.

I just wanted to get opinions about the safety of hitch-hiking.  It sounds like something adventurous to do in the future.  I am guessing this is probably the safest way to start.
It's just upsetting finding out that someone who you lived with for nearly a month doesn't care about you enough to give you a 20 minute ride. I am more or less just an unpaid worker.

I think it would be similar to  sleeping on a total stranger (that I just met from the internet's) couch. I did that in London and am still alive.  I also volunteered for someone new to hosting volunteers, no references or any thing. In a country where I had not yet been before.
You can meet some really interesting people if you don't believe that everyone is evil.
If you did not,  wouldn't solo travel then be very lonely? 

[claireinblack]

Personally I would not risk getting raped or murdered for the sake of 30 euros
Yes it's annoying to have to pay out but sometimes you just have to

[Heno]

€30 versus that risk? Please please please focus in on going by public transport. every country has a history of people going missing and many are never found and those that are tend to have suffered.

[Amandistan]

Despite all the warnings, I think I am trying to hitch a ride for the first time. It sounds romantic, cool and adventurous.  Like having the pleasure of living in the 1960's and being a hippy. If no one stops in 45 minutes, the person I am staying with. Will actually do it. He believes that it's very safe.   

The attitude towards it today is sort of like the NMA song Frightened. I just believe that most people want to help rather than harm.   

[Red]

Despite all the warnings, I think I am trying to hitch a ride for the first time. It sounds romantic, cool and adventurous.  Like having the pleasure of living in the 1960's and being a hippy. If no one stops in 45 minutes, the person I am staying with. Will actually do it. He believes that it's very safe.   

The attitude towards it today is sort of like the NMA song Frightened. I just believe that most people want to help rather than harm.

Why ask then ignore our advice?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What's your address and I'll bloody send the 30 Euros if you're going to be that stubborn!!!

[Amandistan]

It's not the money so much as wanting to prove to this guy that I am not a waste of life and can do something right.
He has just been really mean this whole time. He is laughing at the fact that the bus is not running and I have to hitch a ride.  How can he expect someone to perfect a new skill the first time and if not scream at them and call them an idiot?       My phone does not work here as there is no signal. I would have to ask him to call.

[lotus]

It`s not worth that risk to prove something to this guy!
If shit wil happen, it will happen to you, not to him
Hitch-hiking alone a a girl was not a real problem 40 years ago - I wouldn`t do that today if I have enough money for a taxi or the bus
Take care of you

[Amandistan]

Does anyone know why it was okay 30 or 40 years ago but not now?

[Shush]

What's your address and I'll bloody send the 30 Euros if you're going to be that stubborn!!!

Red, I'll p/m you the address to send the money to