Half a croissant, on a plate, with a sign in front of it saying '50c'
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Hitch-hiker-helper

thumb where over the rainbow
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Like it or not people hitch-hike and generally a satchel of some sort is essential to the trek but more often than not a back-pack is worn.
If you've done much hitch-hiking you probably clued in to the fact that people are more inclined to pick you up if;
A) You have a sign indicating longer destinations and,
B) You are walking backwards with your thumb out as the car approaches you.

The Hitch-hiker-helper is a pull cord released inflatable head and extended arm with raised thumb add-on designed to attach to any standard back-pack which allows a hitch-hiker to continue walking forward without offending reluctant potential ride offering motorists by not turning around.
The potential ride offerer, seeing an inflatable hitch-hiker as they draw near, is likely to be amused by this and therefore more likely to pull over for a hiker that they know at least has a sense of humor.


+ very good- here's a similar idea Hitch_20Hiker_27s_20Giant_20Foam_20Thumb
[xandram, Feb 06 2012]

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       I pick up hitchers all the time, and I can honestly say that making me laugh is a sure way to get me to stop, although I can't remember the last time I saw a hitcher who didn't bother to turn around. Then again, I live in a place where it's still relatively safe to hitch-hike, and thus fairly common. There's a sort of etiquette to it here that I fear may be lost in other parts of the world.
Alterother, Feb 06 2012
  

       Brilliant, [2 fries]!! I imagine this would be useful for hailing taxicabs as well. [+]   

       BTW, your summary cracked me up...
Grogster, Feb 06 2012
  

       I love it. I got a lot of rides in the seventies, and I pay them back whenever I get the chance. This would work well.
normzone, Feb 06 2012
  

       In some Russian cities, it's local custom for car owners to pick up strangers and pay them a few bucks, like impromptu taxis.
RayfordSteele, Feb 06 2012
  

       Sourdough bun.   

       Now how do you do the same thing for couch surfers?
Psalm_97, Feb 06 2012
  

       I thumbed it! [+]
xandram, Feb 06 2012
  

       //it's local custom for car owners to pick up strangers and pay them a few bucks// Wow - I hadn't realized Russian motorists were so generous!
MaxwellBuchanan, Feb 06 2012
  

       Tis brilliant. And this comes from someone who hitchhiked from Illinois to the south western beaches of Mexico. I'd give you more than one bun if I could. (God those crazy old days of yore.)
blissmiss, Feb 06 2012
  

       Yeah, I'm always amused by the "it's so much more dangerous now" talk. I think it's always been the same, but there's more media now.   

       People are people. Cars are smaller, that does make it harder to pick up people and packs.
normzone, Feb 07 2012
  

       Last time I picked up a hitcher, she'd been riding in silence for ten minutes before I realized that my (sheathed) Ka- Bar was sitting on the dashboard in front of her. We had a good laugh about it after I carefully asked her to put it in the back seat next to the hatchet and the chainsaw.   

       Anyone who gets into my truck is guaranteed an interesting ride, but I try to avoid actually terrorizing them.
Alterother, Feb 07 2012
  

       That's funny, [Alterother]. I can picture her trying to decide how to respond to that.   

       I got a cross-town ride once from a guy with a sawed-off shotgun in the front seat. I was not silent, but probably should have been since I was 17 and tactless.
normzone, Feb 07 2012
  
      
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