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[[Image:Guaka my bithday2.jpg|thumb|400px|right|Sometimes you can use special signs]]
Hitchhikers often debate about whether to use a '''sign''' or not. If you decided decide to use one there are several important things:* Think well about what place or text to put on it: take use well known places, and sometimes also road names can be used or more humoristic humorous phrases (''"I don't stink"'').
* Use the same font as the route directions
* Use contrasting colors: black on brown cardboard is not very good readable for passing drivers, black on white is far more readable
''Tip#1'':
Make a sign of a large sheet of brightly colored paper glued to a sheet of cardboard. Cover this with self adhesive transparent book wrap. Now you made yourself a re-usable sign wich you can use with a whiteboard marker and clean again with a small towel.
==When not to use==
Some hitchhikers think it could be better not to use signs at big crowded gas stations where it's up to you to ask people, like in the [[United Kingdom]] and [[Germany]] on highway gas stations (and speaking fluent English/German). It's not very likely that holding a sign will actually be helping help if you can already clearly state where you want to go and that you are hitchhiking.
Others always have a sign. To show it to people while their still in the car and then ask them if they pass by to pay for their gas. If they don't understand what's written on it they also ask. And I already have it with me when getting out of a car, so people sometimes ask me right away if they can take me... So it's definitely good to have it. It doesn't have any negative effects so why not using use it?
In conflict with the guy above I have to say that , a sign only makes sense when you stand next to the road.At the Petrol petrol station you could better show the driver on a map where you want to go and so he can show you where he can take you. You even don’t need to speak his language for that.The big problem with signs is.The that the driver must read it, than then he must think about wonder if goes the same direction, than he wants to know if he likes your face and if he can stop somewhere...but than he realise realises that he passed you…he you, he is now 500m away from you ...so he will decide to drive on!So if If you just use your thump thumb the driver only has to decide if he likes you and if he can stop his car in this place. If he is on going the right way , you can find out when he stops.
Another bad idea is the use of shortcuts, because only locals know them (like HH for Hamburg).
Use what you find and what you can put in the next dustbin!
I only use sometimes funny signs or at some crossroads they could be helpful and of curse when I am not the only hitchhiker who is standing next to the motorway. …but its like religion…everybody religion, everybody has its own idea of it!
[[Category:General info]]