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'Mark Snyder an his co-workers (1974) found that hitchhikers doubled the number of ride offers by looking drivers stright in the eye. A personal approach, as my panhandler knew, makes one feel less anonymous, more responsible.' (Source: Social Psychology, Myers. p.503 Social Relations)
== When in doubt, About the use of a sign ==A thumb or hand gesture will work fine for hitchhiking (depending on the region). But in some cases, but if the use of a sign displaying your destination or general direction will increase your odds. What are those cases? When you're hitchhiking on a road that goes to plenty of destinations: The driver will be more likely to stop if he knows that you're going the same way he does. When the traffic is not apparent or drivers too heavy: The driver will be turning in multiple directions up ahead less likely to say "Somebody else is going to stop" if he sees that you want to go exactly his way. On another hand, the use of a sign on a road where everyone goes the same way (for example: a highway service station) can decrease your odds, since someone that would be going halfway to announce where your destination is less likely to stop if he sees how far you're going. And halfway is still good on more than a 200 km trip. In the same spirit. If you're doing Barcelona - Amsterdam. Consider writting "Paris" on your sign, when you want start in Barcelona. Few people will be going to goAmsterdam directly. Use To make the sign, it's better to use cardboard or similar with a thick black marker. Write neatly in big, block lettersthe name of a city or the name of a road, or both. You're in charge.
== Say no, if you don't feel safe ==