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For example, the The ''Shell Euroatlas'' is good for [[Europe]], however, it's not so difficult to find. The ''Falk Länderkarte'' series (in German, but can be understood by everyone) is brilliant for individual European countries, with a useful, clever and compact fold-out page system. It is easy to findbut only inside of [[Germany]] and neighbouring countries. The maps by ''Marco Polo'' are excellent for Europe. The 1:800,000 ratio version is the best (the name of this map changes in different countries). It is printed in Germany but is available across the continent.
If you can, don’t wear your old clothes or clothes that might frighten a driver (such as a T-shirt with a skull). Conservative people just take well shaved guys with proper cloth . Open-minded people always take you, but even conservative (or old) people can be very helpful on your trip.
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 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.The driver also has to read it, than he must think about if goes the same direction and than he wants to know if he likes your face...but than he notice that he passed …he is now 500m away from you ...so he will decide to drive on!So if you just use your thump the driver only has to decide if he likes you and if he can stop his car in this place. If he is on the right way you can find out when he stops.Another bad idea is the use shortcuts, because only locals know them (like HH for Hamburg).On the other hand you need a really big sign if you want you aimed city be seen on your sign. In the same spirit. If you're going from [[Barcelona]] to [[Amsterdam]], consider writing "[[Paris]]", or just [[Perpignan]], on your sign, when you start in Barcelona. Few people will be going to Amsterdam or even Paris, directly. There's a dilemma, though, because if the destination you write is too close, you won't make good time, and if it's too far, nobody will be heading all the way there and so won't feel confident in stopping for you. A good solution to this is to simply use your direction of travel, i.e. "East."
Always, always if If you have the chance, add adding "Please" onto your signscould be a great idea. As well as being polite, writing "Please" in a certain language can indicate that you are a good speaker of that language, and this can be used to attract certain groups of driver who were ignoring you before. However, your main message is the destination/road number/compass direction. "Please" is an extra word for the driver to read, and trying to read that word can become a big distraction from the main message. Also, as you're clearly in a desperate position it's already accepted that you are being grateful for any assistance; once a driver stops, you can say "Please" as much as you like. Experiment with "Please" for yourself, and see what happens.
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There are some essential things you should remember whenever when you are going hitchhiking. The [[Hitchhikers' Guide to HitchhikingHitchwiki]] suggests you keep these in mind when starting your career as an enthusiastic thumber:
== Take the most used route ==
== Carry a good map ==
You want to know were you are going. It also helps if gas stations are marked, and you don't need city maps. Try and find a map that you don't have to open out to one large sheet of paper every time you want to use it; you will be using it often.
In Scandinavia (especially Finland) - the ''Esso'' country maps are great, and free from any Esso petrol station in Finland.
For the United Kingdom, AA maps are good but can get a bit large. It's recommended you have a map thats that is at least to 1 to :1,000,000 ratio, however, 1 to :750,000 is perfectfine. Remember that petrol stations often have maps for sale, including very local ones. If you need to find out the geography of the local area, simply walk into the shop, pick up a local map, study it, get the information you need, then put it back and walk out. Many service stations also have large maps on walls or notice boards.
== [[Where to hitchhike|Be in a good, safe spot]] ==
Be in a place where the cars can see you from a distance and stop safely. You don't want to be driven over. This is actually maybe the biggest [[Hitchhiker's safety | danger]] in hitchhiking.
This is the case that the drivers consider as well. Few drivers stop unless it is safe for them. Some do, but you shouldn't count on them, as they are the minority.
== Stay positive, smile and laugh ==
It is easy to become bored or frustrated when waiting for a ride, but remember that a good attitude will help you get rides. Keep your spirits up by singing, laughing and simply smiling. A grumpy hitchhiker may get rides out of sympathy, but a happy hitchhiker will get better rides and go further distances in less time.If you're in a group, try dancing or clapping your hands at the same time, it makes the drivers smile and lifts come much more often!
== [[How to face traffic|Make eye contact with drivers]] ==
== [[Appearance|Types of clothing]] ==
Although this may seem to be a small matter, types and colour of clothing are very important. Try to wear light, even bright and colorful clothes, and have your non-thumbing hand visible since light coloured clothes inspire more trust than darker clothes. Also, if the weather permits it, try to keep your forearms visible. If people can see your hands and arms, they'll be less likely to see you as a threat, or as someone trying to conceal something. A fun and colorful clothes/hat is a great way to inspire people to pick you up!
If you can, don’t wear your old clothes or clothes that might frighten a driver (such as a T-shirt with a skull). Conservative people only take well shaved guys with proper clothes. Open-minded people always take you, but even conservative (or old) people can be very helpful on your trip. Never wear black. Even having a smart black shirt could keep you stuck in one place for a long time. I have also found that caps and black or blue wolly hats are awfull too. If the weather permits, wear light couloured coloured shorts and a bright colourful tshirt t-shirt or a smart short sleeved shirt. Although you may have no choice on whether or not you have luggage, I have found that hitching without luggage is quicker as the driver knows your you're not conceling concealing anything.
== About the use of [[signs|a sign]] ==
When the traffic is too heavy: The driver will be less likely to say "Somebody else is going to stop" if he sees that you want to go exactly his way.
To make the sign, it's better to use cardboard or similar with a thick black marker. Write neatly in big, block letters the name of a city or the name of a road, or both. You're in charge.
While living in a small village near a larger town my housemates and I found that using a sign decreased waiting times from 20-40 minutes average to about 10-20 minutes even though there were no other villages on the way. When I put this to my drivers some of them said that the sign made me look like a proper hitch-hiker.
== Safe hitchhiking ==
Wear bright colored clothes or a reflective warning vest while walking along the road.
Say no, if you don't feel safe!Trust your instinct, when it says no. This doesn't happen often, though. Minimizing risk is not being a coward, it's being smart. If you don't feel comfortable with someone, just don't ask him/her, there will be enough other cars. Most people who pick up hitchhikers are friendly and don't mind a no.
Tip:
If you want more security, send an SMS of the number plate of the car to a friend.
