The other week I hitch hiked to Budapest
for charity and all that. After a week of being turned down by grumpy looking people all over Europe, I resolved to do my bit and pick up any hitchers I saw.

Driving up the M1 this morning, I saw two of them as I was pulling out of Watford Gap services, and in the second or two I had to look them over, decided that I didn't want them in my car.

The only reason I can think I did this is because the guy holding the sign had a faceful of metal piercings.

I'm sure they were lovely people, and I felt a bit guilty all the way back up to Sheffield :( I guess I'm just a bad person.
( The Coast Of Yemen, Wed 7 Apr 2010, 17:14, 11 replies)

This is the perfect example of prejudice.
Judging entirely on their appearance. I imagine your (conscious or subconcious) thought process was along the lines of if they're willing to break societal norms of perceivedly acceptable dress codes then it puts into question their consideration for all other societal codes, such as those that protect you.

It's entirely understandable and exactly the reason why one should go to a job interview dressed well and present yourself in the best light.
( Je suis un vagabond is an unfunny, up your own arse middle class knob, Wed 7 Apr 2010, 17:21, closed)

What if you are applying for a job in a tattoo and piercings parlour?

( theoriginalsteve <this space intentionally left blank>, Wed 7 Apr 2010, 17:23, closed)

Interesting you raise that
My mate and I got a tat that Mrs Vagabond designed done, to commemorate his emigration to Oz. He was jealous of me because the lad that did me was tattoo'd up to and beyond his neck, including a significant part of his face, but the guy that did him only had his arms done, stopping at the wrists.

He reasoned - just as one doesn't trust a skinny chef - that one doesn't really trust a tattooist who isn't absolutely covered in tatttoos.
( Je suis un vagabond is an unfunny, up your own arse middle class knob, Wed 7 Apr 2010, 17:34, closed)

It's like hairdressers.
You should go to the one with the shittiest haircut (well, tattoos, in this case) because it's likely the other guy's work.

That said, tattooists can obviously tattoo parts of themselves, but I'm not sure you'd find many who'd tattoo their own face.
( gone, Wed 7 Apr 2010, 17:45, closed)

In my defence,
I really did feel quite bad about it.
( The Coast Of Yemen, Wed 7 Apr 2010, 17:41, closed)

I can be the oposite.
I tend to be more likely to talk to or trust those wearing piercings or dressed in a non-conformist manner. I always expect "smartly dressed" people to be twats too.

(I have no piercings or tattoos and I wear a shirt and tie to work and cheap clothes outside if anyone cares)
(Me, I'm not... in any way intoxicated, Wed 7 Apr 2010, 17:35, closed)

Heh, I just imagined two stockbrokers at the side of the road
and I think I'd be even less inclined to pick them up.

That said, the majority of people who gave me lifts last week were smartly dressed young professional Germans with BMWs and the like.
( The Coast Of Yemen, Wed 7 Apr 2010, 17:39, closed)

I picked up a hitch-hiker on the way to Birmingham once
He said: "You're lucky you picked me up, the other guy waiting was a right fucking nutter. I had to get him to wait down the road because no-one would give me a lift if they thought we were together."
( emvee cruor deo cruoris, Wed 7 Apr 2010, 17:43, closed)

Know what you mean.
However, although he is a cockwallet of the highest order, Michael Moore makes a good point - the people who screw you the most in life tend to be white, middle class men who wear nice suits and are very polite to you and have the utmost respect for you.

Yep, there are tossers with large numbers of facial piercings...but probably no higher a proportion than `respectable' types.
(Audax Victor, Wed 7 Apr 2010, 18:31, closed)

I wouldn't ever pick a hitchhicker up if I were alone
but then again, I am 22 and female. Still says sad things about our society, doesn't it?
(Petite chien is going to do science to it, Wed 7 Apr 2010, 18:38, closed)

Used to drop my daughter off at her Saturday job in the next town
and always picked up the same hitcher on the way back. He had the face-furniture, Mohican, leather jacket, boots, a charming sight. I knew he'd be OK because he'd stand out a mile in a police line-up!
(Juan Quar is clinging to her front teeth on, Wed 7 Apr 2010, 20:05, closed)