What do you think about hitchhikers in Poland?

Hi !

Some weeks ago I was driving to Germany from Poland together with a friend. We saw some people hitchhiking on the way. I had never ever taken someone before, however because of my friend was insisting, I stoped the car and took the hitchhiker.

On the way, we were talking about experiences in general. The hitchhiker mentions that he likes to travel a lot but he has neither money nor job, so he travels only by hitchhiking and stays at other people's house whom he contacts through the internet and offer him accommodation. I asked him why he doesn't work and he replied me '' working is for suckers''. So it is not a situation that he couldn't get a job, but that he DOES NOT want to work.

In a couple of times, he was quite annoying insiting me in driving like a maniac (as an average polish driver), he wanted me to continously be overtaking and so on. I got tired of him and decided to drop him at the next station. He got pissed off about that and we argued but I finally got him out of my car. I will never ever take a hitchhiker again.

What I dislike about people like him, is not that he doesn't have money, but that he does not want to earn it by working. He complains about having no money, but yet he spends his time traveling instead of working. He travels as a parasite, living from other's people ''charity'' and expecting other people's to help him and with an attitute of '' it is their responsibility to help me''. He expects also to be ''feeded'' since he almost doesn't bring food with him and if he does it is a very limited amount. He didn't even have money for buying himself a f***king coffee.

What is your opinion about beggers like him?

I have seen in some previous threads that people claim that '' poles travel a lot'' , is this what they mean by traveling, ''hitchhiking''?

If they cannot afford traveling, they should stay home.

Bin!

Part of me is envious of his chutzpah. He obviously doesn't care if he is liked or not. As long as he gets to where he is going he is happy. I, myself, am too bogged down in protocol to get what I really want out of life. So, I like him to a point........His not having any money would bother me a lot. I absolutely don't like to sponge off of others. So that part is unlikeable. It's a toss-up.

So you think it's only Poles and Polish hitch hikers with this kind of attitude? A very narrow minded attitude you have.

The only hitchhiker I had noticed in Poland resembled a prostitute. I was surprised to see her hitchhiking along the countryside, while I was on route from Warsaw to Treblinka.

No, surely not only Poles, but they are overwhelmingly highly represented as a nation of beggers.

Ive picked up numerous hitchhikers and most were very polite and I remember a few good conversations. I just dont commit to driving them anywhere in particular or for any distance, its not my responsibility. Thats what hitchhiking is all about.

And the fact that there are people who dont want to work is shocking to you? I met boatloads Americans, Canadians, Poles, Brits etc who turned out to be parasitic leeches, the worst are the upper middle class college grads, they expect everything to be delivered on a platter to them. Poland is absolutely normal in this regard.

Finally someone gives some arguments.

I am agree with you that there are parasites among every nation. However, honestly from my experience I think Poles are overrepresented on this. This reminds me also that some Poles mentions that Poland's ''economical growth'' is due to the hard-working polish population and that there are not foreigners. No offense, but I cannot stop laughing from that one.

Hmmm... you are quite right here, the amount of Poles I met whose definition of a good job meant not a good career track, an executive office, bonuses or professional enrichment... but a "ciepla posadka", a desk job where you sit on your ass, drink coffee and read a newspaper the whole day, was quite astounding. This is considered a dream job in Poland to be making 3000zl a month doing nothing. NO ambition, work ethic, hope... at least they're cheap in this regard, most Westerners want jobs paying 3000 USD/EUR/GBP per month for doing nothing.

On the other hand I know many Poles who bust their ass day in day out, 12 hour days, sacrificing family, friends and life to make the boss happy. I can quite honestly point to them and say "here are the ones trying to make their own lives and the country better".

But like you, I do not sympathize nor understand the "woe is me, I have no job and can't find work". There is tons of work out there. It is, in most regards, due to sheer laziness.

Last year I took 2 hitchhikers with backpacks going from Eastern Poland to Warsaw. They were Russian girl students of Art University from St. Petersburg going to Paris. They told me they want to visit as much galleries as possible and they had a plan to save as much as possible slipping in their tent somwhere in public parks or train stations (even if they had some cash and credit cards). I was trying to explain them it is not a good idea, because it's not safe for 2 young girls and is not allowed in some countries (Poland and Germany for. example). Finaly I arranged a room in youth hostel for them. I hope they finally reach their destination and turned back home alive.

Nope, they had no chance like most foreigners in Poland, I raped and killed them. Sorry, better luck next time.

Except for his bad attitude, I don't understand why his lifestyle should bother you. Life is really quite boring when everyone fits the same mold.

In India, for example, there are about 5 million Sadhus, who renounce all their worldly possessions and wander around, relaying on kindness of strangers. Most people think they're there to pay for everyone else's sins (karma) and treat them with respect.

LOL not bad

I'm sure you can find people like that, bust most hitchhikers I met were students, trying to save a buck where they could. They are generally tidy pleasant people. I think you were unlucky.

ohh doesnt the government just love it when these free spirited, generally smart people are looked upon as parasites, freeloaders or lazy by the majority, i mean who can possibly be free in this capitalist world we live in. They should be at work being good littke boys and girls paying taxes and spending all their disposable income on highly taxed crap which they dont need. I sometimes wonder who's the more stupid us or them. At least they are generally free.

As for hitchikers i never pick them up unless i am overwhelmed by a feeling of compassion when i see them, its happened three times.

I think it's good that Poland is such a trustworthy place that people can hitch hike around, find hospitality and live that lifestyle without fear of being assaulted or killed. It would be wonderful if more places were like that. It's great to see the world that way. Hitch hiking can be work, you know? So can finding people to stay with online. All that takes effort :)

Free spirited? They are lazy as***les, who expect to live from other peoples work. Because of people like them and your kind of mentality Poland is a failed state


Only idiots spend their money in something they don't need


No, Poland is not a trustworthy place. Some hitchhike because they cannot afford a trip otherwise. And Poles steal stuff

whereas you are then "overwhelmed" by a horrible smell.

Ranting about someone else's lifestyle is really pathetic

You dont want to give them a lift then dont

I always pick hitchers up sometimes let them stay, people did it for me so its payback time now.

Poles do the same all the time.

If you don't have money, then don't travel and stay home. Otherwise, those hitchhikers spread a bad reputation to Poland with their bagging attitute and manners

Hitch hiking culture is needed everywhere, it's just some places are too unsafe. It's a shame. The adventurous wanderer is a romantic figure indeed. The world learns much from such free spirits. I admire free spirits above all others.

Free spirits? my ass!

yeah, nothing like the ole good communism, WB

a bunch of bolsheviks

What we need across the world is a hitch hiker's network. One that is honorable and trustworthy.

Only people who have no money for traveling would need that. I repeat it once again, if they have no money for traveling, they should stay home instead

That's too provincial. Everyone should get out there and experience the world, with or without money. People should be able to interact with others without crime getting in the way. That is why I propose a network to help the weary traveler out :)

Might i ask you to think about that for a few months maybe even years (im not joking) and then come back and then perhaps i will engage in a constructive conversation with you.

Who made you dictator?

Why judge that person looking a lift?

If you dont like hitchers dont pick them up.

I guess, you totally misunderstood my intentions, my friend ;-)