Would you accept a lift from a nice man in the middle of nowhere?

[Angelic999]

Out on a remote countryside walk alone as a woman, it starts raining. A man stops in his car to offer a lift. Would you say yes?

This happened to me recently. I said no thank you. He then proceeded to question me about where I was going. He seemed nice enough but I wasn't willing to take the risk to get in a car with a complete stranger (Ian Brady anyone?!)

Part of my female conditioning has been to then feel guilty that I have offended him! But then surely he should have more awareness. Although maybe it's just friendly country folk being genuine!

Absolutely not. It's happened to me too and while I'm sure his intentions were good, I'm not willing to take the risk.

I did accept a lift from a little old lady once though, I was only 17 and walking home from a night out at about 6am, rough, dishevelled, blue hair, piercings, proper little goth, and I was just so grateful she looked past all that and took me home anyway. Still think about her, thanks Letty!

You’ve hit the nail on the head with your female conditioning point. No I would never accept a lift from a man no matter how ‘nice’ he seemed. Even if there was another woman in the car or a baby in the car.

No and him questioning after would reaffirm that was a good decision from me and he wasn’t actually a nice man

No, the same answer if it’s a woman tbf.
I wouldn’t accept lift from a stranger.

I just mean on first impressions- well spoken, quite an innocent look about him, smiley, friendly, possibly just wanted to help someone out in the rain. But of course that all might just be a facade.

No and him asking follow up questions would have made me uncomfortable as well.

I’m very strong and know self defence but I am not under the illusion that I can beat
all or most men. So act accordingly

getting into random car alone on a quiet street no cctv is stupid. You can save yourself with common sense as well as a fight.

You’ve heard of Ted Bundy, right?

He seemed nice. Innocent. Well-educated. Charming even. The reality was very different.

Most dangerous people are very charismatic, friendly, well-presented and charming - that's how they get their victims.

No, even if it’s a 1 in a thousand chance that his intentions were bad, it’s not worth the risk to your safety.

There is not one single, shiny smidgen of a chance that I would even consider it!

I’d also never pick up a hitchhiker, either.

No way, never.
And just because he sounded well spoken , educated or friendly would make no difference at all.

No... And the further questioning would confirm to me that he is at best, clueless and at worst, dangerous.

I had the same conditioning but hopefully I've taught me daughter that she doesn't owe anyone anything and her first priority is to herself. So what if a stranger's feelings were hurt.

So why does getting into a taxi make you feel safer?

There are cases of shared cars where you don't know the person is the person you say.

No. My car broke down a couple of miles from home, with three DC. We started walking home. A posh looking man in a flash silver open top car offered us a lift home. I said “No, thank you”. We walked all the way home!

No, I'm capable of walking 20 miles, and getting wet is a minor irritation so I can't imagine ever risking it.

Possibly, I have hitched and accepted lifts in the past. It would depend where I was, how far from my destination and how much it was raining tbh!

I would probably pretend someone was expecting me at a certain time and make a phone call to say where I'd been picked / by who and when I expect to arrive/ will let you know when I get there and share my location while in the car.

Yes I had a waterproof jacket on so I wasn't out shivering in shorts and t shirt unprepared. It was only light rain anyway.

Generally no though I did accept once abroad and he just drove me to the train station and went into the office and made sure there was a train and we got a ticket - just a kind man. But I wouldn't want to take the small risk its dodgy as however strong you are if he's armed and car is locked you don't stand a chance.

Mate. How old are you?

Ted Bundy was so "nice" the trial judge sung his praises...

That's why women were caught off guard...law student, harismatic, clean cut etc.

This^

https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/too-close-to-ted-bundy

It doesn’t, I rarely get a taxi by myself for this reason. If I have to, I ensure people know I’m in it.