h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

...is back in vogue it appears. I just picked up Mrs SWL in Falkirk and had to detour back to Stirling as the M9 is closed. On the way, she told me that two of her employees had been waved down on a back road between Stirling & Falkirk by some men standing by an apparently broken down car. When they stopped and wound the window down, one of the men tried to grab the keys from the ignition whilst another (with a knife) tried to yank open the passenger door. The girl driving hit the accelerator and they escaped. When they got into work, they phoned the police. 5 hours later they arrived and took a statement.

So it was a little surprising to round a bend on the way home tonight and see a car with it's hazards on and three guys trying to wave me down. Needless to say, I didn't stop and I've phoned the police and we'll see what happens.

Oh yeah, the employees who had a close shave said the men were Polish. Nice to see people new to our shores adopting our culture so readily.

Any method that works, you know. To raise funds to support yourself and your family, habits, all of that. Because I am certain these poor, lost souls have had a very hard child-hood, perhaps a less than loving mother or father. They really aren't after your car, your money, or your lives if you resist. Really, all they want and need is understanding, cuddling and love.

Right !!! In today's age, any two or more that are out, atleast one will have a mobile phone. I would not consider stopping, but would move on ... calling the constabulary of the region to "lend a hand" as needed. Or cuffs if that was the correct response.

I just wonder what the police had been doing if these were the same people who had been trying the same dodge in the same area earlier the same evening.

I mean these people urgently need a social worker.

Well, the law enforcement professionals do need their caffeine and sugar levels topped up frequently. For those extreme outbursts of adrenlin, ya know. But what DO social workers do after they leave the office? I have known a lot of folks who let themselves become dependent on the support structures of our country, and none have ever been able to reach a case worker past 5 pm. Reguardless of the circumstances.

S'funny, there's been a lot of talk on the threads over the last few months along the lines of "What would you do if confronted by .." where various people, myself included have imagined their response. When it came to the real thing, the best response was effectively to run away

Alone? I can't even try to guess what I'd do. With a missus or any family along, ... I'd skip as fast as safely possible. As simple a judgement measure for me as that.

"When it came to the real thing, the best response was effectively to run away "

It usually works for me!

Years ago, I'd have suggested grabbing hold of the gent's hand as you drive away, give him a free ride for a mile or so.

I'm to old for that s..t these days, so I would do the same - rabbit away. Depending on how bad a day I'd had, I might do a U turn down the road and just try to drive over them on the return. My wife would scream bloody murder if she learnt I had though.

A few years back in up-state New York, there was a game played by lads on Route 8 at night. They'd blink their headlights at you as they approached. If you blinked back, they shot at you when they came by. I never experienced it and it stopped quickly. Too good a chance of being caught, I suppose.

I'm just above you, in Ontario, Canada. A blink of the headlamps is to normally advise that police and speed traps or what-ever are just ahead. A return of the 'blink' is an acknowledgement. I'm now damned glad that a year ago this time, when I was in Rochester for 2 weeks, I didn't meet and misinterpret the signals.