Donate to HN: XKCD meeting personal experience giving birth to an idea ...

This is in the UK - social circumstances and conventions regarding walking vs driving are different from those in the USA (and others) so please bear that in mind as you read ...

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I was driving to work this morning, and noticed a young lady walking along, obviously going somewhere. There didn't seem anywhere obvious to be going that was really close - I figured she had about a five minute walk ahead of her, at least.

And it was blatting down.

She was getting quite wet, and I thought - if that were me, I'd like to be offered a ride.

But I couldn't stop and offer one, because no doubt I'd get a look that asked what rock I'd crawled out from under, and what kind of a pervert I really was, and did I really think she was stupid enough to get into a car with someone she didn't know, even if she was getting half-drowned and would prefer to ride.

But I figured she didn't know me, so even if she thought I was demented, and even if she refused point blank, nothing would be lost. So I stopped and offered a ride to a perfect stranger who was getting very wet. Those who know me will know that it's the sort of thing I would do.

What I didn't realise was quite how much vitriol could be inserted into what might otherwise be a polite declining of a simple offer to help.

I won't do that again.

Shame, really.

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So here's the idea. A web site where people can register, then if they accept or offer a ride they can send a photo of the other person. Then when the ride is complete, send a "transaction closed" message.

Then both parties have a stake in making sure the ride ends safely and happily. If someone were registered with the site I'd offer them a ride. I can think of ways to make the security issues work, and suddenly hitch-hiking might come back into vogue, even if only among geeks.

Hmm. Business opportunity?

Jeez people, if your thoughts are as bad as depicted here, see doctor and get some paxil, seriously. Otherwise just open your mouth and say anything, nothing bad will happen if a stranger isn't a chatty mood.