Hitching back from the Lake District, I got dropped of on a straight dual carriageway which stretched out of sight in both directions. Having stood thumbing for four hours(!) I was most impressed when a car drew to a halt in the lay-by above the one where I was standing. I picked up my back pack and jogged up to the car.
By the time I got there, the little old lady and gentleman had spread out a picnic, and were looking at me as I jogged towards them.
Not wanting to look stupid (yeah, right!) I jogged past their car, as though I was actually going somewhere (like where????), before eventually slowing to a stop and starting thumbing again - while the little old couple watched me with looks on their faces that confirmed that I would NOT be getting a lift with them when the started again!