Back in 1980's I used to study in the city about 80 km (50 miles) away from my home town. I'd go home more or less every weekend, to have my clothes washed, to replenish my food supplies, and of course to spend a weekend with my loved ones. I didn't have much money, so I regularly hitched.

On that Friday a car stopped, and I asked the driver if he was going to my home town.

"Yes I am," he said, "but you'll have to pay for this ride."

I rolled my eyes.

"You understand that I'm hitching because I haven't got enough money for the bus fare, right?"

"No, no, no," he said, "I don't want you to pay ME for the ride. But one day you will have your own car, and somebody will hitch-hike, so give THAT person a ride."

And I have. Many, many, many times.