Ok, so when I hang out with my friends I usually drive, therefore, I have a rule. I will drive in one direction until you tell me where I should go. So, because of this rule me and my friend ended up driving into Baltimore City. We only got a few blocks in when we saw two guys on a street corner making hand gestures toward cars. They were kind of pointing down repeatedly, only with they're arms extented. ...Kind of like the movement you'd make if you were tapping something just in arms reach... And they weren't REALLY on the street corner, they were more like wandering around street just at the corner. They were basically a few inches from being hit by cars, but didn't seem to care. But anyway, I was just wondering what the hell they were doing... Was it a weird way of hitchhiking? Were they trying to sell drugs? I've just never seen anyone do that before. I hope my description was ok... its kinda hard to describe... ok so anyway... thanks for any help.
2007-01-29 08:16:51 · 19 answers · asked by i_stalk_penguins 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
...Well thanks for the sarcastic answers. And no I don't live in the country... I live maybe 20 minutes from the city. And they didn't look like the type of people that where trying to help me out by telling me to slow down or anything... And I dislike being called cute. I'm 22 not 5. It's just a question.
2007-01-29 23:52:41 · update #1
Sorry.. I realized I'm not done yet... There were no cabs to be gotten. It was at the edge of the city not like downtown/inner harbor part of the city. And even in THAT part of the city I hardly ever see cabs. And I know they weren't specifically pointing at anything because they weren't looking where they were pointing... and they weren't looking at the cars with like an urget look on there faces... it was more like their arms were just going it and they didn't even notice they were, and they just decided to wander around on the side of the street...
...this is starting to frustrate me.
2007-01-29 23:59:40 · update #2
What you were mostly likely seeing were "touts". The tout brings you in, letting you know that if you're trying to cop drugs (usually heroin or cocaine) they've got product. The tout is simply in "sales", bringing you in, finding out what you want, and sending a runner off to retreive the order.
You see it all over the city. Sometimes they'll "advertise" by calling out the name of whatever they're selling ("yellowtops" or "black and whites", etc) repeatedly.
I've also seen people get picked up from doing this, but that could simply be so that they can drive to a location to make the exchange.
They definitely weren't hailing cabs, considering that there are like 10 cabs in the whole city and they just go between Loyola College and Fells Point. They weren't telling you to slowdown because Baltimore City is more fun to drive in than a Rally Cross event (and the roads are worse.)
You don't need to worry about them either, they could really care less. There's plenty of business out there to keep them busy, they're usually not in to carjackings.
2007-01-30 09:45:21 · answer #1 · answered by quick4_6 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hey im from baltimore MD and the hand gesture is called "hack" it's when someone doesnt have a ride, and they are trying to find someone that's offers rides better then taxis.. usually you see people waving a finger fast with there arm out in need of a ride somewhere. i would suggest not getting anyone tho... unless you strapped, or known around that area as a "hack" or " neighbor hood taxi man" take you anywhere in the city for a fee. without costing anyone 30-40 slugs ($$) lol. real talk
2014-03-22 17:54:09 · answer #2 · answered by YoungFame 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like they were pointing at something in the street and didn't want you to run over it.
Maybe a pet had just been hit by a car.
2007-01-29 08:24:23 · answer #3 · answered by Molly 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just FYI it could have been two people using American Sign Language. Sometimes Deaf people (at least my Deaf friends) almost get hit by cars because they're so intent in their conversations...
2007-01-29 08:46:45 · answer #4 · answered by treko1313 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, folks were just "hacking" a ride. Looking to be taken in the same direction you are heading, for less than a cab ride. No major worries.
2014-10-04 14:26:35 · answer #5 · answered by Gary 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
oh WOW.........you've never ever seen that before, EVER??
i don't even drive yet and ive seen it! haha..no offense.
it just means that maybe the street lights don't work anymore, and they are pointing the drivers where to go, as to not make any crashes or accidents. next time, LISTEN TO THEM!!
2007-01-29 08:25:50 · answer #6 · answered by A Girl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hailing a taxi cab really really... they were trying to get a cab... in the city thats how it is... there are cab drivers who you will pay to take you where you need to go... they were not selling drugs or hitchhiking... lol that was the cutest question i ever heard... you have to be from the counrty side not to know...
2007-01-29 08:22:40 · answer #7 · answered by heclee 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, first off, I would probably make a new rule- to stay in city limits =D
You might drive off to Compton or Detroit someday, because nobody told you to turn =]
It probably means something really dumb/offensive. IDK. I know what you mean though, because i've seen it before.
2007-01-29 08:24:18 · answer #8 · answered by Me 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They were trying to get others attention...if you slow down or stop...they will ask for money or show your the knife to get your money...dont ever pay attention to those druggy asholes..good thng you reached home safely!!
2007-01-29 08:25:00 · answer #9 · answered by ▒GO FLAMЄS▒ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Was it more like flipping the wrist ( gay hookers ) or gangsigns maybe they were trying to get somebody to drop something maybe the were from the crane operators union
Death To Infidels
LA LA LA LA LA LA !!!!
2007-01-29 08:23:55 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋