Want to increase your good Karma? Consider inviting a stranded trucker to Xmas dinner...

[A HERETIC I AM]

In light of the news about Arrow Trucking going out of business and stranding their drivers in truck stops across the country, here's something to consider this week that might mean an awful lot to a lonely truck driver stuck on the road away from home this week;

Consider inviting one to dinner on Friday.

This idea is best suited for a couple, as two people together offering friendship is less threatening and will be accepted with less skepticism than a single guy doing the same thing (I don't expect ANY single women would countenance such a thing, nor should they).

It might take some fortitude, but here's how to go about it;

1st, locate the nearest truck stop to your home. If you don't know where one is, you can locate one via their websites. There are 4 major chains around the country;
Petro Stopping Centers
Travel Centers of America
Pilot Travel Centers
and
Flying J

2nd, go to the truck stop and drive around the truck parking area. This might not be possible at every truck stop, as some have restricted access to truck parking areas and getting your car in there might not be possible. If not, you can always park in the car parking area and walk around. You want to look for a driver sitting behind the wheel. You then need to approach the driver in a non threatening way.

Here's how I would go about it;

I would do it Christmas day morning. I would get to the truck stop around 9:30 or 10AM because by that time, most of the guys that have miles to drive that day will have already hit the road. Also, of those that aren't going to move for the day, they'll be up and out of bed and likely back to their trucks after having breakfast/showering, etc.

After spotting a driver sitting in his truck, or being clearly able to see him sitting in the sleeper portion of the cab, I'd stop my car in front of the truck next to him (If I'm on foot, I'll just walk straight up toward the windshield until I got his attention). I'd get out of the car and look him straight in the eye with a friendly smile and just hold up a finger as if to say "can I get a minute of your time" while walking toward the drivers door. He'll almost assuredly wind down his window (if it isn't already down) to see what the hell this person wants! I would say something to the effect "I'm sorry to bother you, but I was wondering if you were stuck here for the holiday." If he says he is, then I would say "well, I know what life is like for long-haul drivers and I know it's hard to be away from home, so I'd like to extend you an invitation for Christmas dinner at our home."

You are likely to get turned down several times for any number of reasons. He might be expecting a call from his dispatcher any minute. He might think you are a weirdo for simply being so nice. But trust me, across this country there are going to be thousands of drivers in truck stops this coming Friday that would gladly accept your invitation.

If you get a yes, there is another thing you could do to rack up more Karma points. Offer the use of your washer and dryer. Say "Well, we're glad to have you and look...if you have any dirty laundry, bring it along and you can throw it in our washer." Believe me, this will be appreciated.

As I said, it will take some fortitude to do this, but as a driver with over 20 years over the road experience and having spent quite a few holidays stuck in either truck stops or motels far away from loved ones, I would have been thrilled if this had happened to me and I would have gladly accepted the invite, provided the "vibe" was cool.

So just give a non-threatening vibe and you will make some lonely, stranded trucker VERY happy.

I realize this idea isn't for everybody. It takes an outgoing and non-threatening personality and approach to make it work, but as I said, there absolutely will be literally thousands of (mostly) men out there who were unable to get a load that took them near their home and are stuck in a truck stop near YOUR home, wishing they could be anywhere else. This simple, random act of kindness and hospitality will go a long way and may result in a lifelong friend.

One last thing; It is a plus if the driver can "bobtail" to your house. If he can get his tractor to your place without hitting a low branch or upsetting the neighbors, this is a big plus because he is not depending on you for transport back to the truck stop and his load. If someone had invited me on such an occasion and had said "well, you can ride with us if you like or you can drop your trailer and follow us in your tractor. There's plenty of room to park at our place", I would have taken them up on the offer and followed them home. However, you need to make sure that a 13' 6" tall, twenty five foot long vehicle can get into your neighborhood without whacking a low hanging tree limb, crossing an 8 foot clearance covered bridge(!) or breaking any laws. If you live in such a locale that he could bring his tractor and trailer, all the better.

[hedgehog]

1. Kick!

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

2. The only I might add is... For pete's sake, don't do this at night or after dark.

Wandering around a truck stop at night seem like a god-aweful idea.
Pretty benign during the day though.

[A HERETIC I AM]

3. As I said, it would be best done on Xmas day morning...

Because by then, you are pretty sure the drivers still there aren't going to make (it) home.

Driving or walking around a truck stop at night is a bad idea, not because of any danger, but because it doesn't fit with the idea I am presenting.


edit in (parenthesis)

[MuseRider]

4. we would do this in a heartbeat

But it looks doubtful we will even be able to get out of our farm with the weather coming. If it is not bad I certainly have enough food and perhaps a little something to go under the tree.

[A HERETIC I AM]

6. I'm glad you even consider the idea has merit.

I find it interesting that, as of this post, this thread has gotten 165 views but only 5 responses.

DU is a fascinating community. Very diverse and full of interesting people. I very rarely try to put up an idea that hasn't been discussed before that I think will resonate with the community. I've found over and over that some of the things I find interesting are not interesting to the rest of this boards active members.

Apparently this idea falls into that category. For what it's worth, I don't give a shit whether it is recc'd or not, it's just that I guess I'm a little surprised something I think might have broad appeal as an idea these days, after having been a member for so long, would warrant some discussion at the very least. I suppose I am a little surprised it has not gathered more responses. It just goes to show me that after almost 7 years as a member here, it is apparent that trying to judge the ebb and flow of the common direction of the membership is completely impossible.

[MuseRider]

10. Wow.

I was out and read this on my Blackberry and posted from it so I had not gotten back to check how many responded. I am in agreement that it would seem that this is the kind of thing others would jump on. Odd. Isn't that what sharing and caring is all about? I used to have all my kids friends and their single mothers over along with lonely, single, older friends and friends of my mothers. We had a table full, never any leftovers but it did not matter because it was so lively and happy and fun. The year my brother died right before Christmas our family was invited over to one of their houses. Now it is just us because most of our families are now gone, our children were grown and their friends are scattered all over the country. Having someone else over, hearing their stories, making the day better for them sounds like a wonderful wonderful way to spend Christmas. I certainly is not for everyone, most people have so much family that there may not be any room I guess.

As I said before, the chances we will even be able to leave the farm with this storm coming in are pretty slim but you can count on this, if it misses us we will call. Thanks so much for the info. Merry Christmas if that is what you celebrate or just Happy Holidays!

[SpiralHawk]

5. "If you got it, a truck brought it." - Fact of Life

[CanSocDem]

7. Hate to say it...

....such nice sentiment and all.

But, somebody has to. I was a long-haul trucker for more than 20 years too and I often relished the idea of not having to entertain or be entertaining to my family of 'circus clowns'.

I think it was the solitudethat attracted me to longhaul...

Just the same, a tip of the hat.

.

[A HERETIC I AM]

8. I completely understand the sentiment.

There is no doubt in my mind that quite a few of the drivers in a given truck stop would like nothing more than to be left alone on Christmas Day.

I also think you would agree, if you have spent as much time on the road as I have, that someone offering such a thing as I suggest in my OP, would be welcomed by at least a few in a given parking lot.

[littlebit]

9. I think it's a good idea.

If I was a company driver stranded over the holidays it would be kind of nice to be able to have dinner outside of the truck.