There were only two times I thumbed a ride. The first was when there was a blackout in NYC in 1973 (I think) and I wanted to get a ride over the 50th Street Bridge into Queens. The driver was very nice and dropped me very close to home as it was on his way to where he was going. The second time was also when we had a blackout in NYC. However, the second time, a limo driver stopped for me and he recognized me from car rides home when I worked late and he took me all the way home. He wouldn't accept money, but when I got out of the car, I threw two $20 bills on the front seat.
I did not hitchhike. But when walking from my car, I have accepted offered rides. Once with an ex-boyfriend. And once a ride offered by a couple with kids. This was before the days of cell phones.