It ain't so bad after all

Old HoboNew hobos

When you’re a hobo, friends come and go, rides come and go, food comes and goes. Nothing is guaranteed. Boxcar Bertha touts the life of a hobo as an “escape from reality.” But to me, the life of a hobo seems all too real. As relaxing as it might seem to be free from any obligations, I prefer having deadlines and a general intention when I travel. However it must be noted that a hobo differs from a tramp or a bum. Most hobos would agree that a hobo works and wanders, the tramp dreams and wanders and the bum drinks and wanders.

I don’t dislike the hobo way of life completely however, because these men and women become incredibly capable to adapt to any situation. They know they have to keep moving, keep searching for something better until they reach the light at the end of the tunnel. That kind of community, one where faith in mankind (or at least hobo-kind) must be strong, else fear takes hold, and the community ceases to exist.

As the hobo lifestyle became more and more popular as the Depression worsened, hoboes not only developed a strictly hobo vernacular (as mentioned by marlee), they also established an ethical code. While this amazes and impresses me, the more I think about it, the less surprised I am at how organized hobo society was (is!). From the “Hobo” Wikipedia article, here is the list, created during the 1889 National Hobo Convention: 1. Decide your own life, don't let another person run or rule you. 2. When in town, always respect the local law and officials, and try to be a gentleman at all times. 3. Don't take advantage of someone who is in a vulnerable situation, locals or other hobos. 4. Always try to find work, even if temporary, and always seek out jobs nobody wants. By doing so you not only help a business along, but ensure employment should you return to that town again. 5. When no employment is available, make your own work by using your added talents at crafts. 6. Do not allow yourself to become a stupid drunk and set a bad example for locals treatment of other hobos. 7. When jungling in town, respect handouts, do not wear them out, another hobo will be coming along who will need them as bad, if not worse than you. 8. Always respect nature, do not leave garbage where you are jungling. 9. If in a community jungle, always pitch in and help. 10. Try to stay clean, and boil up wherever possible. 11. When traveling, ride your train respectfully, take no personal chances, cause no problems with the operating crew or host railroad, act like an extra crew member. 12. Do not cause problems in a train yard, another hobo will be coming along who will need passage through that yard. 13. Do not allow other hobos to molest children, expose all molesters to authorities, they are the worst garbage to infest any society. 14. Help all runaway children, and try to induce them to return home. 15. Help your fellow hobos whenever and wherever needed, you may need their help someday. 16. If present at a hobo court and you have testimony, give it, whether for or against the accused, your voice counts!

Further research led me to hobo.com, an online mecca for those that choose a wandering path through life. Clearly, hobo-ism is not a fad, it is a lifestyle choice that lives on through the ages. Even today, when mass migration is not necessary to find work, modern-day hobos live on the thrill of travel to an unknown destination. It is a simple, yet fulfilling philosophy about life as well: why travel if you know where you’re going to end up? Life is more exciting when you don’t always know where you’re going.