Don't you love following random pathways on the Internet? This morning I was on Etsy and came across an article discussing Hobo signs from the US Great Depression and recently released Theives' Signs from China.
Today, the word hobo is often used interchangeably with “bum” or “drifter,” but hobos were a very specific type of homeless traveler. Hobos traveled around for the sole purpose of finding work in every new town they visited, having usually been forced from their homes by the lack of jobs there. Bums avoided work in favor of drinking heavily, and “tramps” worked only when it was absolutely necessary.
From the first Etsy article I went looking up more of these symbols and became fascinated to learn more about the Hobo culture. I, in my ignorance, did not realize how this group thought of and differentiated themselves and that they had a strong moral code.
The Hobo Code of Ethics was, according to Wikipedia, created by Tourist Union #63 during its 1889 National Hobo Convention in St. Louis Missouri. Here is the code of ethics they decided upon:
- Decide your own life, don’t let another person run or rule you.
- When in town, always respect the local law and officials, and try to be a gentleman at all times.
- Don’t take advantage of someone who is in a vulnerable situation, locals or other hobos.
- 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 insure employment should you return to that town again.
- When no employment is available, make your own work by using your added talents at crafts.
- Do not allow yourself to become a stupid drunk and set a bad example for locals treatment of other hobos.
- 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.
- Always respect nature, do not leave garbage where you are jungling.
- If in a community jungle, always pitch in and help.
- Try to stay clean, and boil up wherever possible.
- 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.
- Do not cause problems in a train yard, Another hobo will be coming along who will need passage through that yard.
- Do not allow other hobos to molest children, expose to authorities all molesters, they are the worst garbage to infest any society.
- Help all runaway children, and try to induce them to return home.
- Help your fellow hobos whenever and wherever needed, you may need their help someday.
The first and most important rule of the hobo code was 'decide your own life', which meant 'do what you want to do'. I think that sounds like it could be a pretty good set of rules and philosophy for us as well.
