The Hobo Code of Ethics
A true hobo has some very specific ethical guidelines to live by - these have been vetted and sourced from a decades long gathering of hoboes in Britt, Iowa. Follow these simple rules and the other junglers won't steal your shoes in the night.
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Decide your own life; don’t let another person run or rule you.
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When in town, always respect the local law and officials, and try to be a gentleman at all times.
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Don’t take advantage of someone who is in a vulnerable situation, locals or other hobos.
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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.
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When no employment is available, make your own work by using your added talents at crafts.
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Do not allow yourself to become a stupid drunk and set a bad example for locals’ treatment of other hobos.
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When jungling in town, respect handouts, do not wear them out, another hobo will be coming along who will need them as badly, if not worse than you.
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Always respect nature, do not leave garbage where you are jungling.
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If in a community jungle, always pitch in and help.
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Try to stay clean, and boil up wherever possible.
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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.
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Do not cause problems in a train yard, another hobo will be coming along who will need passage through that yard.
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Do not allow other hobos to molest children; expose all molesters to authorities…they are the worst garbage to infest any society.
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Help all runaway children, and try to induce them to return home.
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Help your fellow hobos whenever and wherever needed, you may need their help someday.
Sourced from www.openculture.com/2016/11/the-hobo-ethical-code-of-1889.html
See Also: brittiowa.com/events-attractions/hobo-days/
More Here: Hobo Do's and Don'ts