Final answer:
A person who sticks out a thumb to hitch a ride is known as a hitchhiker. This is a common method of transportation for people without personal vehicles, often depicted in literature and seen in places like Cuba, where resources for transit are scarce.
Step-by-step explanation:
Someone who sticks out a thumb to hitch a ride is commonly referred to as a hitchhiker. This term describes a person who solicits rides from strangers, typically by standing at the edge of a road and extending their thumb upwards to signal passing drivers. Throughout literature and various cultures, the act of hitchhiking has been depicted as a means of transportation used when individuals lack personal vehicles or public transportation options.
In many societies, hitchhiking is seen as a resourceful way to travel, often out of necessity rather than choice. Similar behavior can be observed in some regions, like Cuba, where people use any available resources to get to their destinations, even if it means catching a ride on a dump truck or other unconventional vehicles. The act of hitchhiking is not only a testament to human ingenuity but also to the kindness of strangers willing to offer a ride to those in need.