There’s something about me that I can’t quite figure out. No matter where I go, people ask me for directions. This has happened not only in the U.S. in cities ranging from those where I’ve lived to cities like Chicago, Boston, and Portland, but it has also happened in Rome, Quebec City, and Paris. It’s not as bad as being asked if you work at a store when you really don’t, (and that happens to me on occasion too). But it makes me wonder.
It could be that I look like I’m from whichever city I am visiting. Is it my skin tone, my clothes, the way I walk, the way I hide my camera and my map??? Or is it that I look like I know where I’m going? Those are two possible theories. But then, there has to be an explanation for why they ask me out of all the other people who look like residents, (most of whom actually are residents). Perhaps it’s my friendly-looking face. Even then, the characteristics of my face that make me friendly looking aren’t apparent to me.
When I don’t actually know the answer to somebody’s request for directions, I don’t pretend that I do or intentionally given fake directions, (like I’ve experienced in New York and New Jersey). In some cases, I have to explain that I don’t speak the language. Then I get the disheartening, “what good are you,” look. But sometimes I have a good idea of where they need to go and in many cases I do know where to go. Then the dilemma becomes how much of my time should I use in helping the person who imposed on my time by asking me for directions?
Perhaps being frequently asked for directions happens to everybody. I have no way of knowing for sure. But I do get the feeling that it happens to me more often and in more places. If I do have a unique quality that leads to others asking me for directions, I wish there was a way I could leverage it and make a living off of it. But I think Garmin has ruined that for me. If only I was born 100 years earlier. I could have traveled the world as the global direction giver. I would live off the food and shelter given through the generosity of residents whose direction-giving burden I would have lifted.
By the way, I’m a guy who does ask for directions when I get lost. However, with a map and my sense of direction, I rarely get lost. Really.
+ Atul
Or Perhaps everyone is asking a bunch of people for directions. I've been asked for directions on three continents even when I did not look local at all. I suspect you spend time outside and walk a lot along major roads... Combine that with not being scarry looking and you will have people asking you for directions at least a couple times a month.
Posted by: Oleg Tumarkin | September 17, 2008 at 01:09 AM
Wow! I think it is very odd that me and my boyfriend are asked the same things as you. We were shopping at Home Depot and people were asking him if he knew where things were located. For a joke, he told everyone that the patio and lawn furniture was 50% off! People ask me for directions at the airport, university, stores, everywhere! Do I look knowledgeable, friendly, authoritative? What is it?
Posted by: angie | September 21, 2008 at 10:12 AM
Oleg and Angie,
You both are making me think that people ask for directions a lot more than I realize. (I guess men ask for directions to?) That means we all get asked quite frequently and perhaps I'm not so unique in this respect. I like the 50% off that your boyfriend uses because it's funny yet causes no harm.
Posted by: Atul | September 21, 2008 at 10:19 AM
That's really funny! I've had more people ask me for directions lately as well. I guess it's the fact that we're approachable and don't look like we're going to shoot someone. Which is always a plus.
Posted by: Allison Zemaitis | September 24, 2008 at 09:23 PM
For get the Superbowl because, in the words of Saint Snooki:
Oh my god, fucking Christmas.
I feel like I need a cigarette now because this meeting of minds, pop culture and entertainment was so exhilarating.
Posted by: Nike Shox TL3 | September 10, 2010 at 05:23 AM
For get the Superbowl because, in the words of Saint Snooki:
Oh my god, fucking Christmas.
I feel like I need a cigarette now because this meeting of minds, pop culture and entertainment was so exhilarating.
Posted by: Nike Shox TL3 | September 10, 2010 at 05:23 AM
Distant blessing, floating on your blog, Loving words, is my most sincere greetings. A caring heart, greeting each other in a genuine concern, no more words, feeling warm wishes, blessing forever! Friends are healthy and happy!
Posted by: new balance | September 23, 2010 at 08:25 PM
Because of the destiny, we meet in the blog, we sincerely, because be the friend lie between screen, a blessing, a caring, our constant theme in your left belongs to me, the mind at the footprints of your blog. Wish friends happy, happy every day!
Posted by: Asics shoes | September 24, 2010 at 09:08 PM