When giving directions...

[realisticphish]

Poll question: When giving directions...

When you give directions, do you tell people "go 20 miles on road X, then turn right on road Y", or do you say "go 10 MINUTES" et al?

[trof]

1. I'm about to get my ass whipped.

It depends on whether I'm giving directions to a man or a woman.

[Worst Username Ever]

3. Lol, see my post below

[trof]

6. Great minds think alike.

;-)

[iamjoy]

4. I Think You're Smart

Women and men think differently. It doesn't mean one is better than the other (say that & we'll whip your ass), but acknowledging the difference and customizing your response is cool.

If you're ever giving directions to a Middle Easterner, give it in cigarettes.

[trof]

11. We have a winner here.

We DO think differently.
Our brains are wired differently.
And yes, it's not "better" or "worse", just different.
I tout the book "Brain Sex" here, regularly.
It explains it all...or most of it.

[Lefta Dissenter]

5. and here it comes...

...well deserved.....

[Worst Username Ever]

2. It would be interesting to see this divided by gender.

There was a study that says men are more likely to talk in measurements, women in time or "landmarks" (e.g. instead of "turn left at Smith Street," it's "Turn left at the Amoco Gas Station," etc).

[Padraig18]

7. North, south, east, west, left, right, miles, etc. .

I give give GREAT directions, I've been told.

:)

[trof]

10. More ass whuppin'.

I only give compass directions to guys.
Too many women have told me "I have no idea what you're talking about. Which way is north?"

[fob]

12. Same here. If you're a "Hey how do I get to...?" magnet like I am for

some reason you have to be able to use all descriptors. I mean everywhere I go I get people who seem to deliberately pass by others to ask ME for directions. I guess no matter where I am I look like I belong there?

[realisticphish]

8. Actually

i notice a regional thing. here in central ohio, tell someone to drive 30 miles on I-70, and they'll stare at you blankly. they'll do it, but they'll think you're a freak, and assume it takes 15 minutes

:hippie: The Incorrigible Democrat

[trof]

9. OK, here's why/how.

Time is really no good, except for generalities.
"We're about 20 minutes from the beach."
Distance can be measured on your odometer.
It's a specific.
I won't say drive out Smith Road for 15 minutes because I don't know if you're doing the posted limit or 5 mph under or 10 mph over.
Miles you can see.
Having said that, I always give landmarks.
"Take a right at the end of the white rail fence on your left."

[realisticphish]

13. thats what we do

"drive about 15 minutes, and then you'll see a big mailpouch barn, etc"

:hippie: The Incorrigible Democrat

[yellowdogintexas]

14. neither. If an interstate is involved, I tell people to get on the

freeway and pretend you are going to (for example) Abilene (which would be either I20 or I30 West ). For the purpose of this example my lost person is on I20 and needs to get to something that is on Bryant Irvin Road north of I20

The exit you want is Bryant Irvin Road, and you will take a right at the bottom of the ramp.

The last exit before you get to Bryant Irvin is Hulen, so you can be sure you are ready for the exit.

Then you want to drive on B I through (ever how many there are) traffic lights, until you get to _____ street. And then you go..right/left, whatever. etc.

just as an example. I also use landmarks liberally, and tend to tell people exactly which turn lane to get in if it is tricky.

Most people who get directions from me do not get lost.