Accidental tour guide
Apr 3, 2006 | 3:50 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: PHX
Posts: 3,794
Accidental tour guide
How many of you while travelling get asked questions by other travellers? And were you able to help?
Just about every trip I have someone ask me for directions or information. Latest one was a British couple in Moscow wanting directions from Red Square to the Bolshoi. I did have a map and was able to help.
I've been asked for directions from the Versailles train station to the chateau, and how much it costs to mail a postcard internationally from the Grand Canyon.
Just about every trip I have someone ask me for directions or information. Latest one was a British couple in Moscow wanting directions from Red Square to the Bolshoi. I did have a map and was able to help.
I've been asked for directions from the Versailles train station to the chateau, and how much it costs to mail a postcard internationally from the Grand Canyon.
Apr 3, 2006 | 3:58 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: UK
Programs: IC Hotels Diamond Elite, BA Nothing
Posts: 8,911
Originally Posted by alanh
How many of you while travelling get asked questions by other travellers? And were you able to help?
Just about every trip I have someone ask me for directions or information. Latest one was a British couple in Moscow wanting directions from Red Square to the Bolshoi. I did have a map and was able to help.
I've been asked for directions from the Versailles train station to the chateau, and how much it costs to mail a postcard internationally from the Grand Canyon.
Just about every trip I have someone ask me for directions or information. Latest one was a British couple in Moscow wanting directions from Red Square to the Bolshoi. I did have a map and was able to help.
I've been asked for directions from the Versailles train station to the chateau, and how much it costs to mail a postcard internationally from the Grand Canyon.
Apr 3, 2006 | 3:59 pm
#3
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Central California
Programs: Former UA Premex, now dirt
Posts: 6,531
Originally Posted by alanh
How many of you while travelling get asked questions by other travellers? And were you able to help?
Just about every trip I have someone ask me for directions or information. Latest one was a British couple in Moscow wanting directions from Red Square to the Bolshoi. I did have a map and was able to help.
I've been asked for directions from the Versailles train station to the chateau, and how much it costs to mail a postcard internationally from the Grand Canyon.
Just about every trip I have someone ask me for directions or information. Latest one was a British couple in Moscow wanting directions from Red Square to the Bolshoi. I did have a map and was able to help.
I've been asked for directions from the Versailles train station to the chateau, and how much it costs to mail a postcard internationally from the Grand Canyon.
JR
Apr 3, 2006 | 6:45 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2005
Location: London, England, United Kingdom
Programs: Marriott (Lifetime Titantium), whatever other programs as benefits make sense.
Posts: 2,012
I've been approached in a few places, as well as offered help to those who are staring at a map in some strange place. One of the most interesting was in Punta Arenas, Chile, where a couple was looking up and down the streets. I asked if I could help them find something, as I had a map with me. They were just looking around, and we got to talking and we found out we were both from Toronto. We chatted for 15 minutes about our South American experiences (mine as a backpacker, theirs as cruisers).
I've also approached a few non-locals for advice. A couple of weekends ago a nice swiss couple was able to tell me which way North was after coming out of Grand Central station in New York City.
Greg
I've also approached a few non-locals for advice. A couple of weekends ago a nice swiss couple was able to tell me which way North was after coming out of Grand Central station in New York City.
Greg
Apr 4, 2006 | 10:57 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Half the distance to EWR than PHL.
Programs: UA, AA, B6, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG, SPG
Posts: 11,695
I am asked constrantly. Besides the usual US places for me I've also been asked in London and Paris. Typically I'm asked when it's in a sort-of touristy area but not the main tourist areas. People will walk right past others to get to me to ask the question. A bit unnerving when I think about it.
Apr 4, 2006 | 12:53 pm
#6
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: STR/FRA, formerly IAH
Programs: LH FTL, Ex UA 1P
Posts: 434
I've been asked multiple times, especially on my last trip to FRA/CGN/PRG this christmas. Do not remember being asked before much, but that might also be due to the fact that this time my gf came along and we were speaking english instead of before I'd be talking in german/czech...
Don't mind being asked and usually I can give helpful answers
David
Don't mind being asked and usually I can give helpful answers
David
Apr 4, 2006 | 1:52 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: About 45 miles NW of MCO
Programs: Acapulco - Gold, Panama - Red, Timothy Leary 8 Mile High Club
Posts: 31,316
I always get asked for help at Wal-Mart 
probably because I wear a plastic work badge on my shirt and forget to remove it when I leave work. Sometimes I help - like the little old lady that wanted a tea kettle from the top shelf - sometimes I have to tell them I don't work there - like the guy that wanted fresher milk "from the back". Sometimes I tell them how much I hate Wal-Mart and say "I quit" as I walk away.
probably because I wear a plastic work badge on my shirt and forget to remove it when I leave work. Sometimes I help - like the little old lady that wanted a tea kettle from the top shelf - sometimes I have to tell them I don't work there - like the guy that wanted fresher milk "from the back". Sometimes I tell them how much I hate Wal-Mart and say "I quit" as I walk away.
Apr 4, 2006 | 1:59 pm
#8
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: NC
Programs: DL, AA, US, Amtrak
Posts: 19
When I lived in Brussels I would occasionally have people ask me for directions in English downtown or in French in less touristy areas. Usually I could answer them because I knew my way around, but sometimes they would be driving and I would have to add that I didn't have a car and wasn't sure how to navigate through all of the one-way streets and tunnels. Things are definitely easier from a pedestrian's perspective.
Apr 4, 2006 | 2:12 pm
#9
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: JUB
Programs: UA, NW
Posts: 166
When I worked at the Pentagon I ran into two French university students outside the South Parking entrance. They wanted to take the tour but were horribly lost and couldn't get help as their English was bad. They'd missed the last tour of the day at that point and were due to leave the next day, so I showed the young ladies around the public areas. They thought that the Ground Zero Hot Dog Stand and Grill (named pre-9/11, relax) was disturbing. I got thanks and some chocolates from France when they returned home.