I Gave Tourists the Wrong Directions; I Feel Very Bad About it

So it was you. Now I am going to tell you a think or two. Just joking, yes I have done that too and received crazy directions. As long as you do not mean it to happen I think it is very forgiveable because in a way we are all lost, really, don't you think so? I have to add that once I gave completely wrong directions not meaning to and after the person went on their way started laughing. I was so glad they could not see me because they might have thought I did that on purpose if they had but really it just seemed funny at the time. Yours truly, innocent.

Hi wice lot: I've been in both situations actually. I have felt embarrased when I accidentaly give the wrong directions to someone and at the same time I remembered that I had a terrible day when i visit a city I didn't know well and someone give me the wrong direction. I stayed for ours on the wrong direction and it takes me a long time to return home So now if I'm not sure, I prefer to say I don't know where a place is. ALVARO

I have been given the wrong directions! And ended up in someone's yard...out in the country not even close to where I was supposed to go....but I didn't get mad...I stopped someplace else and asked for directions! LOL....I don't have to give directions very often.....but usually I do know where someone needs to go if its here in my home town.

Yes, I gave the wrong directions once and later felt very bad when I realized what I had mistakenly done. I also have on more than one occasion received wrong directions. Now I try to get a map when possible.

I've given the wrong directions to people as well, not just tourist. Though we might be in our own country, we can't be expected to know it like the back of our hands since there are certain areas we haven't been there or heard of too. If i'm not sure of the place they want to go, i will say sorry, or simply guide them to the nearest possible point, so they can ask for further help when they are there.

Think about it this way, one day it'll be your turn of being a tourist, and you will get fooled by someone when you ask for directions, just as you have done. It's not that bad, it happens all the time, and one day it will happen to you too. It is a very uncomfortable situation being given wrong ways, but it's also very annoying thing to give them. I think it's kind of good to keep away from it.

am in hopes I never did am usually good of giving them out right. only might get wrong direction if they couldnt understand my accent. One person in Mass thought I was asking for a a$$ house and was really looking for an Ice HOuse to get ice

I generally don't give directions cos I'm not really good at remembering the way to a place unless I have used that particular road a lot. And even then, I have to actually be there to remember what turn to take next. If you're not sure about the directions to a place, it is probably best to just admit to them and say "Sorry, but I'm not too sure. I don't want to end up giving you the wrong directions." And maybe you could direct them to someone who might know better. Someone working in a nearby store, for example.

I have accidentally done that too just by getting my north, south, east and west mixed up. It is an honest mistake.

I have also done it. Once the tourists asked me if I dont get down from the bus 700 can I reach this same place. I replied yes, actually they have to get down at the last stop and board the bus from the opposite side. In a hurry I gave them wrong information and felt very bad about it later.

I only give directions when i know for sure where they are going...even then im absolutetly terrible at giving directions. I've gotten people lost...and im in the car with them!

you no need to worry ,there is not u only on this earth to ask for a direction.After they go to a certain distance they will definetly ask some other person regarding the direction and way of their goal,so in little distance only they will return back and go to their right direction.I feel that when someone wasnt to ask for a direction it is better ask where there are group of people or a transport vehicle person ,because the transports like auto vehicle or buses do know the right places,or if not have a map or use internet for the direction specification.Not always go on a single mans decision of finding a direction.

Actually, you were trying to be helpful and your misled was not purposely too. You should not blame yourself so much. I understand that a wrong advise or a wrong direction will frustrate me very much, especially when I am at the helpless moment. In future, you must be careful a bit for not repeating the same problem again.

i shouldn't worry, 2wicelot, theres been a few times i've given tourists the right directions, and in spite of that, they have doubted the accuracy of my instructions, and gone off in the wrong direction!

I know I hate that! What happens to me , I forget one or two things that will make it easier. And by the time I remember , they are far gone! I hate the feeling I couldn't help. I see it by paying it forward. I was helped when I went to New Orleans so it is the least I can do while they are here!

Hi 2wicelot! That happened to me, too! By the time I realized it, the people whom I gave directions to were already far away and it's just a bad idea to run after them. That's why it's always better to tell them "you can ask other people, too". And that's why whenever I am asked for directions and I'm not particularly sure about it even though I have been there myself (I'm bad with remembering directions), I just tell them I am not so sure and that they better ask other people or if there's a police, they should ask the police. Like you, I only give directions if I'm absolutely sure about it! And that's directions for a place that I've been to for lots and lots of times. And yeah, I have received some wrong directions, too. Well, I couldn't really get angry, perhaps a little annoyed, but what can I do? The person is no longer to be seen and I've gone somewhere I don't know and first thing's first, I have to find my way first rather than spend energy on being annoyed.

Oh yes, i have done that before. Not intentional. I remember once my daughter was given wrong directions and she drew the conclusion that it was intentional. I think she was wrong.

I told tourists to turn the wrong way once but they found the place because I saw them later. It happens. I will continue to give directions but will correct myself next time. I don't think I ever received the wrong directions. Don't remember if I did. We are all human and make silly mistakes. No reason to stop.

I've been asked for directions before too and I was always very cautious of the directions I was giving when it comes to tourists. If I know the directions, I gave it as I know it. If I'm not sure, I just refer them to security guards, because I found out that they're more reliable than my pedestrians.

Hello 2wicelot. Yes sadly I have give wrong directions, because I thought I was sure about the direction but then I realized that I was wrong, I felt so bad for that person and prayed for him find a person who can really help. I think one of the reasons of giving wrong directions at least for me is that sometimes I confuse the right side with left. Then I say go straight ahead and turn right when I wanted to mean turn left. I feel sorry too for my mistakes and hope they had found the right address.