It happened again. I got asked for directions. So what, you ask? Well, I was in London, where as you may know, I do not live, or even visit all that often. In fact, I had been in London fewer than 24 hours when I got asked, and was in the middle of the not very English act of jaywalking. Indeed, I was at the precise moment when I was asked for directions, lost.
Woman with English accent: “Pardon me, do you know where the British Museum is?”
Me (best American accent, hammed up a bit): “Lady, I don’t even know where I am.”
This happens to me a lot at home and on the road – it’s even happened in Asia – and I often wonder why. Do I look especially trustworthy or knowledgeable? How could I look like a native in so many different places? I must have somewhere along the line lost my New York City “I’m walking here, don’t bother me” mojo.
If you find it, please tell me where it is. I may need directions to find it.