When it comes to asking for directions, there’s an old Chinese saying: “The road is right under your nose.” The meaning is simple — if you don’t know the way, just ask. But things are not that straightforward these days. Often, someone gets lost and ends up calling someone else to ask how to get to a place. It seems easy and convenient, but it can be quite troublesome because the person being asked doesn’t know where you are, so how can they give directions? The experience of backpacking travelers is that it’s best to ask pedestrians — they will usually give you the most convenient and accurate answers.
Of course, there’s an art to asking for directions, and you need to pay attention to the following aspects:
First, choose who to ask. In cities, try to ask police officers, traffic wardens, or street office staff, as they are usually more familiar with the area. However, in recent years, urban development has been rapid, and some elderly people may have outdated information, so keep that in mind. Generally speaking, it’s more reliable to ask people who are middle-aged or older when you need directions.
Second, your behavior and demeanor matter a lot. You need to come across as trustworthy — don’t appear off-putting the moment you open your mouth. Once, we asked two junior high school girls for directions, and they even guided us for over an hour. But they still wouldn’t let us take a picture with them or tell us their address, saying, “Who knows if you’re good or bad people?” One of our companions was so anxious he even pulled out his ID card. Fortunately, there were over ten of us.
Third, always show respect to the person you’re asking. We don’t even need to talk about politeness — if you genuinely respect others, courtesy will naturally follow. This also reflects one’s moral character. When you need to ask for directions, walk up to the person, greet them sincerely first, then explain where you’re going. After you get your answer, regardless of whether the advice was helpful or not, remember to say thank you.
Fourth, when asking for directions, it’s also helpful to describe the building or landmarks near your destination. Some people may not know street names, but they’re very familiar with major landmarks. If you haven’t been to the place before, it’s a good idea to ask what landmarks to look for and how far away they are.
Fifth, it’s best to ask several people, as different people may have different understandings and ways of expressing distance. You can walk a bit and then ask someone else. But try not to ask another person right under the nose of the first one after you’ve already gotten clear directions — it might make the first person feel uncomfortable.
Sixth, if the person speaks the local dialect, you can try using it too. If you don’t understand, just speak Mandarin. (Bai Ying)