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Poll Results: Taking Direction

October 11, 2008

Question: Who do you find is generally best to ask for directions to an attraction?

We conducted this online poll over several months on RoadsideAmerica.com, and many of you weighed in on which locals to really trust for directions.

The Police Officer and the Convenience Store Clerk garnered the most, statistically tied at 33% and 32% respectively. Our theory why? Cops know the landscape they prowl, and may be able to pinpoint the location based on its record of vandalism or brawls (or whether there’s a shady spot for a siesta). Convenience store clerks, while fixed in one location, spend most of their work days answering stupid questions, and the trail to an odd landmark may be one of them.

The Postal Worker collected 19% of respondents. We’ve had luck, on occasion, slowing down US mail delivery while we ask a zip code foot soldier for directions to a museum or landmark. In cities however, postal workers sometimes only know their routes, or they are unable to shift brain cells rapidly enough from junk mail parsing to directions parsing…

The Senior Senior Citizen grabbed only 11% of our respondents, even though the elderly are more likely to have noticed a statue and read the plaque. It’s possible though, that the Old Ones’ clarity of ancient memories, history, and colorful anecdotes is less useful when they can’t remember the names of newer roads or turn landmarks.

No surprise, but the Fast Food Worker received a meager 2% vote of confidence to provide the best directions to an attraction. We were thinking of the drive-through window, where minimum wage teens rarely get your sandwich and drink order right. Usually we get a puzzled smile and a “Oh, is that around here?” If they speak English.

Sections: Poll 5 Comments »

5 Responses to “Poll Results: Taking Direction”

1. Craig Says:
   October 11th, 2008 at 12:02 pm

   I ask convenience store clerks because they are convenient. I can visit the facilities, buy gas, and check for local potato chip and candy bar brands while I’m there.

2. John D. Says:
   October 11th, 2008 at 11:20 pm

   You didn’t offer them as an answer, but even better than police officers are firefighters!

   Have to know how to get the engines there quick so they work to memorize places and routes.

3. Doug at RoadsideAmerica.com Says:
   October 12th, 2008 at 11:47 am

   Susie points out that our poll extrapolations are “particularly mean.” True enough — after all, we are talking about expert help from people not paid to provide it! But we get very cranky when we’re lost…

   To John D.: Firefighters are another good source. We didn’t include them in the list since they aren’t as easily encountered — sans sporty helmets — as the others.

4. Kyle Says:
   October 14th, 2008 at 9:36 am

   I’m a man, so I don’t stop to ask for directions.

5. Lynette Says:
   October 21st, 2008 at 2:52 pm

   As a 30 year veteran of the waitress profession, I am surprised that was not listed as one of your sources. People usually start out with “Do you live around here?” And I have to tell them, it’s hardly a good enough job to commute to! But we do have an idea of surrounding points of interest, and unless crazy busy, are happy to direct.

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