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

@2wicelot (2945)
September 7, 2011 4:14pm CST
I didn't do it intentionally of course but it was a while later that I realised that I have sent them the wrong way. There was nothing I can do about it then because we have since parted. To make matters worse it happened more than once. I have decided not to give directions any more; whenever anyone asks me I would just say 'I don't know'. Unless I am absolutely sure of course. Have you ever given people wrong directions? Or have you yourself received wrong directions? All I can say is sorry so sending you the wrong way, I genuinely didn't mean to.
10 people like this
50 responses
@Bluedoll (16774)
• Canada
7 Sep 11
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.
@2wicelot (2945)
7 Sep 11
Yes Bluedoll, it was me . I really didn't mean it. But worst of all I did it on more than one occassion. I guess the new policy of just saying I don't know, please ask someone else should work better for me.
@2wicelot (2945)
8 Sep 11
That is a lot of turns. I think I don't really get lost once I have been to a place once.
@Bluedoll (16774)
• Canada
7 Sep 11
I usually say ahhhhh followed by hummmm then stare in one direction turn 180% and point my finger then turn 90% crossing my eyes. They say, "oh never mind!" I want you to know I didn't get to where I was going but had a good time anyway. Oh by the way did you ever loose your hotel you are staying at? I did and the key said #16. Oh, wow thanks.
1 person likes this
• Mexico
12 Sep 11
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
2 people like this
@2wicelot (2945)
12 Sep 11
It is terrible to give those directions and I hope the people found there way quickly. I think saying I don't know or to point them somewhere they will get better directions is the best policy.
1 person likes this
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
8 Sep 11
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.
2 people like this
@2wicelot (2945)
8 Sep 11
It is good to give directions when you are very sure. But I think I will only give the directions if I am certainly sure from now on.
1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45125)
• Canada
7 Sep 11
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.
2 people like this
@2wicelot (2945)
7 Sep 11
Yes the map is the best way to get around. I think the old fashioned paper map is still more reliable than using GPS because we once got a bit lost using the GPS device on a phone.
@Sanitary (3968)
• Singapore
12 Sep 11
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.
2 people like this
@2wicelot (2945)
12 Sep 11
I agree, we can not be expected to know every location. I think saying you don't know and pointing them to where they can get more information is the best way to handle the situation.
1 person likes this
• Mexico
9 Sep 11
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.
2 people like this
@2wicelot (2945)
10 Sep 11
Yes it really makes me uncomfortable. But as you recommend it is wiser to refrain from it.
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
7 Sep 11
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
1 person likes this
@2wicelot (2945)
7 Sep 11
You must have got some strong accent. Or probably he had weak hearing. It is cool if you can give the right directions all the time. That way you don't get worried later on when you realise you gave the wrong directions.
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
7 Sep 11
I dont know I got a built in radar since I was 4 or 5 I have never lost my way
1 person likes this
@2wicelot (2945)
8 Sep 11
That is a good gift to have.
• Malaysia
8 Sep 11
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.
1 person likes this
• Malaysia
8 Sep 11
Yup. At least that way you wouldn't waste their time and energy and you wouldn't have to wonder whether they ever reached.
1 person likes this
@2wicelot (2945)
8 Sep 11
Agreed.
@2wicelot (2945)
8 Sep 11
It is good to say I don't know when you are not sure of the directions.
@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
7 Sep 11
I have accidentally done that too just by getting my north, south, east and west mixed up. It is an honest mistake.
2 people like this
@2wicelot (2945)
7 Sep 11
It was an honest mistake truly. But I feel bad whenever I remember it. I just wonder how far they had to walk before realising they had gone the wrong way and perhaps asked someone else. It is quite sad really.
@kkanaka (886)
• Singapore
12 Sep 11
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.
1 person likes this
@kkanaka (886)
• Singapore
13 Sep 11
Of course not because when they would have reached the last stop the driver would have informed them to get down and take the return bus.... but still feel bad about it....
@2wicelot (2945)
12 Sep 11
I am sure you were honestly and genuinely trying to help but because if the situation you were in you got it wrong. I just hope they didn't have to suffer because of that.
@saundyl (9783)
• Canada
8 Sep 11
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!
1 person likes this
@2wicelot (2945)
8 Sep 11
It is cool to give directions when you are sure the directions are correct. I think I will only give the directions if I am certainly sure from now on.
1 person likes this
@saundyl (9783)
• Canada
9 Sep 11
They can get confusing eh
@umabharti (3972)
• India
9 Sep 11
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.
1 person likes this
@2wicelot (2945)
10 Sep 11
I really hope they didn't have to go too far before realising they were going the wrong way.
@umabharti (3972)
• India
10 Sep 11
they will definetly ask someone else again after they go a little distance,so u need not worry.:)
@aeiou78 (3445)
• Malaysia
17 Oct 11
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.
1 person likes this
@2wicelot (2945)
17 Oct 11
I really hope they did not have to go too far to find out they were going the wrong way.
@aeiou78 (3445)
• Malaysia
17 Oct 11
In my past experience as a tourist or when I reached a new place, I should seek my second advise or instruction to ensure the right direction I were going to. You do not have to worry so much.
@francesca5 (1344)
8 Sep 11
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!
1 person likes this
@2wicelot (2945)
8 Sep 11
I guess that would be the opposite scenario to my case. You gave the right direction but they doubted you and decided to go in the wrong direction. Makes you wonder why they asked you in the first place if they knew they were going to ignore what you told them anyway.
8 Sep 11
yes, 2wicelot, but i must confess to probably once or twice giving not completely accurate directions, even if unintentionally. i think sometimes people might ask for directions because they want what they believe confirmed, and when it isn't they don't accept the new information, that goes against what they thought was right. human beings are very complicated, but don't feel guilty, you did the best you could, and besides who knows what very interesting alternative tourist attraction they might have found in the other direction, it might have been better than what they were looking for. though most likely they just went a little way and then asked someone else, i've seen a few tourists do that too, they ask one person, then ask another. so don't worry.
1 person likes this
@2wicelot (2945)
8 Sep 11
Yes human can be complicated sometimes. But I think if I ask for directions and it seems the directions I received are not what I was expecting, I wouldn't go the other immediately but I would do that when the person I asked isn't looking.
• United States
8 Sep 11
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!
1 person likes this
• United States
9 Sep 11
I know , it really hurts. All you can do is to try to move past it by helping another tourist. That's what happened with me, As soon as I got to successfully help another tourist I felt better.
@2wicelot (2945)
8 Sep 11
It really caused me distress realising that I gave out those wrong directions.
1 person likes this
@secretbear (19448)
• Philippines
8 Sep 11
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.
@secretbear (19448)
• Philippines
8 Sep 11
It's always good to play safe.
@2wicelot (2945)
8 Sep 11
I think saying I think it is this way but I am not very sure is an excellent response. That way there is a disclaimer in case they end up going the wrong way. But the person giving the directions is always trying to help genuinely but may end up getting the directions wrong.
@jdyrj777 (6530)
• United States
8 Sep 11
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.
1 person likes this
@2wicelot (2945)
8 Sep 11
Genuinely it wasn't intentional. I really thought at the time I gave the correct directions only to realise later that they were wrong.
@jdyrj777 (6530)
• United States
9 Sep 11
I have also made the same mistake. If it had been my daughter you gave the instruction to she would have thought you did it on purpose to make a fool of her. She is parinoid like that. I myself have given the wrong direction accidently like you have. You realize way to late that it was wrong. Nothing really you can do then but hope they ran into somebody else that could help them.
@celticeagle (157593)
• Boise, Idaho
8 Sep 11
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.
@2wicelot (2945)
8 Sep 11
I think I will only give the directions if I am certainly sure from now on.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (157593)
• Boise, Idaho
10 Sep 11
That's a good idea.
• Philippines
8 Sep 11
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.
1 person likes this
@2wicelot (2945)
8 Sep 11
Referring them to security or police is a good idea because those have a much better understanding of the directions. That way they wouldn't end up going the wrong way.
• Philippines
8 Sep 11
Yep, and they have integrity. You can be assured they won't lie to you regarding directions.
@Rosa26 (2618)
• United States
8 Sep 11
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.
1 person likes this
@2wicelot (2945)
8 Sep 11
I really understand how you feel because I feel the same too about giving the wrong directions. I hope they were not to angry about it and that they were able to find the right directions without walking too far in the wrong direction.
@Rosa26 (2618)
• United States
8 Sep 11
Exactly 2Wicelot, that Is exactly what I hope happened to them.