Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
would be both shirking their duty to you and failing to look
intelligent. So pick your person carefully (not too roostery)
and feel free to ask him or her i rst if he or she lives in the
quartier
(the neighbourhood).
Here is how one French friend of mine picks someone to
ask directions: “I ask a man or woman who looks intelligent.
Not anyone old and slow, who probably doesn't leave the area
very often and won't be able to organise his thoughts quickly.
I look for efi cient-looking people, serious people carrying an
attaché case, for example, and walking coni dently. I don't
ask young people; they might be too shy or too fresh.” (You
see now how l attered you can feel for being asked yourself?)
Usually, your new French coni dant will then escort you to
your destination. If he or she leaves you to it, and you don't
at least start out in the direction he or she indicated, and
continue until he or she is out of sight, he or she may well race
after you to correct your error. (This is another remarkable
trait of the French we will explore later in the topic. They take
to heart any responsibility for you that they have accepted,
including, ultimately, being your friend for life.)
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