Revealing directions

You know when someone is giving you directions (yes, that still happens), they use landmarks that typically have some local importance.  At least to them.   The landmarks people choose to guide you to a location can tell a lot about that person.

Example.  I was picking up my oldest daughter, the athlete and coach, after she dropped her car off at a tire place.  The street and location I was familiar with; but I asked her what stores or buildings were close by. 

It's across the street from 24 Hour Fitness.  That doesn't help me.

Next to the Whole Vitamins and Foods store.  Nope.  Still not getting anything.

Down the street from Crispy Crème.  Now you're talkin' my language.  I know just where that is.

I still remember when we first moved to Arlington 23 years ago, and we were signing up Andrea for soccer.  Where are the fields, we naively asked?  Just behind the Hypermart.   What's a Hypermart, I wondered but dare not ask because the person said it in such a way that only a fool would not know the location of Hypermart.  Hypermart, it turned out, used to be what Walmart called its superstores.  Now it just sounds like a mental disorder.    

I visit people in their homes and always get funny kinds of directions.  Even though no one needs it anymore what with GPS, it still is important that people, generally older adults, give directions to their home.  It usually starts with something like this: You know where the Exxon station is on the corner across from the fire house? 

How do you answer that?  I lie.  I say I know or I think I know.  It's about building their trust and certainly to some people, not knowing the location of the Exxon station across from the fire house could be cause for suspicion.  It's also is about gaining immediate insight into a client.  The reliance on landmarks may reveal a person who has spent most of their lives in a relatively small area.  Their universe is what's around them.  And in this example, it was an Exxon station across from the fire house.

Anyway ... I better wrap up this post, I gotta get going to see my first client for today.  The one that you take a left at the strip club and a right at the liquor store....