Ask for Directions - Saving face or time?

The GPS took me to one of many hospital buildings where I needed to go for an appointment.  Unfortunately, it could not show me the most convenient parking lot so I asked a delivery man beside the road, where was the best place to park.  He directed me to a lot behind the building. What do you do when you're on the run and need directions?

Not too surprisingly, men and women have a whole different take when it comes to asking directions according to Deborah Tannen.  Have the differences ever roused your curiosity?  Willingness to ask has a lot to do with point of view and hierarchy.

From a woman's point of view, asking directions involves a quick connection to a stranger and getting what you need without losing time, Tannen suggests.  On the other hand, from a man's perspective, he would be putting himself in a one-down position to a stranger -- an uncomfortable experience, Tannen notes.  Many men might also see this as counterproductive, since if the other person really doesn't know, he could send you on a wild goose chase in order not to appear one- down.  So for most men, it makes more sense to find the way on their own.

The right hippocampus of the human brain houses the mental maps that we use to find our way around.  Added to that the human brain is hard wired for hierarchy.  We learn these cultural approaches early on in life so we can be stuck in a rut.  Willing to take a risk change, since humans can rewire their brains by using a different approach?

Interestingly, the delivery man took a few minutes to find out more specifics from another person.  What is your experience with directions?  A year ago I tried to find the parking lot on my own, located one quite far away and was late.  This year I asked for directions to save time.  Do you ask or try to find your way on your own?