Finding the Way 
While hosting business friends in London and driving to an appointment in Wimbledon, we stopped to check our route at an Estate Agency. The amazing assistance given was a wonderful example of thoughtfulness for others. The agent eagerly explained the best route and even gave us a good quality laminated map of the area.
One of my Australian friends navigated the way expertly using this kind gift. Some of the road signs were unfamiliar to my colleague from "down under" but we made good progress and found the business centre where we were to meet another business colleague who heads up an international initiative.
The right help - at the right time - with cheerfulness and generosity.
Midnight Guidance
Taking off at 6am from London Heathrow offers its challenges. Thinking I had everything worked out through a travel internet site, I set out en route to the airport from Bromley in Kent. Reaching Croydon, I waited at the correct stop for a bus that would take me to the airport according to the travel website. After sometime, while getting colder by the minute, I decided that some error had taken place and began to explore alternative routes. The early hours of the morning are not such a good time for this. However, I met a young couple and they, with the assistance of their i-phone, looked up another website and gave me a good route to the airport.
The bus driver had a further modification that took me through Trafalgar Square to Heathrow. It was a twisiting route servicing the larger factories and busineses for staff on shifts. There were one or two "colourful" incidents on the bus but we made it safely and in good time for my flight. This incident reminded me that one cannot totally rely on websites. They are so dependent on the accuracy of the operators who manage the data and faithfully update it. A further good idea would be to ensure one has an alternative route or two.
Tips on giving people directions:
Seek to establish if the person knows any landmarks in the area
Be as precise as possible
Use landmarks that are clear for the traveller to see
Confirm the number of junctions or roundabouts to pass
Perhaps good to indicate a landmark which is beyond the required destination.
When asking directions give a few details about yourself such as you have never been here before etc.
Ensure that you listen carefully and ask any confirmatory questions.
Be cautious when visiting cultures where to assist and please the guest is a priority and thus directions can sometimes be "colourful" but not always in focus to use a photographic analogy
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