Originally Posted by
rex615
This has the potential for a good thread. (Subscribing)
My almost off topic contribution is this: One challenge I find in Latin America is that beyond the language barrier, there is a cultural issue with directions.
IME Americans tend to be the best at giving directions. They tell you "go 5 miles north, then turn right at the church, if you get to the bridge, you went too far.". Most are however skeptical you can ride 5 miles on a bicycle and have very little sense of terrain.
Latins tend to start "do you know where the blue church is?" They also tend to mention a lot of landmarks you will pass on they way, none of which require any action. Then when i pass the big mango tree, i remember something was said about a tree, was I supposed to turn here?
Many addresses in Costa Rica include nearby landmarks. "Next to the green church" or "diagonal from Pulperia Chepe". Some actually use the word "antiguo" which means it is no longer there. "Next to the former School".
It's very true that some are better than others at giving directions. I'm not so sure it's a cultural difference though. Some people, like you say, confuse the situation by telling you about landmarks you'll pass, with it often unclear to the listener which of these are important.
A personal favorite example of useless information is the directions my mother in law gives. They include instructions like "make a hard left where the Methodist church used to be"!