Oh man, that really gets to me. Here in Manhattan, we have our own north, south, east, and west, since the island is tipped slightly east (at the north end). But disregarding that, everyone knows which way north is, because the avenues go north-south, and the streets go east-west. You can say, "I'll meet you on the northeast corner of 53rd St and 10th Ave," because it is so precise. My 24-year-old daughter can do this, but she says her peers can't because they use smartphone apps to get where they are going. Argh! The city is so well laid out, learn a thing or two!