What You Get For Leaving The Light On

[kerravonsen]

Well, I just had a rather bizzarre experience.

Someone knocking on my front door (I really must check the doorbell), I wasn't sure if there was someone knocking or not. So I got up, and I heard someone talking. Opened the door, and there was this guy talking into a mobile phone, and clutching a street directory.
He pointed to a spot on the map... Then ensued a long and confused conversation where I first said "no, you're not in Ferntree Gully, this is Donvale", then it turned out he wanted to get to Ferntree Gully. His accent was a bit thick, not sure where from; his hair was cropped short and greying, wearing a leather jacket, he looked like he was Greek or Italian. He was talking on the phone to this woman and got her to talk to me, and she was frustrated because he didn't appear to have maps on his phone, so she said she'd call back. So I went and got my own street directory (because I didn't want to open the security door because who knows what some random stranger at night might really be doing, I'd rather keep my screen door closed thank you). So, figured out one possible route from where we were to where he wanted to go, then she called back and gave a completely different route which involved the highway which hadn't been built when I bought my street directory (I probably should get a new one, shouldn't I?) and so that seemed to be sorted.

So then he thanked me, asked my name, and asked me whether I was married. (!?) When I said no, he asked me if I had a boyfriend. "Because you are nice girl, you should have boyfriend," he said. Though he assured me he wasn't applying for the part, because it was his girlfriend who had been on the phone. At least, I think that was what he meant, as I said, his accent was rather thick. Anyway, I wished him good luck and said goodbye.

After I shut the door, I laughed to myself. Life can be quite strange, eh?

Comments

[vilakins]

I'm glad he sorted out how to get to Ferntree Gully. And that was a lovely and deserved compliment - you are a very nice person!

[kerravonsen]

8-)

[dreamflower]

I'm glad you were wise enough to keep the door between you. Just this week they had a news feature here about how easily people can be taken in: a reporter, armed with only a reflective vest, a clipboard and a hardhat, went from door-to-door claiming to be from the water dept. wanting to check their water pressure. Out of seven houses, only ONE person asked for ID! The other six all invited him in without a second thought! (Of course, he told them who he really was then, but still, if he HAD been a Bad Guy?)

Anyway, it does sound like a rather surreal encounter; I think it was kind of sweet he thought you should have a boyfriend (probably a cultural thing, I'm sure he thought it a compliment to the "nice lady", LOL!).

I wonder what he was supposed to be doing, since he was so lost!

[kerravonsen]

After seeing the movie "Unbreakable", the life-lesson I took away from it was "always keep the screen door locked", since that was how the Bad Guy got into the house: doorbell, victim opened door, screendoor between them, screendoor wasn't locked, Bad Guy burst into the house before victim could close door.

[vjezkova.livejournal.com]

Good for you - you were very helpful AND careful. One never knows these days...
When I married here in this village, no one kept the door locked. no one would go in without a permission. And you could ask for help everywhere...
Hmm... and this guy might have even leave his girlfriend for you... or better not!.-)

[kerravonsen]

8-)

[jaxomsride.livejournal.com]

I am hopeless at giving directions and when stopped on the street once on the way to work once by a guy with a smartphone the conversation went something like this.
Can your phone access the internet?
Him - Yes

Can you get google maps on it?

Him - Yes

Why don't you use Google maps then?

He stares at me stunned for a moment and then breaks into a sheepish grin.

I continue my way to work though I hadn't gone far before he was thanking me.

So he had this app and was asking for directions because it never occurred to him to use it.

My OH has gone one better.

When stopped for directions by someone with a smartphone. He borrowed the phone, downloaded the app and then showed them how to get directions from A-B on it.

Guy looks at him like he is David Blaine and he'd just done a magic trick and then thanked him profusely.

As for street directories I think we are all so used to Googlemaps and their regular updating.

[kerravonsen]

Trying to navigate someone else's smartphone to get Googlemaps on it would have been beyond me, and it sounded like it was beyond this guy too, since that was the first thing his girlfriend suggested. (shrug)

[jaxomsride.livejournal.com]

Yes but when he had the app on his own phone and was asking for directions, because it never occurred to him to use it was definitely a facepalm moment for him.

Nope I wouldn't have been able to do it on a strangers phone either, but my OH has no problem with tech.