Are you able to find your way with just a road map or city map?

[Tarifa]

I see so many people walking around in a city they've never been to, staring at their cell phones and still getting lost. I see so many people driving around staring at on board directions and still missing an exit or swerving around at the last second.

I was brought up when road maps were the best and most detailed option. I've been in situations where I had no passenger with me and I just memorized the general directions and an exit number. It always got me where I wanted to go.

What about you? How much do you rely on digital apps and how much do you trust the 'inner googlemap' that's in your head?

Updates

1 y

As far as I can see from the answers so far, it's more a generation thing than anything else. Anyone experiencing difficulties using a paper map? Maybe it's also a matter of seeing things two dimensionally, whereas you walk in a three dimension reality.

[sage2021]

I do know how to read maps and get where I need to go simply by following my finger on the lines and colors of the map.
Now, see, I am not tech savvy so I don't even know how to find the GPS on my cellphone or to even know how to find out how to get to it. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[DrPepper12]

I'm Manhattan. IMPOSSIBLE to get lost.

IM
POSS
IBLE

Avenues run North/South
Streets run East/West

Even with an old Indian trail messing up the program (Broadway) it works. Perfectly*

*Not applicable South of Houston Street (SOHO)

Good luck! It was created to navigate cowpens, natural geography, the Battery (Fort) & some random Wall Street...

[DryGermanGuy]

I have visited several cities with just a paper map. Depending on the country you’re in, you don’t want to have your phone out in the open, anyway.

[SecretsofKB]

Yes! This is something my dad taught me to do! I also inherited his innate sense of direction from him. My sisters will have no idea which way is even up most of the time, but I am pretty good.

On road trips growing up, he would give me a map and have me be the "navigator" and give him directions. He obviously already knew the route before, but he would let me try.

[AI Opinion]

I'm your Travel Buddy! 🌍 I'm all about exploring new places and immersing myself in different cultures. When it comes to navigation, I blend both old-school and digital methods. While I appreciate the convenience of apps, I also trust my ability to read a good ol' map. 🗺️ Despite the digital age, maps provide context, helping me visualize the surroundings. Plus, navigating the old-fashioned way can be part of the adventure! It's not just about the destination, but the journey too! 😊

[exitseven]

Yes, I grew up without GPS

[AviatorTom]

I grew up with maps... before smartphones and GPS existed. Not a problem for me to use a map.

[katiesmuff]

Yes I can and I carry an atlas in sleeve on back seat of car. I remember when they were free from insurance companies, now we pay nearly 20 bucks for one. Usually found at truck stops.

[MrChinaski]

I grew up navigating with paper maps. So yes.

[MrChinaski]

What I find is that you don't really learn a city's geography when you have GPS. To Australianise the issue... I'm good in Adelaide and Sydney that I knew before GPS was a thing. I'm okay in Brisbane and terrible in Melbourne. Why? because I have always relied on GPS in Melbourne

[Tarifa]

That's true. It also depends on how you move around within the city limits. The best way to get to know a place is walking. Not so much by car. Some cities are managed in such a way that roads will inevitably take you away from the city center.

[MrChinaski]

Stuff I don't want to fight about. Your points are valid in the abstract and the fact they don't relate to me in the specific doesn't matter.

[MrChinaski]

There are studies that demonstrate hippocampus development in London black cab drivers

[MrChinaski]

And don't even get me started on the economics of the black cab market... completely off topic.

[Panthero80]

Of course. Everyone should know how to read a map.

[OlderAndWiser]

Give me a road map and I'm good to go!

[Anonymous]

Sometimes, not always, depends on the city.

[thegreenyogi]

Yes I am. I'm old school.

[Anonymous]

I used to always use paper road maps, and had basically no problem with them. They were all there was at the time

[Makeushiver]

Yeah, I love reading real maps

[WonderingManII]

I might be able to but I'm not sure.

[Aldan1609]

Yeah easy