You and I both know it. In fact, everybody knows it: men will NOT stop to ask for driving directions, no matter how lost they are. Sad, but true. We can grumble and complain about this ladies, but it ain’t ‘gonna change the facts one bit. The guys just can’t help it – they’re made that way.

And if by some crazy miracle they are enticed to make the stop and ask the dreaded question, they will inevitably come back to the car to grumble about “what an idiot that guy in the store is, he doesn’t even know what he’s talking about!”

So as we girls learn to understand and accept this irrefutable fact of life (much like we submit dutifully to our monthly visit from “Aunt Ruby”), we must become savvy in dealing with the “car bandit” in a more pro-active way – trust me, save your breath and focus on getting to the destination before the party is over and all the food is gone.

Outside of threatening to take over the wheel, there is one very simple strategy that in the pre-testing stage seems to work like a charm. Be forewarned though, there may be unpredictable reactions from your big guy – such as disorientation and selective amnesia (yes, it works that well). Here’s what you do: Once it becomes clear that you are in fact lost, make a big show of being exhausted (yawn and all) and say that you think you’ll take a nap. Toss and turn for a little while trying to get comfortable, until you finally say “just forget it, I’ll nap later.” Then take out a book, listen to some music (sing along softly) or have a leisurely snack. Are you starting to get the picture? That’s right, you are using the silent treatment to new effect. Under NO circumstances are you to mention being lost or make any suggestions whatsoever to the man in the driver’s seat! If, perchance he asks you to look at the map for him, say “Sure!” and proceed to check it pleasantly, but briefly. After a moment of looking, put down the map abruptly and say “Oh, geeze, you know what? I REALLY have to go to the bathroom – can you find a gas station please?”

And while you’re waiting for him to find a gas station, do a little lavatory shake like children do when they really have to go potty. When you get to the gas station, head directly to the rest room and wait again. If it is not feasible to do that because folk are waiting (or if it is just really unpleasant… It’s a gas station after all), then come out of the restroom and at a leisurely pace, skim around the store, picking out a few things.

Now here’s the very important piece: wait till you guy is headed back to the car (after he has discreetly asked for directions of course, which you will notice), then approach the counter and ask for directions. Be sure to write them down because your fellow certainly didn’t if he asked before you. If he comes back in and tells you to hurry up and that he’s already gotten the directions he needs, just say “yep, I know – the cashier just told me that there was one more turn he forgot to mention.” Quickly finish up – and pay no attention to the cashier’s puzzled expression.

Now you probably have 2 different set of directions (yours being the right one) and you’re on your way!

Remember though, your fellow will not have a memory of this little incident. But he WILL wax on about the route he took and how much faster it was than the driving directions he originally got from the party host.

Try it out for yourself ladies and feel free to thank me later. Safe travels!

Boys are hard-wired to do whatever it takes to avoid stopping to ask for Driving Directions . We do however have a solution to this plain common male-only glitch now on http://www.funandsafedriving.com/driving-directions.html