The other day I was going to get on the subway, and there was a man staring blankly at a subway map. I was clear that map might as well been written as hieroglyphics to this guy. He looked up and asked for directions. Now I thought he was asking me but there happened to be a woman that thought he was asking her. We each offered completely different sets of directions. The NYC subway works that way, there's like 8 ways to get everywhere. It's important to note that we each gave directions that would've gotten him to his destination.
The lady gave directions that required transferring trains. I gave directions that required him just taking one train. There is no doubt that the lady's directions would have got him to his destination faster than mine. There is also no doubt my directions would've been easier to follow.
As a seasoned subway rider, I know the lady's directions were "technically" better than mine (assuming getting to the destination faster is better) and had it been me asking for directions, I would have really appreciated her directions. From where we were standing she definitely gave the "best" option. On the other hand, I gave the simplest directions: get on this train, get off at your stop.
Which is actually better?
Clearly I'm going to say my advice was better. (That lady can write her own blog to prop herself up.) Aside from self promotion, her directions were just more complicated. While transferring one train isn't super complex, when you don't know the system it can be a daunting task. Like I said, the map could've been upside down and this guy wouldn't have been able to tell the difference.
So in this case the simple would've been better for this guy. He would've needed to just get on a train and look for his stop. I'm sure he would've made it.
The way the situation played out, I'm not sure if he did. The lady shot my advice down as taking too long and began to give her advice. She said she would show him the way but it turned out he didn't have a Metrocard yet. The scene ended as the guy went to buy one. The lady and I walked through the turnstile. Annoyed that her train was arriving (and the guy was still at the machine), she gave me a "I tried to help him" sort of look and turned to walk toward her train. I shrugged and continued on my way.
