I don't understand why French people believe that if they pull over in their car when it's dark outside (no matter how late it is) and I am walking alone I will not approach them. Even if they call out, "Excuse me!" or "Miss!" or honk their horns. These people are only calling me over for one of three reasons:

A. They think I'm a prostitute and are soliciting me.
B. They are going to kidnap me.
C. They need directions.

If it is option A: It would be quite the awkward conversation to explain that I am, no matter how poor, not going to become a hooker. It would seem reason enough not to approach a car for the 1 in a thousand chance that this is the case.....but we must not forget.......

If it is option B: I do not want to be kidnapped. I know I'm in the minority in thinking this, but I don't believe I would enjoy this experience at all. Not to mention that it would be quite the buzzkill in my awesome stories about France.

If it is option C: I would be more than happy to give directions to anybody during the day, when my French is at its peak, and with other people around. If it is dark my French is probably not at its finest and I probably wouldn't even give directions to someone walking. Also, the fact that this encounter could be possibly option A or B (perhaps 1 in two thousand....hey, that's still too high of odds for me) makes it obligatory that I decline your offer to show off my knowledge of my little city of Tours.

There are other people walking around.

You can get directions from one of them.

So please leave me alone and don't make me look like a tool ignoring you.

'cuz that's all you'll get from me.



Always,
Amanda