 
Supersport
Member
Username: Supersport
Post Number: 11677
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 9:51 am: |    |
Working in Greektown, I bump into a lot of people visiting Detroit from out of town. Many arrived on tour buses and haven't a clue where to go aside from the casino. The most popular question is "Where's a good place to eat?"
Over the years I've helped out many people visiting. A few weeks ago it was a first time visitor from Oakland, California in town for the Athletics series. He and his wife were having a great time, said the area was very nice, and that they weren't even aware that Detroit had gambling.
More recent, I approached a guy looking around as if he didn't know where to go. I inquired whether or not he needed help, and he asked "Are these 4 blocks pretty much all of Greektown and where most of the places to eat are?" I informed him that he was correct, Greektown is probably the highest concentration of restaurants, but many others are scattered throughout the downtown area.
I ended up sending him over to Eph Mcnally's around the corner, though not before we talked a bit more. The guy was visiting from New York on business, after a west coast trip and a stop in Chicago. He said he found Detroit to be much nicer than he expected, and made note of how nice the People Mover was. This wasn't the first time a New Yorker has told me this, so I can only assume that the subways out there must be real shitholes or something. I went on to tell him that the People Mover was this regions attempt at mass transit, though only ended up serving downtown. It serves it's purpose in that sense, but really leads to nowhere.
I told him about our new riverwalk, which he had already seen. Mentioned Belle Isle, compared it to Central Park, informing him ours was bigger to give him a sense of the parks size. He was shocked that Canada was so close.
As I rambled on about other things, he stopped me and asked "Do you work for the Chamber of Commerce or something?" LOL He was on his way shortly, off to catch the Tigers day game before flying back home.
Anyways, this is just one of many stories I've experienced from helping people visiting. I'm sure many others have stories as well and thought it would be cool to hear some of them. |
Toolbox
Member
Username: Toolbox
Post Number: 1100
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 1:11 pm: | |
One time I taught a young man from Adrian what an alley was. |
Buddyinrichmond
Member
Username: Buddyinrichmond
Post Number: 226
Registered: 02-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 1:24 pm: | |
Once while trying to find the casino I stopped a safe looking guy running along the riverfront with his dogs. I inquired if he knew how to get to there. Before I could get the words out he was giving me the hand without breaking stride and said "Bring a map next time."
Was that you Supersport? |
Johnlodge
Member
Username: Johnlodge
Post Number: 2371
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 1:51 pm: | |
One time I was jogging on the riverfront with my dogs, and some dumbass asked me how to get to the casino. I gave him the hand and told him to get a map. |
Detroitrulez
Member
Username: Detroitrulez
Post Number: 381
Registered: 12-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 1:55 pm: | |
if I was in the middle of greektown and someone sent me "around the corner" to Eph McNally's, I would probably need a map as well. |
Buddyinrichmond
Member
Username: Buddyinrichmond
Post Number: 227
Registered: 02-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 1:56 pm: | |
Well, Mr Johnlodge, that's not very Chamber of Commerce-like of you! |
Crew
Member
Username: Crew
Post Number: 1357
Registered: 02-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 1:58 pm: | |
One time I was running with my Human along the riverfront, when some other human made us stop. I was so mad but all I could do was pant. I really wanted to piss on his leg but I knew my human would be made. My human gave him the hand and mumbled something then we kept jogging. I was so happy. |
Kathinozarks
Member
Username: Kathinozarks
Post Number: 847
Registered: 11-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 2:01 pm: | |
John - there you go making me laugh out loud again. You are too quick!
oh, and i like your idea for roast chicken. Thanks. |
Johnlodge
Member
Username: Johnlodge
Post Number: 2374
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 2:02 pm: | |
LOL just teasing Buddy. |
Detroit_stylin
Member
Username: Detroit_stylin
Post Number: 4942
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 2:05 pm: | |
lmao @ all of you... |
Buddyinrichmond
Member
Username: Buddyinrichmond
Post Number: 228
Registered: 02-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 2:40 pm: | |
No problem pal! |
Supersport
Member
Username: Supersport
Post Number: 11679
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 3:22 pm: | |
So, it appears that Mauser playing in their sandbox drove them over to here. LMAO! |
Johnlodge
Member
Username: Johnlodge
Post Number: 2385
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 3:26 pm: | |
Honestly, I don't run into too many out of towners. But one time I was in L.A., and two cute little Japanese girls came up to us because they were lost. My one friend had just had a Japanese class so he tried his best and we managed navigate the mass transit system with them until we got close enough to their hotel where they could make it the rest of the way. That was fun, though not entirely selfless I suppose. Cue Terryh's comments. |
Susanarosa
Member
Username: Susanarosa
Post Number: 1670
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 3:26 pm: | |
Almost made me miss you Sporto.
You are so sane in comparison. |
Michigan
Member
Username: Michigan
Post Number: 1159
Registered: 04-2007
| | Posted on Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 3:38 pm: | |
LOL at thread, funny posts all |
Danindc
Member
Username: Danindc
Post Number: 3286
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 3:42 pm: | |
A friend said that last week, a couple asked her where "the tower" was in DC. My friend was confused. They meant the Washington Monument.
A lot of times, people on the Metro will ask how to get to the Smithsonian. I always ask, "Which museum." They don't realize there are at least 13 Smithsonian museums.
And if I had a nickel every time someone pointed at the Capitol and said, "Look, there's the White House!", I'd be billionaire. I suppose they never bothered to look at the $20 bills in their wallet....
Sometimes, you can only help people so much. |
Quozl
Member
Username: Quozl
Post Number: 1400
Registered: 07-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 3:47 pm: | |
That is for certain Dan. |
Nainrouge
Member
Username: Nainrouge
Post Number: 248
Registered: 05-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 4:10 pm: | |
When I was in Germany, I was asked by some fellow Americans what time the Black Forest was open. |
Rocket_city
Member
Username: Rocket_city
Post Number: 396
Registered: 04-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 4:25 pm: | |
I carry my camera with me a lot and often get confused for a tourist. If I'm ever stopped by someone, I usually just tell them that I live in Detroit and end the conversation by telling them more about Detroit than they thought they were going to be telling "a tourist". 
There was one time when I was running through Hart Plaza wearing a UCLA T-shirt and some guy smiled and shouted at me, "quite different than California, eh?" I just smiled and nodded since he didn't realize I had nothing to do w/ UCLA or California other than the one day I visited the campus for an hour or two years ago. |
Danindc
Member
Username: Danindc
Post Number: 3289
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 4:33 pm: | |
Another favorite is when people ask for directions to Arlington (Virginia). I ask where in Arlington they're trying to go (It's a 26 sq mile county, people!). They say, "the cemetery!", as if I'm supposed to already know that. I guess it's too easy to just get off the Metro at the Arlington Cemetery station, huh?
----
The most annoying is when tourists ask what stores are at The Mall, and what time it closes.
----
And one time, when I had a part-time gig waiting tables, I was waiting on a group of teachers from Michigan (honest!). I asked where in Michigan they were from, and they said, "From around Detroit."
When they were about to leave, they inquired if there was anything to do in DC. I asked if they had been down to The Mall yet. Of course, they wanted to know what stores were there. I said, "No no no. There are no stores--you walk and go see the monuments. It's a beautiful night to be down there. Check it out."
TEACHERS: "What monuments are there?"
ME: "You know, the stuff that's on the back of your money?"
That wasn't satisfactory enough.
TEACHERS: "Are there any casinos around here?"
ME: "Do you have a car with you?"
TEACHERS (eyes lighting up): "Uh huh!"
ME: "See that road right there? That's New York Avenue. It runs into Route 50. Follow it for about 3-1/2 hours until you get to Atlantic City."
At that point, I didn't care about the shitty tip they were about to leave me. |
Rocket_city
Member
Username: Rocket_city
Post Number: 398
Registered: 04-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 4:35 pm: | |
"The most annoying is when tourists ask what stores are at The Mall, and what time it closes."
--Are you sure the Bush family wasn't in town visiting Uncle George? lol |
Ffdfd
Member
Username: Ffdfd
Post Number: 184
Registered: 09-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 4:41 pm: | |
The weekend of the Grand Prix a woman approached me and told me she was hopelessly lost. She was working the event and needed to get to Belle Isle. Boy, she wasn't kidding about being hopelessly lost. Not only did she need directions, but the wandering had made her late and she needed to call her supervisor to apprise him of her status. She was Canadian and said her cell phone wouldn't work in the States, so she asked if she could use my phone. I've made cell calls from Canada and I know you can make a call from the other side of the border but when you get your bill you will wish you hadn't.
So she used my phone to make her call but only got his voice mail. I gave her directions and sent her on her frantic way. After she left, I wondered if she could tell how hard I was trying not to look at her thick, lush mustache during our entire conversation. I gave it my all, but I probably didn't fool her. |
Diehard
Member
Username: Diehard
Post Number: 128
Registered: 03-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 4:43 pm: | |
I love it when I'm walking downtown and people pull over to ask for directions. They're almost always looking for Greektown or the tunnel, but whatever. Maybe I just look trustworthy?
I was once at the Detroit Music Awards and found myself persuading two French girls to stick around for the last performance. They didn't speak much English and were just wandering downtown for the weekend. I had to break the news to them that, even though all these street names are French, you're gonna have a hard time communicating here. |
Jjw
Member
Username: Jjw
Post Number: 448
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 4:46 pm: | |
Nice Detroit Folks: While taking the water taxi home from work in Baltimore, a gentleman asked me what a particular building was. I told him it was the building seen from the TV show, Homicide, from a few years back. We got off the taxi and I walked them through Fells Point a bit and recommended a restaurant or two. They (father, mother, and son who is now attending school in Fairbanks, Alaska) asked me if I would like to meet with them on Saturday to show them around the town. I agreed and had a wonderful time with them. They spoke very highly of Detroit and hoped it continues it's progress. The highlight was after 5-6 hours of taking them around town, I left with 200 bucks in my pocket and a warm meal. I never asked them to pay me and refused to take the money 20 times. But oh well. All I can say is I love those Detroiters. This just happened over Labor Day! |
Jjw
Member
Username: Jjw
Post Number: 449
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 4:47 pm: | |
OH, by the way-the moral of the story: it pays to be nice to visitors. |
Jt1
Member
Username: Jt1
Post Number: 10151
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 4:47 pm: | |
I was once stopped and this nasty woman start pointing her finger at me and telling me how Detroiters are lazy and stupid and how Detroit sucks. She was a ranting maniac and went on for seemingly ever.
When she was done I receommend that she move to Charlevoix. I wonder if she took my advice. |
Susanarosa
Member
Username: Susanarosa
Post Number: 1671
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 4:48 pm: | |
After a Lions game a friend and I had three or four young Quebecois ask us where the shopping area was. We had to break it to them that there really isn't one, especially on a Sunday afternoon. We sent them to walk around Greektown, instead.
I've been stopped downtown by people looking to find the Fisher Building, the Herman Keifer Building, Monroe (no, not the street... the city).
Lost people are fun to laugh at. |
Michigan
Member
Username: Michigan
Post Number: 1164
Registered: 04-2007
| | Posted on Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 4:50 pm: | |
JT1- no she moved to another message board |
Spiritofdetroit
Member
Username: Spiritofdetroit
Post Number: 579
Registered: 11-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 4:51 pm: | |
Earlier this winter as I was stopped at a red light at the Millender Center, about to hop onto jefferson, I had an older, frantic man honking his horn and hitting his window trying to get my attention. I roll down the window, and he starts screaming "WHERE IS RENAISSANCE CENTER!!!" I smile, and point straight ahead, across the street. "Its that big building there sir"
Man: "THE ONE WITH THE GM SIGN?!?!?!?"
Yep, thats the one.
"HOW DO I GET THERE??!!?"
Um, just cross the street.
Poor old guy on business from Indiana, sweating up a storm |
Dialh4hipster
Member
Username: Dialh4hipster
Post Number: 2180
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 4:52 pm: | |
I try to avoid helping visitors so that the homeless can help them, and in that way earn an honest living. |