Avanti!

Overheard in New York enjoys the guy who gives directions on how to get to Essex Street (link):

Tourist guy: How do I get to Essex Street from here?
New Yorker guy: Go down about seven or eight blocks, make a left, and ask somebody there.

Cute, but two things. One, in Italy this is standard. Ask how to get anywhere and the responder will wave a hand in a general direction and say “avanti!” Which means, go that way for a while and then ask somebody else.

Two, I think it is pretty good advice. The questioner here was at Second Avenue and Saint Mark’s Place. A more comprehensive response would have been:

New York guy: Drive, walk, subway or bus?

Tourist guy: Um, walk, I guess, unless…

New York guy: Well, where on Essex Street?

Tourist guy (fumbling through his guide): Number 90.

New York guy: What’s the cross street?

Tourist guy: Um, I have no idea ...

New York guy: Well if it is near Delancy you go down, let me see, six, seven, eight—no, I think ten—no, nine—blocks, and then you turn left and go, um, six—no maybe ten—let me count…

Tourist guy, disappearing down Second Avenue: got it, thanks!

Translated: way too much information, bro. I go down about seven or eight blocks, make a left, and ask somebody down there.

Which is just exactly what New York guy said.