trying to read the road signs in central birmingham
It's a trap!
(Though not as much as Leeds)
Or Fort Worth. Fort Worth has an æxcellent set of signpost-free urban freeways, or will have if they ever finish it. This is why it took me three attempts and forty extra miles to find US-287 N and may also be why a confuzzled fellow in my hotel in Phoenix last year was asking the receptionist for directions to another hotel. In Fort Worth. A thousand miles away.
“Stoopid phone says I'm in Phoenix!”
“You ARE in Phoenix!”
Did that myself earlier this year in London. Walked into hotel lobby
"hello, checking in please"
"Hmm, can't seem to find you, are you sure"
"yes, I think so, check your system, I've been here before"
"No, sorry, are you sure it was here and not [other brand owned by same company] just up the road there?"
"Thanks, IGMC"
This, as I'm sure I've mentioned, once happened to me in San Antonio. I'm standing there in the lobby of the Marriott while the staff puzzle over the screens.
Are you sure, sir? Well, I was less sure after standing there for fifteen minutes of them trying and failing to find my reservation. But I wave my phone at them:
there, it says Marriott, San Antonio. Everyone agrees, but still no reservation. Cur five minutes more of squinting at the screen and furrowing of brows.
Then the receptionist suggests 'perhaps you're booked in at the other Marriott?' But no, I protest, look at the address, it's on this very street. 'Yes,' she agrees and points out through the door, 'but so is the other Marriott.'
Which was exactly opposite, on the other side of the street.
Quite why they didn't suggest this obvious source of confusion, and I don't think I can have been the first, somewhat earlier in proceedings is still a mystery. I think this is how they get their kicks. I reckon the taxi drivers are in on it too.