History Main / DirectionlessDriver

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* ''Series/TopGear'': According to his co-presenters, without a sat-nav ([[NoSenseOfDirection and sometimes even with]]), this is a very accurate description of James May.

[[caption-width-right:350:[-Dammit, I'm ''not'' lost!-] ]]

* "The Lost Vikings" by [[{{Metalocalypse}} Dethklok]] is about a group of... [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin lost Vikings]] who are doomed to sail around the world forever in search of their homeland because their pride prevents them from asking for directions.

One of the classic StockShticks, and a sister trope to NoSenseOfDirection. Also see YouCantMissIt, ShortcutsMakeLongDelays, and TooDumbToLive.

* One ''Series/MythBusters'' test looked at whether men are really more reluctant to stop and ask for directions. The men actually pulled over (on average) one minute ''sooner'' than the women.

In reality, it [[JustifiedTrope could stem]] from the fact that men used to do the vast majority of driving (and in some places, still do). A woman might be just as reluctant to stop and ask a stranger for help -- especially at night -- but if she's [[FridgeLogic not driving in the first place]]...

* Discussed in the ''SabrinaTheTeenageWitch'' episode "Sabrina The Teenage Boy". According to Hilda, the last time Zelda turned herself in to a man, she got lost for 50 years because as a man she refused to ask for directions.

* ''[[Series/TopGear]]'': According to his co-presenters, without a sat-nav ([[NoSenseOfDirection and sometimes even with]]), this is a very accurate description of James May.

* According to his co-hosts, without a sat-nav (and sometimes even with), this is a very accurate description of [[TopGear James May]]

* JimmyCarr: "It's true, ladies. Men are no good at asking for directions. On the other hand, maybe we wouldn't have to if ''you'' could read a bloody map!"

* Conversed in ''RulesOfEngagement''. Audrey makes a joke about men not asking for directions, and the couple she's talking to has never heard of this trope and the husband asks for directions.

'''Van:''' ''(deranged) No!'' there's an on-ramp close! I ''know'' it! I can ''feel'' it! [[LaughingMad Ah-ha-ha-ha-ha!]]

A Directionless Driver is a character who actively refuses navigation aid when traveling. He will ignore anyone who tries to help them, and adamantly rebuff companions who suggest asking for directions. Things will [[ItGotWorse get worse]] if the DirectionlessDriver has maps or a GPS, as he'll use them as evidence that he already has all the information he needs.

* Ryoga Hibiki of ''[[RanmaOneHalf Ranma 1/2]]'' normally has NoSenseOfDirection and knows it, but in [[RanmaAbridged the abridged chronicles]], he's upgraded to become a stubborn DirectionlessDriver.
* In ''{{Naruto}}'', Pain does technically ask for directions for where Naruto is, but does so in a sufficiently manly manner, i.e. [[spoiler:attempting to solo an entire city full of super-powered ninja,]] which is rather... inefficient, especially given that this is wears-bright-orange-and-never-shuts-up Naruto we're talking about.
* In SpiritedAway, this trope helped to kick-start the movie. Within minutes of starting, the film has:

* Pixar's ''{{Cars}}'' has Minny and Van, the lost tourists passing through Radiator Springs. Van, the husband, sternly refuses to ask for directions; TheStinger after the credits shows them ''still'' lost in the desert, exhausted and delirious.

* Played so straight it's almost a parody in one episode of ''HomeImprovement'', when Tim and Jill have to drive to their friend's wedding in Michigan. Even though Jill ''already has'' directions, Tim refuses to use them, and they end up in Ohio instead.
* Referenced in "The Science Fair" episode of ''TheRedGreenShow'':

* Gender-flipped ''FostersHomeForImaginaryFriends''. When Frankie gets lost, Mac complains about how she won't ask for directions.
* Gender-filled in TheWildThornberrys - Maryann always drives, and she never asks for directions even when her sense of direction isn't exactly best. The gender-flipped nature of the gag is lampshaded by Nigel.

* In the first "Spaced Out" episode of ''TheFairlyOddParents'', the King and the Queen of Yugopotamia were going to Earth to rescue their son. She said they'd not have to blow up so many planets if he asked for directions. He replied he was still the King around there and she said he was King of getting lost.
* In ''TheSimpsons'', there was one episode where Homer became an ambulance driver. At some point he was going around in circles and Lisa asked why he'd not admit he didn't know where the hospital was. Homer's reply was asking why she'd not admit he knew it was somewhere around there.

* The trope is a common joke for male drivers as it is implied that men are too prideful to ask for directions they may see it as being weak if they ask for help.

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[[caption-width:450:[-Dammit, I'm ''not'' lost!-] ]]

->'''Minny:''' "Oh, for the love of [[GettingCrapPastTheRadar Chrysler!]] Can we ''please'' ask someone for directions?"
->'''Van:''' [deranged] "''No!'' there's an on-ramp close! I ''know'' it! I can ''feel'' it! [[LaughingMad Ah-ha-ha-ha-ha!]]"
-->--''{{Cars}}''

* One of the drivers during the MontyPython First Farewell Tour, a fellow identified only as Sid, was mentioned by several of the Python crew as having been utterly unable to find anything anywhere. On one occasion, according to Michael Palin, he managed to mess up a two-minute journey so badly it took half an hour.

* One of the drivers during the MontyPython First Farewell Tour, a fellow identified only as Sid, was mentioned by several of the Python crew as having been utterly unable to find anything anywhere. On one occasion, according to Michael Palin, he managed to mess up a two-minute journey so badly it took half an hour.

[[AC:Stand-Up Comedy]]
* In Vicki Lawrence's "Two-Woman Show" (based on ''MamasFamily''), Vicki appears as Mama, giving her opinions on modern-day topics. On the subject of gay marriage, she says that she opposes it, because "then you'd have ''two'' idiots in the car who'll drive around for three hours before they stop for directions!"
* JimmyCarr: "It's true, ladies. Men are no good at asking for directions. On the other hand, maybe we wouldn't have to if ''you'' could read a bloody map!"

** Another joke offers this trope as the explanation for the trip from Egypt to Canaan following the Exodus taking 40 years.

-->'''Tedd:''' Careful, she might use tactics that wouldn't even cross our mind.
-->''(cut to Ellen asking a gas pump attendant for directions)''

* In ''{{Naruto}}'', Pain does technically ask for directions for where Naruto is, but does so in a sufficiently manly manner, IE [[spoiler:attempting to solo an entire city full of super-powered ninja,]] which is rather... inefficient, especially given that this is wears-bright-orange-and-never-shuts-up Naruto we're talking about.