BBC Focus Magazine

[Brian Damage]

Hi,

Watching TV last night I noticed yet again that in any American shows/films they always seem to give directions or references according to the compass points, ie, 'look due East, there's a sniper on the roof!'.

We don't seem to use this method in the UK, and how do they have a clue which way is which? Are they like pigeons and have some magnetic assistance in their heads?

I know M6 north and south, etc, but when I'm in a built-up area I'd have no chance giving directions by that method!!!

Thanks,

BD

[Doonhamer]

Could it be because most American cities are relatively modern and built to a grid plan of blocks?

[The Beige Avenger]

exactly doonhammer.

We might say "on ____ street heading towards _____ street"

[Shadowwolf]

Or it might just be an exaggeration of the show.

[M Paul Lloyd]

Possibly Mr.S but I note that Newcastle upon Tyne (greatest place on earth, centre of universe etc, ) is laid out in a roughly East West, North South 'grid' and I quite often find myself giving directions that include 'go east along the Coast Road' or ' turn North onto Station road' or whatever.


And yes I know, the coast round these parts goes North South but that's all part of the magic of the place.

[The Beige Avenger]

the locals round these parts tend to use the topography e.g. go up Union street..

[Shadowwolf]

Round here it be by pubs.

[Brian Damage]

Thanks for those replies. As previously stated it must be something down to the show too cos the part I saw on TV the soldiers were in a very built up area, completed surrounded by tall buildings, and they STILL knew which way was N, E, S or W!! Interesting.

[nemisis39]

Round here it be by pubs.

same here

I note that Newcastle upon Tyne (greatest place on earth, centre of universe etc, )

hmmmm didn't no that you will be telling us next, that the local cemetary is the dead centre of town (groan)

ill get my coat ....

[Shadowwolf]

...the part I saw on TV the soldiers were in a very built up area...

That they were soldiers may also have a bearing on it, result of training and equipment?

[Flakkarin]

Living in a very 'American' grid city I'd say the compass points are very easy to point out. Streets run North-South, numbers increasing to the West, and Avenues run East-West, increasing to the North.
Edmonton is pretty simple in that way, but Calgary they have some brain-freezing system where there is a Center Street and Avenue, then they increase both directions from there... so there is 1 Street West and 1 Street East. Not easy for a first-time tourist, but makes the compass points a breeze...

[Nails]

Possibly Mr.S but I note that Newcastle upon Tyne (greatest place on earth, centre of universe etc, ) is laid out in a roughly East West, North South 'grid' and I quite often find myself giving directions that include 'go east along the Coast Road' or ' turn North onto Station road' or whatever.


And yes I know, the coast round these parts goes North South but that's all part of the magic of the place.

Been a while since I was on the Coast Road, waiting for the bus to Haymarket...
(I used to live in High Heaton)

...the part I saw on TV the soldiers were in a very built up area...

That they were soldiers may also have a bearing on it, result of training and equipment?

I think that compass direction requires good local knowledge and is easy for a TV audience to understand.
British soldiers may be more inclined to use bearings in real life situations, but this won't come across so good on TV I suspect....

[M Paul Lloyd]

High Heaton eh? I know it well Nails. .