I'm walking through campus on my way home.

A man dressed as though he has been doing construction approaches and asks me directions to the North Gate.

It happens more than it should.  Koreans in Korea should not ask foreigners for directions, certainly not in Korean. But it has happened to me several times.  

I am too approachable.  I walk with earphones in, even when I am not listening to them, so that people will not approach me.  But my approachability shines through.  Today a student I have never seen before was passing my office, looked in, and asked me for two pieces of paper. Not one, mind you, two!

I try to frown, but it doesn't work. People still approach.

I know where the North Gate is. I know how to get there, and if the fellow just had to go straight and turn right at the Daycare, I could tell him that.  But it is not a turn at the Daycare, the road veers right at the Daycare.  I don't know how to say 'veers' in Korean.  And really, this man has no right to expect that I do.  I hardly know how to say it in English.  

"The North gate?" I answer in Korean.  "Take this road for 550 meters, turn right, go for 200 meters and then turn left."

He thinks about it and asks, "How will I know it is 550 meters?"

"You step about this big?" I ask, taking an average step. "About 700 of those."

"Thanks." he says, and scuddles off.