Personally, he confused me. I was wearing a blue t-shirt with a red “S.”
I wanted to say, “No, this is a ‘super man’ t-shirt.” But, he didn’t look like the joking type. So, I turned, “Yes, Albert is over there, next to Kotva” and pointed in the same direction.

Yes, I get the irony that the first person he stopped asked was his fellow country man.
Sigh, there should be a tourist class for Czech. No wonder Americans aren’t popular travelling overseas. As an English language teacher, I was bothered that he didn’t use a complete sentence. I spend considerable time trying to improve my Cz, so I don’t understand why people can’t master the basics: please. Excuse me, and thank you.

The Asian

A day later, on a tram heading home, a young Asian girl stopped me, “Excuse me, Is this Dlouha stop?”

“No, it is the next one.” I answered.

When the tram reached the stop, I motioned for her to exit. She thanked me. I pointed out Dlouha street.

She asked, “Where is Klimenska?” and showed me a map covered in Asian pictographs.

Luckily, I found the landmarks and walked her to the street. It had taken me no more than 5 minutes to show her kindness.

Why did I help her and not the American?

She asked complete questions and showed polite behavior while he gave me blank looks and one word questions.

Patience is also key. I have been in their shoes and have asked for help in both ways. Depending on how you treat people, you get what you give.