Somehow I always seem to be the "magnet" for strangers asking the "locals" for directions. Seems to happen to me at least once a month. Maybe I give off some sort of "compass" magnetism? :-)
In regards to the directions syntax thing-ie ;-), I give directions like so:
Take a right at such-and-such street, going south. Take a left going east at blankety-blank corner. Usually I throw in a couple of landmark building or business names along the way too :-).
It's no fun giving directions to strangers unless you can reference a few landmarks that "used to be" there. ;-)
SD