Jerry and I differ when it comes to asking strangers for stuff such as information. I don't think it's necessary a male vs female thing, just the way that we were brought up. I have no qualms tapping someone on the shoulder and asking for help, directions, or to take a picture of us. Jerry on the other hand hesitates before he does so and often times asks me to do the asking unless I'm really not in the best of moods where I go "YOU/JUST ask." The reason why I make him do the asking sometimes is because if the answer is really long (like a complicated direction) I'd rather not repeat it to Jerry again haha because I'll probably leave out some info by accident. He is a much better listener than I am, my hearing really sucks!
We talked about this difference between us while cruising and figured out what it was. When I was growing up my mom didn't know much English and therefore at a very young age I was the go-to person to approach people for directions, where so-and-so store was, which counter was the correct one, etc. Remember this is pre-Google days so I learned how to read a Thomas Guide really well. I even had to translate for mom at the doctors office, DMV, grocery store, etc etc. (As a side note, being the one person in the patient room who could speak Vietnamese and therefore the only one able to give my mom her cancer diagnosis was NOT fun.) So simply put, I just got used to asking people anything in all situations. Jerry on the other hand- his parents speak perfect English and especially with him being the youngest, he didn't really have to be the one responsible for such things. Of course there are many times when he does take initiative but it's more instinctual for me than it is for him.
The one thing we both still suck at is screening strangers who can take good pictures of us. Most pics of us are crooked or we're missing a limb lol. So instead of asking people sometimes we'll just use a timer instead. Sometimes I feel like, what is the point of asking someone to take a pic of us if I'm just going to delete it later?
Edited to include this awesome pic of us:
