Choose your own adventure: A summer day in Tallinn
You approach the group of Americans.
“Excuse me,” you interrupt, “but Helsinki is in Finland. This city is Tallinn.”
Like planets rotating around their axes, they slowly turn to face you. “Hey!” says the largest of the group. “My name is Jim. I’m a Polish-American from Chicago. This is my wife, Lisa. She’s an Italian-American from Philadelphia. And these are our two kids, Mike and Jill, Polish-Italian-Americans from Tampa, where we live. That’s in Florida. So what’s this about Thailand?”
You correct Jim. “No, Tallinn. This city’s name is Tallinn. You’re in Estonia right now.”
Jim realizes that you’re correct, but, despite not knowing the name of the city or country he’s currently in, doesn’t appear the least bit embarrassed. “Hey, you’re right! I guess you people in Europe ain’t so dumb, after all!” Jim reaches into his fanny pack and removes a map of Tallinn. “Thanks for the tip, buddy.”
Jim’s two children begin complaining. “Dad, we’re hungry!” they say in unison.
Jim opens the map and looks at it briefly. He holds this one upside down, too.
“Looks like we’re pretty near a place called Olde Hansa. Hey, why don’t you join us for breakfast? You can make sure the waitress don’t poison our food!” The family erupts into laughter.
What do you do?