re: People need to learn how to read a map

I have to admit one thing they do better in France (maybe all of Europe), is that at darn near every intersection on big or small roads there is a sign that points to the next town, maybe the next major town past that, and also the city center and major attractions. If you generally know what towns you need to pass through to get somewhere, you never need to look at a map for turn-by-turn directions - just follow the signs.