Russians seem to avoid using N, S, E, W

[Mark Kingdom]

Living here in Sevastopol, I ask my share of directions to places.
I don't recall *ever* getting an answer where the speaker used
compass directions. It's always, "Go straight, then turn left..."
Granted, plenty of Americans use left, right, straight terminology,
but plenty *also* use compass directions. "Go east on 7th and then
turn north onto Broadway."

Is that a cultural thing, you think, or a linguistic one?

Just curious!

Thanks all for the help!

Mark

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