There was a time not too long ago when everyone would ask directions from strangers, whether driving within a city or without. There were paper maps, yes, but it was easier to just ask. There was certainly a kind of fun to it. People would tell you to go right, but would be gesturing left. They would be looking away from you while explaining the route so you wouldn’t be able to hear half the stuff.
It was fun so long as you were not in a hurry (so very rare) or you didn’t end up on a really messed-up road.
As a Local Guide, you still get to guide people but in a better way.
I started as a Local Guide on a really long road trip where I used the Google Maps to find cafes and restaurants and then went on to add a few or make corrections in the existing ones. I have diversified since then, but cafes still continue to be my personal favourite haunts and my most added/edited places on Google Maps.
This is my small way to thank for all the useful information I find.