"Hey man, do you know which way the Red Light District is?"
It's a question that I probably get asked on a weekly basis. And it's a question that always makes me wonder how I'm supposed to respond.
I could say that I don't know... The only trick is that -- having a generally good sense of direction and six years of experience getting around in the city -- I'd be lying.
I could refuse to answer his question on ethical grounds, because I really do think that Amsterdam's sex industry is not only immoral (for the "client") but downright exploitative (for the women behind the windows, for the pimps, and for the city which allows for the practice to continue as a means of attracting tourists and increasing tax revenues). I could offer a simple, "I'm sorry, man -- I can't tell you that" or a "Sorry, I'd rather not say." But in a random, passing interaction like this -- with no other relational context to define the interaction -- I would only come across as a judgmental prude.
Or I could provide him with the information he's looking for -- playing the part of the friendly neighborhood tour-guide. But because of said immorality and exploitation, I would feel like something of an accomplice to these systems -- essentially watching the poor stranger's steps leading straight to the grave.
So what am I supposed to say? What would you say in such a situation?