For the record, I have an aversion to asking for directions NOT because I'm a man, but because I'm an introvert who has little interest in talking to random people, and I generally have trouble following verbal directions unless they can mention a very clear landmark that I'm already aware of, AND I have cell phone with fancy pants GPS.
That said, I don't know if men or women are statistically more likely to ask for directions. I do know, however, that statistics mean nothing to the individual, and a randomly selected man could easily be more likely to ask for directlons than a randomly selected woman. They could also just as easily not be, but that's sorta the point. Assumptions like that are dumb.
I have no idea what that text is behind Phill, the hero of legend. I want to say it's a reference to a big sign in Clerks saying "I Assure You We're Open", but it's like... "WE A---------UP W?--------?" I wish I could tell you what it was, but I don't have the layered file anymore. Maybe I said at one point elsewhere and someone remembers, but if not, it's lost to the ages.
Commentary added October 28, 2014