In Los Angeles, a boy is failing in school, electing to not turn in assignments that are done during class hours, for fear that it will become known that hes struggling with English as a second language.

A driver is hopelessly lost on the freeway in Houston, growing later and later for a meeting, having this sinking feeling that hes going in circles, cursing the skies, but dead set on finding his own way out of the jam.

Are these two guys related?

In a sense, they are, because theyre part of a breed that will do nearly anything to avoid asking for help.

For many, and especially for males, asking for directions, for help, are felt to be signs of weakness. In our upbringing, in our genes, or both, we simply want to be independent, self-reliant, taking charge of and credit for getting ourselves out of sticky situations.

This attitude can be seen in a lot of action heroes on the big screen. They insist on going it alone, even when help is generously offered. And just when we think theres no way they can escape from their problems, miraculously, against all odds, they do.

Rocky battles back in countless title bouts, Arnold finally prevails against the Predator, and Rambo defeats an army of pursuers, with a hunting knife, some twine, and a makeshift poncho.

Their slogans range from, Leave me aloneI can do it! to Get out of my way!

And while broadly criticized, especially by females who think its only normal to ask for directions when youre lost, these independent types are perhaps made of the The Right Stuff that enables them to explore new worlds, and to survive mishaps like those that crippled Apollo 13.

As with so many human traits, our greatest weaknesses, in one circumstance, can be our greatest strengths in another.

So, from one point of view, its utterly dumb to not ask for help, but its a good habit to cultivate if youre likely to find yourself lost at sea, separated from your unit on the battlefield, or incommunicado on the far side of the moon.