Why, oh why?

I still don't get it. Why are people so rude on the phone?

A guy calls me up and axes for directions to the library from his hotel. He relates to me
the street the hotel is on. I, in return, mention what intersection we're located at
and before I can continue he cuts me off and says, "That doesn't help me!" I really
don't get it. Maybe when we get TV phones and you can see the person you are
speaking to these people might start getting nicer.