Strange, all helpers at my orientation were specifically told to walk on lawns (if it's the fastest route). I avoid flowerbeds and such as much as possible, but I have no problem walking through someone's yard. I've been doing it for 4 weeks now and haven't heard any complaints or requests not too. Even if someone did complain, I'd still probably do it. Someone that cares about their lawn more than the welfare of others and actually thinks a few steps on their lawn is going to destroy it should never be given any kind of satisfaction.
Caper, seeing you are new here, I will cut you some slack.
The guy at your orientation did not do his job properly. He actually did a huge dis-service. That is assuming you were actually paying attention in class.......
UPS company wide policy is to use walk paths. That is driveway, side walk, decks etc that are actually there for human foot traffic. The last resort is lawn. Period. That is in writing, and available to all that want to look it up.
That being said, there are/were a lot of places that had a walk path that was where the grass used to be, but because of foot traffic etc, the grass had died. That is also considered a walk path.
As far as your lack of concern for the customers wishes and needs, that is a good indicator of how well you would not fit at UPS. AFter all, the S stands for service. OR it used to......