I was changing a battery in a wall clock at the office this week, and I wanted to make sure I had the correct time. So I asked a handful of staff members, and they all responded at the same time… with the same time. You can thank cell phones for that incredible accuracy.
It got me wondering when I last asked someone what time it was. Most people don’t ask; they just look at their phones. Studies show 97% of Americans now have some sort of cell phone with 85% owning a smart phone. In contrast, only about one-third of Americans wear wrist watches today.
When I was in college, a large clock hung on the wall in the main dining room area. I would wait for people to be directly under it and then ask them if they knew what time it was. They would offer it… with a puzzled look on their faces as they walked away, looking up at the giant clock. I was clearly more amused than they were.
Asking for the time was once a commonplace request — even to complete strangers — and most on the question-receiving end were happy to share it. Some of us even used to call the operator to ask what time it was. Imagine asking an operator — or a complete stranger — for the time now.
I admit I am in the minority on the whole time-telling thing. I don’t always carry a cell phone with me, and my retro Timex doesn’t keep perfect time or automatically change with Daylight Saving Time. So, when necessary, I continue to ask people for the time. And they continue to oblige… with puzzled looks on their faces.
Have a terrific Tuesday, and thanks for reading.
Shane Goodman
Editor and Publisher
Times Vedette digital editions
shane@gctimesnews.com
641-332-2707