I was setting our office wall clocks forward an hour 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 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 that 97% of Americans now have some sort of cell phone with 85 percent owning a smart phone. In contrast, only about one-third of Americans wear wrist watches today.
When I was in college, a large clock was 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. In response to a past column about phone operators, a reader reminded me how she used to call the operator to ask what time it was. And she wasn’t alone with that effort. Imagine asking an operator — or a complete stranger — for the time now.
I admit that 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 thoughtful Thursday, and thanks for reading.
Shane Goodman President and Publisher Big Green Umbrella Media shane@dmcityview.com 515-953-4822, ext. 305 |