Poll: Can you tell time on a "regular" clock?

[funguy2121]

I have to keep reminding myself not to be surprised by the stupidity displayed by average people.

OP, I think people intentionally exaggerate their own stupidity, though I'll admit that my belief here is a bit of a paradox, since I also believe that stupid is a choice.

Then again, I also expect a 20-year-old to be able to write and spell and speak at a college-sophomore level, so perhaps I'm naive.

 

[Chris646]

Yeah, I can read 'em. It just takes a bit longer because I don't see too many of them.

 

[CleverNickname]

It does take me a "while". I am one of those crazy people who, instead of relying on their stupid superfluous cell phones, still wear wrist watches, and an analog one at that.

Which has not always been true, and that's the problem. When I was a teenager, my wrist watch was a digital one (with neon green highlights, no less; 90's FTW). So during the best time to get used to the damn hands, I just read 4 numbers (we don't use am/pm).

So yeah, now I look big hand, make mental note, look small hand, make mental note, then form the time-telling phrase ("quarter to two") from those two thoughts.

...

maybe I should just go with my cell phone after all...

 

[OldRat]

I'm not exactly sure if there's anyone who couldn't. I've a wristwatch with no numbersm and I can tell it just fine with a quick glance. Then again, I guess most people don't wear watches these days.

 

[Fusioncode9]

I don't remember the last time I really need to look at a clock. My phone is my alarm clock and I use it to check the time. I just looked up and noticed I have a clock in my room, still could understand though.

 

[badgersprite]

Analog clocks are still pretty much the norm here. It would suck if I couldn't use something I've been surrounded by every single day for my whole life.

 

[Matt Fitzgerald]

I prefer analog and except for my alarm clock, every clock in the house is analog. What I don't like is those with roman numerals that do four wrong. Most clocks put IIII instead of IV. It drives me batty. I don't know why.

Romans used the IIII to represent 4, it wasn't until sometime in the middle ages that Europeans (French, German, English, Italians as opposed to Romans) simplified the numeral to the more modern IV. Random trivia...

 

[cthulhumythos]

One thing I have found very fascinating is that I have met multiple people throughout my life who cannot tell time on regular clocks. And by "regular" clocks, I'm talking the ones with the hands and the round faces, like Big Ben.

I personally love analog clocks; in fact I'm sort of starting my own collection here. But I just find it astounding that some people my age (20) could have gone all this time and never learned. So, Escapists, can you tell time on an analog clock?

I'm sorry if this comes across as insulting or demeaning, this sort of thing just fascinates me. I grew up in a small town where everybody went to the same schools, and should have learned the same things. But the fact that so many didn't is just...fascinating.

i bought a skeleton pocket watch the other month. it's nice.

actually, i remember in second grade being taught to read analog in math class. apparently clocks are math?

 

[mjc0961]

Of course I can. And I haven't met anyone that should be expected to be able to tell time on an analog clock who couldn't. I mean come on, they're everywhere.

 

[alittlepepper]

Uh, yeah. The clock in my room is analog. I can read it very easily. o_o It actually surprises me a bit to learn that there are people out there that can't. I learned how to in like, the second grade. I don't mean that in any mean way, but. Wow.

 

[rabidmidget]

I admit I was slightly rusty before I got my analog watch, but don't have any real problems using it.

 

[Canadamus Prime]

I can, but I prefer digital because it's more precise.

 

[DarkShadow144]

I prefer regular clock much more than digital clocks. So many people I know can't read them though. I once told someone at work to hold my watch and the first thing they said was "This isn't a watch." I froze and thought "I'm going to have to kill him aren't I?"

 

[Cavehybrid]

I prefer digital greatly, but I can still tell the time on analog. I've never met someone who can't personally.

I've met a few who can't but its a lack of "classical training" nothing to be ashamed of.

 

[TitanAtlas]

the only digital watch i have is in my cellphone... i prefer analog aniways... considering every single place on the world uses one, so its better to know the time with a simple glance, then to wait and look at the analog watches like a retard trying to figure what time it is (sorry on the retard part) xD

The military is also found of using the analog system.... "you need to get there at 1439" meaning 14Hours and 39 minutes, meaning 2:39PM

 

[Your Fearless Captain]

I can read analog clocks. I have met someone who couldn't though. He was 24.

 

[Dawns Gate]

Yeah they taught us how to read a clock face in elementary school math,my dad was a soldier so when he was home he taught me military time, my school teacher didn't understand what 1300 meant and trying to explain it to the all-powerful teacher was absolute hell.

 

[Gordon Freemonty]

The poll results seem to lean towards being able to read an analogue clock. If there are acctually people out there who can't, They are very much in the minority I think.