I'm Australian. I can assure you we do not speak in 24 hour clock. We DO use the metric system for weights and measures - and that's where you Americans could use some catching up. It works in ones, zeros, tens so it's easier. Imperial is the crazy - nothing matches! My 2 cents (not pence). :)
i'm not sold that it's "obviously" a better system. I completely appreciate how it 'solves' certain problems living with the rhythms of modern life on a globalized planet. But context is king. I use 24 hour time sometimes and i usually use the military O-eight-hundred style cause its unambiguous (similar to the ICAO phonetic alphabet I learned as a teenage pilot). We are amazing creatures who can handle a lot of complexity and complexity can be beautiful. Simplifying something for the sake of convenience is not only not necessarily beautiful, it also flattens culture (if not homogenizes). Someone a few years ago made this hilarious and hilariously accurate chart of Canadian measurement practices: https://www.reddit.com/r/HelloInternet/comments/czcf7u/canadian_measurement_flowchart/. And, as a Canadian, i can vouch for the utter and complete accuracy of it. I had never systematized my knowledge of how we use multiple systems that vary from context to context. Nor was i ever confused. But it was a real funny WTF moment to see that chart and realize that that's my life. And, since you mention the military use of the 24 hour clock, it made me think about the way the military still use the 12 hour dial to locate themselves spatially, e.g. "I've got your six," or "you're three o-clock." The usefulness of the 12 sectioned circle is self-evident, i would say. Context is king, as they say.
I agree that the 24 hour system is much better when it’s unclear which is meant and for record keeping. For example, I switched my watch and phone years ago. However I’m my experience, often in speech Europeans use 12 hour time when it’s clear what is meant. For example, they would say “let’s eat at six” but would say “my train leaves at 1800.”
Due to military I am accustomed to the 24 hour clock it is a little easier but I'm still a fan of the American way of telling time and many other things. Excellent article
I am from the UK, but have lived in the US for 40 years. I never hear my friends over there using 24hr time. Where are you getting this info from?
For analog watches it gives the user the ability to be more precise regarding minutes elapsed. Have you ever used a single hand 24hr watch? It's hard to ascertain what the minute time is.
I feel you might be suffering from the American obsession with utilising every minute efficiently. And then in our rare down time we make cuckoo-clocks using Imperial measurement. What a country.
As a Norwegian immigrant of 40 years (!yes, one of those that apparently are *very* welcome), I reverted to the 24-hour clock a few years ago as a way of connecting with my roots and to use my brain a little more, seeing that I am (thankfully) getting older, and brain exercise is important. My peeps back home rarely use the 24 hour clock when saying what time it is (always written of course), but you get if it is AM or PM from context, or you add morning or evening, FWIW. Is it helping my brain? Meh. Am I more connected to the culture of my youth? Meh. But now I use it because it has become habit :/
After living in Europe, and having a number of military friends, I figured out the easiest way to convert for a non-math head like me:
Just subtract two from the last digit. For example, 19:00 is 7 o’clock because 9-2 is 7. 22:00 is 10 o’clock because 2-2 is 0. After a while, your brain just does this automatically. 13:00 is one o’clock because 3-2 is 1.
I, too, have changed the time on my devices to “military time” (I agree it needs a better name) mostly bc I travel a lot and most countries use the 24 hr clock. You’d think my math skills were up to the challenge of subtracting 12 but I’ve been stung more than thrice in situations when it counted, many more times when it really didn’t . And yet I’ll persevere! Now I’m off to ask my spouse if he’d like to go out on a date at 18 o clock. No wait, 19 o clock! Urggg
But younger people don't necessarily know how to read an analogue clock. New problem. They don't know where 10 o'clock is! Oh dear. I know my left and right and the clock. (But I'm not young.) he he
17 hundred then you are adding to the momentum of current usage. The 12 hour AND the 24 hour users won’t understand when you want to ‘meet down the bar at 22.’
No man is an island and you’ll get used to it soon.
Even through I use 24 hour in my work as a first responder it’s fine to use 12 hour with the majority of people. You will get used to this too. Just subtract 2, it will make sense.
Odd. I spent last summer in France, Spain & England and didn't once have to use 24-hr time. Of course, I was mostly speaking pidgin English, so maybe the locals were translating it to 12-hr time to accommodate me. Also lived in Japan for 3 years and don't recall encountering 24-hr time. Ever. Will have to pay closer attention next time...
Interesting! I did an unscientific survey of friends in foreign countries, and they said that 24-hour was the default time, but maybe they are all in trucking or something?
Made the switch years ago and never looked back. Like @Shushannah also made switch to metric (not at same time). And yes it drove my family crazy especially in the car (24H time and thermometer and thermostat in Celsius etc)
I'm Australian. I can assure you we do not speak in 24 hour clock. We DO use the metric system for weights and measures - and that's where you Americans could use some catching up. It works in ones, zeros, tens so it's easier. Imperial is the crazy - nothing matches! My 2 cents (not pence). :)
i'm not sold that it's "obviously" a better system. I completely appreciate how it 'solves' certain problems living with the rhythms of modern life on a globalized planet. But context is king. I use 24 hour time sometimes and i usually use the military O-eight-hundred style cause its unambiguous (similar to the ICAO phonetic alphabet I learned as a teenage pilot). We are amazing creatures who can handle a lot of complexity and complexity can be beautiful. Simplifying something for the sake of convenience is not only not necessarily beautiful, it also flattens culture (if not homogenizes). Someone a few years ago made this hilarious and hilariously accurate chart of Canadian measurement practices: https://www.reddit.com/r/HelloInternet/comments/czcf7u/canadian_measurement_flowchart/. And, as a Canadian, i can vouch for the utter and complete accuracy of it. I had never systematized my knowledge of how we use multiple systems that vary from context to context. Nor was i ever confused. But it was a real funny WTF moment to see that chart and realize that that's my life. And, since you mention the military use of the 24 hour clock, it made me think about the way the military still use the 12 hour dial to locate themselves spatially, e.g. "I've got your six," or "you're three o-clock." The usefulness of the 12 sectioned circle is self-evident, i would say. Context is king, as they say.
I agree that the 24 hour system is much better when it’s unclear which is meant and for record keeping. For example, I switched my watch and phone years ago. However I’m my experience, often in speech Europeans use 12 hour time when it’s clear what is meant. For example, they would say “let’s eat at six” but would say “my train leaves at 1800.”
Due to military I am accustomed to the 24 hour clock it is a little easier but I'm still a fan of the American way of telling time and many other things. Excellent article
I am from the UK, but have lived in the US for 40 years. I never hear my friends over there using 24hr time. Where are you getting this info from?
For analog watches it gives the user the ability to be more precise regarding minutes elapsed. Have you ever used a single hand 24hr watch? It's hard to ascertain what the minute time is.
I feel you might be suffering from the American obsession with utilising every minute efficiently. And then in our rare down time we make cuckoo-clocks using Imperial measurement. What a country.
As a Norwegian immigrant of 40 years (!yes, one of those that apparently are *very* welcome), I reverted to the 24-hour clock a few years ago as a way of connecting with my roots and to use my brain a little more, seeing that I am (thankfully) getting older, and brain exercise is important. My peeps back home rarely use the 24 hour clock when saying what time it is (always written of course), but you get if it is AM or PM from context, or you add morning or evening, FWIW. Is it helping my brain? Meh. Am I more connected to the culture of my youth? Meh. But now I use it because it has become habit :/
After living in Europe, and having a number of military friends, I figured out the easiest way to convert for a non-math head like me:
Just subtract two from the last digit. For example, 19:00 is 7 o’clock because 9-2 is 7. 22:00 is 10 o’clock because 2-2 is 0. After a while, your brain just does this automatically. 13:00 is one o’clock because 3-2 is 1.
I, too, have changed the time on my devices to “military time” (I agree it needs a better name) mostly bc I travel a lot and most countries use the 24 hr clock. You’d think my math skills were up to the challenge of subtracting 12 but I’ve been stung more than thrice in situations when it counted, many more times when it really didn’t . And yet I’ll persevere! Now I’m off to ask my spouse if he’d like to go out on a date at 18 o clock. No wait, 19 o clock! Urggg
I sure hope your idea doesn't catch on! I'd be lost.
I'm with you!!
Thank you Sonia!
But that 12-hour clock is still handy for directions. Look, orca breaching at 10:00! Oh, you looked to your right. Missed it!
But younger people don't necessarily know how to read an analogue clock. New problem. They don't know where 10 o'clock is! Oh dear. I know my left and right and the clock. (But I'm not young.) he he
So true!! I use this all the time bc I mix up left and right like a 5 yr old
Ah, interesting point! I like that. Always upsides and downsides.
P.S.: I did set my phone to 24-hour format. I'm game to give it a whirl. Good brain exercise.
Just get on board with 14 hundred or
17 hundred then you are adding to the momentum of current usage. The 12 hour AND the 24 hour users won’t understand when you want to ‘meet down the bar at 22.’
No man is an island and you’ll get used to it soon.
Even through I use 24 hour in my work as a first responder it’s fine to use 12 hour with the majority of people. You will get used to this too. Just subtract 2, it will make sense.
Okay, I will try it! It will make me feel official
I have been using a 24 hour clock as much as I can for decades. It is easier for me to know what part of the day it is.
You are way ahead of me
Odd. I spent last summer in France, Spain & England and didn't once have to use 24-hr time. Of course, I was mostly speaking pidgin English, so maybe the locals were translating it to 12-hr time to accommodate me. Also lived in Japan for 3 years and don't recall encountering 24-hr time. Ever. Will have to pay closer attention next time...
Interesting! I did an unscientific survey of friends in foreign countries, and they said that 24-hour was the default time, but maybe they are all in trucking or something?
I am with your wife… when your idea takes off, then I will learn! 😁
Ha! Fair enough
Made the switch years ago and never looked back. Like @Shushannah also made switch to metric (not at same time). And yes it drove my family crazy especially in the car (24H time and thermometer and thermostat in Celsius etc)
You are ahead of me. And I'm jealous of your metric boldness. I may do it soon...