Being asked to check the time

Problem Of Motivation · 20-07-2019 03:31PM #1

I'm talking about a situation where neither person has a watch. How to you feel when someone shouts from one room to another to ask you to look up at the clock to tell them the time?

I remember when I used to work in a factory, this lady would often come by and ask "what's the time?" because she wouldn't want to go and check herself. Now I was standing in such a place that I would only have to lean a bit in order to look through a gap in order to see the time, where as she would've had to walk around. I still didn't like it. It made me feel like I was just the ask time boy. Eventually I stuck it to her when she'd ask. I'd just say "I don't know, why don't you go check"

Atoms for Peace · 20-07-2019 03:32PM

Isn't that what mobile phones are for?

Junkyard Tom · 20-07-2019 03:34PM

I will give you several million dollars for the movie rights to this gripping tale.

Silent Running · 20-07-2019 03:35PM

Problem Of Motivation wrote: »

I'm talking about a situation where neither person has a watch. How to you feel when someone shouts from one room to another to ask you to look up at the clock to tell them the time?

I remember when I used to work in a factory, this lady would often come by and ask "what's the time?" because she wouldn't want to go and check herself. Now I was standing in such a place that I would only have to lean a bit in order to look through a gap in order to see the time, where as she would've had to walk around. I still didn't like it. It made me feel like I was just the ask time boy. Eventually I stuck it to her when she'd ask. I'd just say "I don't know, why don't you go check"

Simple answer. Tell her that it's just coming up to 3. Even though it's actually 3:35.

Problem Of Motivation · 20-07-2019 03:36PM

Atoms for Peace wrote: »

Isn't that what mobile phones are for?

I know. It doesn't happen too often anymore.

But for example, in my case of being in a factory you can understand why I wouldn't have one.

Force Carrier · 20-07-2019 03:36PM

Response: "bout half past"
Other: Half past what?
Response: That's right.

Problem Of Motivation · 20-07-2019 03:38PM

Silent Running wrote: »

Simple answer. Tell her that it's just coming up to 3. Even though it's actually 3:35.

That would work quite well, but only if I already had a good idea of the actual time.

20-07-2019 03:39PM

Just say "yeah - my arse, your face"

Graces7 · 20-07-2019 03:40PM

If you ask someone who you have seen just check the time what time it is? most ly they will not remember

Silent Running · 20-07-2019 03:40PM

NewbridgeIR wrote: »

Just say "yeah - my arse, your face"

Isn't that when someone is looking for a match?

Silent Running · 20-07-2019 03:41PM

Problem Of Motivation wrote: »

That would work quite well, but only if I already had a good idea of the actual time.

You don't actually need to know the right time... wing it.

yabadabado · 20-07-2019 03:41PM

The standard reply is: ten to

20-07-2019 03:41PM

Silent Running wrote: »

Isn't that when someone is looking for a match?

Originally, yes. But you can adapt it as an answer for a number of different questions.

20-07-2019 03:43PM

Harmless. Do so automatically without real thought. To do otherwise might waste conscious time. Of course, if a person does this repetitively, it would be a bother. Reminds me of the "Are we there yet?" cliche.

Different variation... Once-upon-a-time I was at a bus stop without mobile and my watch battery had just failed. There was no clock within sight. I politely asked someone for the time, and they looked at me with disdain, stepped a few paces away, as if I was going to ask them for money next.

Silent Running · 20-07-2019 03:43PM

NewbridgeIR wrote: »

Originally, yes. But you can adapt it as an answer for a number of different questions.

Ah right... so if you're stopped at a checkpoint and the Garda asks for your licence. That kind of scenario?

NickNickleby · 20-07-2019 03:44PM

Problem Of Motivation wrote: »

I'm talking about a situation where neither person has a watch. How to you feel when someone shouts from one room to another to ask you to look up at the clock to tell them the time?

I remember when I used to work in a factory, this lady would often come by and ask "what's the time?" because she wouldn't want to go and check herself. Now I was standing in such a place that I would only have to lean a bit in order to look through a gap in order to see the time, where as she would've had to walk around. I still didn't like it. It made me feel like I was just the ask time boy. Eventually I stuck it to her when she'd ask. I'd just say "I don't know, why don't you go check"

If only you'd stayed, by now you would have been a time lord, with your multi-coloured knitted scarf, big hat and light rain coat. And a big mop of curly hair on ye. With your K9 and some pretty young one hanging on your every word, getting into phone boxes with you. Some people, honestly, don't know they're born!

20-07-2019 03:48PM

Silent Running wrote: »

Ah right... so if you're stopped at a checkpoint and the Garda asks for your licence. That kind of scenario?

Wouldn't be a wise move. The Gardai don't like smart answers.

Better to use it as a stock response to annoying questions like "do you have a match / a light / the time / change for a hostel" etc.

20-07-2019 04:02PM

"What time is it?" *looks at wrist* "Five hairs past my arm"

OP, it's a miracle you manage to get through the day.

freshpopcorn · 20-07-2019 04:04PM

OP just listen to the radio all the time. They often say the time on that.

mrcheez · 20-07-2019 04:04PM

Atoms for Peace wrote: »

Isn't that what mobile phones are for?

Nah that's what Alexa is for

Wheety · 20-07-2019 04:07PM

If I need to know the time, I just post on Boards and check the time on the post

Humphrey Menton · 20-07-2019 04:08PM

yabadabado wrote: »

The standard reply is: ten to

I tend to go with 'Half'.

BalcombeSt4 · 20-07-2019 04:09PM

Problem Of Motivation wrote: »

I'm talking about a situation where neither person has a watch. How to you feel when someone shouts from one room to another to ask you to look up at the clock to tell them the time?

I remember when I used to work in a factory, this lady would often come by and ask "what's the time?" because she wouldn't want to go and check herself. Now I was standing in such a place that I would only have to lean a bit in order to look through a gap in order to see the time, where as she would've had to walk around. I still didn't like it. It made me feel like I was just the ask time boy. Eventually I stuck it to her when she'd ask. I'd just say "I don't know, why don't you go check"

Can't you just press the "sky" button or what ever TV system you have to check time? Or look at your iPod, Desktop or Laptop? I mean we still have clocks but nobody has checked the actual time on them in about 20 years, there more to brighten up the rooms that have to much blood on the wall.

EmmetSpiceland · 20-07-2019 04:12PM

Candie wrote: »

"What time is it?" *looks at wrist* "Five hairs past my arm"

OP, it's a miracle you manage to get through the day.

It’s “time” you got a watch!!

Westernyelp · 20-07-2019 04:26PM

OP. You need to get some help around social interactions. It will make things easier.

20-07-2019 04:33PM

All the OP's difficult scenarios seem to involve women. Does it only grate when a woman asks you a favor/for the time/to pick up milk/wishes you well in an interview?

You think far too much about minor social interactions. Sometimes it's not about putting you in your place and just about finding out what time it is from the person nearest the clock.

RhubarbCrumble · 20-07-2019 04:48PM

"Do you have the right time on you there?"

I'm unlikely to be walking around with the wrong time ......

Sam Quentin · 20-07-2019 05:02PM

Just say:: it's 2 hairs past a freckle..and laugh like a crazy man 😆

bonzodog2 · 20-07-2019 06:02PM

Tell them its Hammer Time (running joke with me and 2 grandkids)

Cee-Jay-Cee · 20-07-2019 06:20PM

Problem Of Motivation wrote: »

I'm talking about a situation where neither person has a watch. How to you feel when someone shouts from one room to another to ask you to look up at the clock to tell them the time?

I remember when I used to work in a factory, this lady would often come by and ask "what's the time?" because she wouldn't want to go and check herself. Now I was standing in such a place that I would only have to lean a bit in order to look through a gap in order to see the time, where as she would've had to walk around. I still didn't like it. It made me feel like I was just the ask time boy. Eventually I stuck it to her when she'd ask. I'd just say "I don't know, why don't you go check"

Cool story Time Boy.

YFlyer · 20-07-2019 06:38PM

Silent Running wrote: »

Isn't that when someone is looking for a match?

Half past kiss my arse.

Being asked to check the time

Comments