Quick! What time is it?
If you said 1:15 PM, you would be WRONG!
Here’s another…What time is it?
If you said 2:15 PM, you would be CORRECT!
So why am I highlighting this discrepancy?
Because in this day and age, using daylight savings time is stupid and it sucks! Over here in Spain, we just adjusted our clocks/watches/time devices, and it’s a pain. Most of the technology (laptops, cell phones, tablets, etc.) automatically handles the change, but it’s the other things that are bothersome (wristwatches, stove clocks, blinking VCR clocks, etc.).
The other piece of “technology” that doesn’t automatically handle the change is…the human body. The kids don’t like having to go to their rooms while it’s still light out. Heidi and I went to bed around 3 AM because we were off. The kids this morning were a bit grumpy about getting up, so all told, the Wagoners are not overly thrilled.
If governments want to continue using Daylight Savings, then let’s bring back some other completely USELESS rules:
- Don’t go outside with wet hair or you’ll catch a cold. I’m going bald, and don’t have much in the way of hair anyway, so does that mean I’ll only catch a “small” cold?
- No swimming for an hour after you eat. Or what!?
Daylight Savings Time Around The World
If you look at this map, you’ll see how crazy and non-uniform this whole DST thing is:
This past 3 weeks has really been confusing when calling (or being called from) the U.S. If I had to select one over the other and just stick to it all year, it would be daylight savings time. We get more light during our waking hours and go figure, it would even work in the winter!
I won’t complain about this again when October comes around, because, well…I actually like getting that extra hour of sleep, but until then, we at Wagoners Abroad will fight the oppression that is Daylight Savings Time!
(Map from Wikipedia)
I just have to add my 2 cents worth as well.
The kids are out of school each day at 2pm. Alan and I usually arrive 5 minutes early or so, as sometimes the bell rings early. We also have time to chit chat with the other parents. Not today! Nope, we are so messed up with this one hour time change, that we almost forgot to get the kids. It was 1:58pm, Alan and I were working away on our laptops. Then Alan yells “CRAP!” I look at my watch and uh oh, we forgot the kids! LOL I raced to the school in the car, arriving at 2:02pm. The kids didn’t seem to bat an eye and were just waiting outside.
I agree that it’s all a bit pointless. It’s only a number on a man-made clock. The real day and night doesn’t take any notice. They don’t have it here in Thailand, as the sun rises and sets almost the same time all year.
I guess it’s a good thing we’ll be moving to Asia later this year. Thanks for commenting Manfred!
And if you add to this that Spain is on the wrong time zone anyway (apparently is was changed in Franco’s time). Spain ought to have the same time as Portugal and the UK.
Don’t even get me started on our timezone Maxine. We are actually WEST of the prime meridian! Oh well.
Ha! I’m from Indiana, and up until just a few years ago, we didn’t change. People were very against the new law! Parts of our state are on Eastern time, while others (near Chicago) are on central.
I love the light in Spain during the summer. I know it’s the “wrong” time zone, but it’s so nice for summer dinners and parties.
With the sunset coming later, it will be nice. Thanks for stopping by Kaley.
Alan, I am totally with you on this one. The time change always messes me up and I even managed to forget about it completely in some years, resulting in me being at the wrong time at school or work on the following Monday. I never even understood the reason behind this whole thing and I highly doubt that there are really any savings attached to it. But what is the worst in my eyes is the fact that all countries that do change the clock don’t even do it at the same time, but a few weeks earlier or later. The whole thing seems really idiotic if you ask my personal opinion… 🙁
I’m with you Dennis. Let’s start a Revolution!
Don’t you love those long, summery evenings though??
Hey Josh…We do love the long days, but the whole process could sure be improved.