One might think that in a world full of stress, the one who is able to do without the constant glance at the wristwatch is happy. Who can still do that today - and what are the reasons for living without an immediately available watch?
I can not see a relationship between time and happiness: we can live happily at all times and conditions if we have a feeling of satisfaction
When I was working, I needed to know the time; not from a watch, but phone, car etc. Now retired, it's lovely only to be tied to time if I want to catch a bus etc. So, for my convenience.
It depends and varies from person to person.
As a habit some people wear wrist watch. Some do not wear at all.
In olden days and now also each and every home has a wall clock. Now most of the labs too have wall clocks. So no need to wear a wrist watch. People glance at that and do things.
If you have a radio or TV set at home no need of wall clock or wrist watch also.
I always sit in front of Laptop/ or system in office so no need of a wrist watch. While working in the lab take help of cellphone.
This is smartphone era if you have that whenever you need you can see and find out and do your things.
Mary C R Wilson
Thank you, Mary, for your comment. Since I am also emeritus, I have very similar feelings as you describe them. That creates connectedness.
Jetty Ramadevi
That's a good answer for our discussion, Jetty, and I thank you for that. I had my expectation with this question far too much related to my own culture and find it very helpful if you experience certain self-evident things in our lives a little differently than I assumed.
On the one hand, there is the fact that many people don't wear a watch at all, be it that they can't afford a watch, be it that they read the time from their mobile phone or laptop when they are dependent on these devices all day long, be it at work or in their free time.
My wife, for example, has never worn a watch for many decades. She works a lot, but doesn't like cell phones and laptops. She used to have very own children, who had to be punctual, in school for example, there she put an alarm clock and a wall clock somewhere. I always have a wristwatch myself. Because even in the past, I used to take "time out" for sports or relaxation, but those were tight schedules, so I had to know exactly when the beginning and end were. And so did lectures and lectures.
I wanted to add that I used to think that people who could live without a watch (wristwatch) are happier because they have a self-determined time management and are not influenced by stress. Like my wife, for example. But when I learn that a wristwatch is no longer necessary because you are only sitting at your computer or using your mobile phone day and night anyway, the stress may be even worse than if you keep looking at the wristwatch.
I can not see a relationship between time and happiness: we can live happily at all times and conditions if we have a feeling of satisfaction
Afraa Ibrahim
Thank you for your challenging comment, dear Afra. Of course, you are right, in the full sense. Beginning with the winged word "time is money" by Benjamin Franklin - from 1748 - the world of capitalism and modern progress has made time a precious commodity. You suggest that every free human being can decide for himself how to deal with time. This seems to be true, theoretically. But practically there are to consider some further factors.
In fact, the person who experiences satisfaction in the process is to be called happy. But in the modern age a paradox has arisen which is also a fundamental problem of our life. The more successful we are, the more time we lack. It is said that time has become "a precious commodity".
If you consider that technological progress has created devices that save time, such as computers, mobile phones and online services, then this is a contradiction in terms. Because in the past there was not so much stress in everyday life at work and in the family. That's why I think your contribution is important.
@Hein I do not think and agree that people who wear wrist watch feel stress. Not at all. Stress depends on mind set. One thing those who manage things in time no need to feel stress at all. Some of the items/things recorded in mind (circadian), for e.g. everyday at particular time I get up no need of watch or alarm, if you check time it show same everyday. Once upon a time wearing watch was a status symbol now nobody cares.
Jetty Ramadevi
Dear Jetty, I am pleased by such a strong statement. My experience is: Of course, the wrist watch reduces the stress of people, who are very unhappy and stressed without their watch - and no other quick access to getting current time. But I feel a little stressed because I constantly look at the watch when I carry it with me, whether as a wristwatch or as information from mobile phone or computer. My wife is much less stressed without a watch (I think she's an exception), she thinks I'm stressed when I keep looking at the watch at work because there are so many things to do at once.
I usually wear a wristwatch while I am lecturing in a class. However, I look at it not so often. Having a well-planned timeline and good time management come with experience.
Yes, of course that's true, Hassan, I know that from my previous lectures. Nevertheless, I admire people who somehow get along without direct access to the clock and do a lot. My wife, who used to have to make sure the children went to school on time, only had an alarm clock and a kitchen clock on the wall.
But she was never stressed. I always admired that. Perhaps women are more predestined not to be dependent on a watch, but to handle time with confidence. That would be an interesting research task.
Hein of course if you wear watch automatically nod at hand to check time, I think that is normal. Not because of stress. But if you need to catch the bus or need to finish some work by certain time obviously we nod at watch frequently and feel a bit hurry (as per you stress). I repeat stress is based on time management. If you are able to do your things as per time or before the deadline any person is damn cool and relax otherwise full of tension/stress what not!!!
Jetty Ramadevi
Thanks, Jetty, for your last comment. I have the good feeling that we agree well in our opinion. From my point of view, you argue very correctly, but from time to time I try to question the self-evident.
Best, Hein
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