Picture Credit of Leo Reynolds
Yesterday, I just had someone threaten me that they would buy me a clock because my house has a timeless quality - I do not own a clock. I quickly said that it was bad luck to do so because to the Chinese, giving a clock (”song chung” in Cantonese) sounds like going for a funeral which is terribly bad luck.
I’m not highly superstitious as a rule, but when too many people tell you that you shouldn’t give gifts of clocks or knives you have no choice but to pay attention to these things.
The other reason I did not want a clock as a gift is because I rather like not having a clock in my house. I’ve moved into my own pad for a year plus by now and I still don’t have a clock in my house. In fact, I don’t even have any way to tell the time at all unless I check my mobile phone.
I don’t have a clock, I don’t have an alarm clock and I don’t wear watches (unless I remember to do so). My mobile phone wakes me in the morning and on days when I misplace it or forget to bring it home from the office, I have no way of knowing when to get up in the morning! So, on those days, I drag out my house phone, plug it in for the day and request that my siblings or friends give me a morning call.
My dad keeps threatening to get my a clock but I refuse every time because I rather like the timeless quality I have at home. There is no tick tock or chime warning me that time is flowing by; and times like these I’m rather grateful for the nearby surau (mosque) because the regular call to prayer gives me a rough idea of the time of day.
I don’t wear watches because I kept meaning to replace my watches’ batteries but later forgot. That said, I usually make it on time for most appointments so after a while, it did not matter to me anymore whether I had the time on my wrist or not.
After more than a year, I’m pretty happy with the lack of a timepiece in my house and on my wrist and I will probably keep it that way. How about you? Can you get by without a time piece reminding you of the time passing by?
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11 comments ↓
Finally, I’ve found somebody who understands me!
I honestly feel that clocks, watches and timepieces are obsolete because digital clocks have become ubiquitous. I can always tell the time by looking at my phone, my car dashboard, my TV or my computer.
My wife always asks me, “if you don’t have those things, then how?”
I always reply, “then I ask you lor ♥♥ ”
In fact, I’ve found a sense of freedom when I don’t live life according to my clock. We should declare a ‘watch-free’ day or something.
I also got no clock except for the time on the vcr, oven, microwave & phone. GAWD! I’ve got too many time machines!
actually i think it’s a great idea not to have a clock at home….we remove our watches on vacation but never thought to do that at home too
My IKEA clock died on me recently, and I am still grieving. . . So I am clockless now.
Well, you’re the right opposite of my dad who maintains three different time zones in the house. The hall clock is faster by 15 min, but the kitchen clock is slower by 5min and the dining room clock is faster by 10min. (Apa benda??!??)
That’s why I always wear my watch at home, so that I can just glance at my wrist and get the right time without having to think whether I should subtract or add minutes to the time shown by the clock.
I like to know my time at the exact seconds of the day. But funnily, I still keep running late on most of the events of my life. So I might need to do what you do. Don’t know the time, but never late.
That is a very interesting concept of life. Now if only we can live cellphone-less. That would be fabulous for me!
I go watchless all the time too! That’s what laptops, cars and handphones are for. Teehee!
Adino: Hurray! I never thought about it in a philosophical sense though. I just never bought a clock because I never found one I liked haha… But yes, watch free day!
Wuching: Ya there are already so many clocks around us, who needs another?
Kimberlycun: Ah yep! Vacation everyday!
LB: Grieve away. You’ll get over your loss I’m sure…
Cheesey: haha… that’s like living in 3 different time zones!
Andie: I’m running late on events in my life, but I’m getting by with appointments. There are other clocks available so I dont see the point of one main clock
Rinnah: You said it!
I always go watchless during the weekends. But I wear a watch to work. I have a few clocks at home, which I refer to for the time off and on, but I do think I can live without them. One of my clocks died on me the other day, and we made did without it for weeks on end.
I usually don’t wear a watch at work ‘cos I look at the time on my desktop (plus the watch knocks against the keyboard ler…). don’t think I can not look at the time for too long!
I give you sun dial, can?
GT: Its amazing how well one can cope without the time
May: yay for sundials!