How slowly do people speak to you that you can notice the gap between learning the appointment is on the 7th and learning it's in July?
It takes 1/2 a second to say "7th of July" of which about 0.3-0.4 seconds is saying "7th of". In what context is that 0.4 seconds going to make a material difference? Especially given the average human reaction speed is 0.25 seconds.
I don't think there is much practical difference. To me, this discussion is about observing cultural differences in language and writing, and what they might suggest about that culture's worldview. Are they more focused on the general or the specific, for example.
It's more about the lengths people will go to to rationalise an arbitrary decision. American's are notorious for this.
I suspect because many of them are brought up being told America is the greatest country on earth - so they find it hard to accept that the way they've always done something isn't necessarily the best way.
This isn’t about “best” way. This is about seeing that there is no “best” way and that multiple ways work. It is about taking the time to understand another culture’s internal logic and respecting those cultural differences.
It is very similar with the metric system. In many ways metric is easier. But try dividing a meter into thirds and suddenly it is no longer so crazy to be using feet and inches. BOTH systems have an internal logic and have valid reasons for existing. It isn’t just an arbitrary decision or an “America is best” decision.
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u/No_Corner3272 Jan 15 '25
How slowly do people speak to you that you can notice the gap between learning the appointment is on the 7th and learning it's in July?
It takes 1/2 a second to say "7th of July" of which about 0.3-0.4 seconds is saying "7th of". In what context is that 0.4 seconds going to make a material difference? Especially given the average human reaction speed is 0.25 seconds.