On a flight from Singapore
to Heathrow I was sitting next to two English ladies of fairly advanced years (you know the type - leathery skin, thick specs, wearing short-sleeved knitted cardigans), who were having a discussion about time zones etc. They had two things that they couldn't quite resolve: how it could be one time in Singapore and another in London; and why it was quicker going out than coming home.

Well, after 12 hours of listening to this, I eventually said to them that I couldn't help but have overheard their conversation (which they got a bit embarrassed about!) and offered my services as a scientist to explain their problem.

Their main problem was how it could be 12 noon in London, but 8pm in Singapore. I had to explain that the actual time was the same everywhere in the universe, but the position of the clock hands was determined depending on local sunrise. (I left relativity out of the explanation, as I was having enough bother with the Idiot's Guide). I suggested getting a globe and a torch in a darkened room to demonstrate when they got home.

I think they must have thought they were time travelling or something - a Boeing 747-Tardis? - as they were trying to add up the number of hours in the air, and work out what time they left etc, and had no idea at all what was happening.

By the way, the reason it takes less time going east is because that's the way the jetstream goes, so you have a tailwind. That was an easier thing for them to understand.

Here endeth today's science lesson.

Ach, they were pleasant old dears but had bugger all idea about anything other than knitting and grandchildren.
( K2k6 has a proper job these days, Thu 14 Jul 2005, 12:25, Reply)