Readers Respond: Daylight Saving Time Confusion

Responses: 164

By Matt Rosenberg, About.com Guide

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When the time changes twice a year, I am either early or late for work. I hate that. I live on my own and never hear anything about changing the time when it is time to do so, and I don't ever think about it. When I'm late, I'm embarrassed and in trouble. When I'm early, I'm wishing I had gotten an extra hour of sleep. This confusion really needs to end. I doubt it really saves any money. Businesses are still open the same amount of hours whether it is light or dark, and they have their lights on even when the sun is out.
—Guest alyssa

Keeping it light later brings people outside in the evening after a long days work. Do we really need people in front of the boob tube rather than out talking to their neighbors. There is also a benefit in that kids are less likely to vandalize when it is light out and people can see what they are doing. As for the people complaining about the governmental control....stop whining.
—Guest Steve

What is wrong with wanting longer days (after work) in the summer months? I guess i am the only one who likes to go outside.
—Guest bill

I don't like daylight saving time (I guess I'm in the minority here). In the spring, when we set our clocks ahead, I become depressed and ornery until about the end of May, when I start to anticpate the days getting shorter. By July, I do enjoy the after-dinner sunlight and activities available, but I am much happier when we set the clocks back in the fall and there is more time to enjoy the moon and stars in the evening.
—tallfire2016

I live in a section of Indiana that did not change times and thus when our govenor decided to make the change, they were able to do a studya and see it does NOT save $$. It costs $$ and it causes more heart attacks in the spring
—Guest Rebekah

Only Ben Franklin thought daylight savings time was worth while. I mean back when he thought of it, it was just as ridiculous as it is now. We are a 24 hour society so changing the clock twice a year is only for the idiots who don't have lives and need something to do twice a year to make them feel useful. i.e. the U.S. lawmakers. Maybe we should change them twice a year.
—Guest Jim

This was set forth for farmers, why is it always about government intruding into our lives? Whine, whine, whine...that's all American's do anymore!!!
—Guest Smile

In addition to the well-reported other catastrophes of the last Bush administration, this one usually goes unnoticed. George decreed the change to DST, and the fallout continues to plague the international businesses that have to coordinate Microsoft Outlook calendars around the world. The patch, which was deployed years ago, does not work consistently, resulting in twice-annual headaches for those around the world whose calendar appointments are off by an hour during that 4-week period between the date of the original time change and where it is now.
—Guest taxisdaddy

This is one of the most un-necessary procedures we go through twice a year! As author of the TruthToad blog I say - no more time shifting - It is a big depressor.
—Guest TruthToad

I live in Arizona and we don't partake in the silliness of changing the clocks. I actually prefer it. The only drawback is that other people who live in other states or countries who do practice daylight savings time will have to remember that we are either an hour closer together or farther apart when they call, or I call them. That's the biggest pain.
—Guest Rudy

for years I've been saying it's useless and real P.I.T.A. going around the house changing every single clock it's stupid.
—Guest liyorkyoh

I think we should leave the time alone, but if we need dst we should use it the year around and not be confusing in changing all the time
—Guest Maurice

Matt Rosenberg
Geography Guide