Christmas table trivia.....

[Ralph Damren]

As we gather with our family and friends for Christmas dinner(s) , the chatting may lean towards the rain, wind, snow, and powerage many of us face  . Changing the topic may help and here are two seasonal trivia questions you can have some fun with :
WHAT IS THE SHORTEST DAY OF THE YEAR 

WHEN ITS NOON ON CHRISTMAS, WHAT TIME IS IT AT THE NORTH POLE 

 (THE CLOSEST TO SANTA THAT I COULD FIND 

[peterparsons]

My answers:

1, In the UK, it's the last Sunday in March.
2, It depends.

 

[Ralph Damren]

My answers:

1, In the UK, it's the last Sunday in March.
2, It depends.

 

You are probably close to being right, Peter, depending on your location.  The true shortest day in the US is the day where we 'spring ahead' and go from EST to DST. The 2nd Sunday in March has only 23 hours.

Above 80 degrees north latitude (and 80 degrees south latitude) GMT is used.If not, all time zone would meet at the Poles - and one could stumble in circles, wit his favorite jug, and celebate New Years Eve 24 times . Peter may be standing on the GM ,while here in Maine, noon would = 5 PM at the North Pole. 

 

[ElvisLives]

Trick questions.

All days are (approximately) 24 hours in length.
Amended: With respect to daylight, that depends on where you are on the planet on any given day. The Summer Solstice occurs (usually) on June 21, making it the day with the most daylight hours for those locations above the equator, and the least amount of daylight for those below the equator. The opposite occurs with the Winter Solstice, which is usually December 21. So, the good news for those of us above the equator is that the "days are now getting longer." For those below the equator, hope you are enjoying your "summer."

At the exact north pole (and south pole), time is irrelevant. It is always whatever time you want it to be. With respect to daylight, you could say it is always noon at the north pole, and always midnight at the south pole.

Lived in Alaska for 5 years in my youth. Distinctly recall going outside to play in full daylight at 9 pm (in the short summer), until called home to take a bath and go to bed. Also recall going to school in pitch dark (around 8 am), and coming home in pitch dark (around 3:30 pm) (in the long winters).
I'm guessing Kalle has had some similar experience.

[Ralph Damren]

DISCLAIMER: If you live in a state or country that doesn't use Daylight Saving Time, the 'shortest' or 'longest' day wouldn't apply. While polar explorers often use time from their country of orgin, the official time is based on GMT. If you are at a Christmas dinner with a polar exlorer, may I suggest, in lieu of time  at the Poles, you may ask to name and SPELL 8/9 of Santa's raindeer.

[ElvisLives]

As Robert Lamm once wrote (and recorded), "Does anybody really know what time it is? Does anybody really care?"

(Great song, BTW. Saw him/them sing it in January, 1972.)

[AlUpstateNY]

Shortest Day: Being somewhere between home, and your football assignment and realizing you forgot your cleats.

Christmas @ Noon: Remember to thank God, for allowing you to choose doing what we do during football seasons.

[peterparsons]

As Robert Lamm once wrote (and recorded), "Does anybody really know what time it is? Does anybody really care?"

(Great song, BTW. Saw him/them sing it in January, 1972.)

However, it is 5 o'clock somewhere. 🍺🍺🍺

[ElvisLives]

However, it is 5 o'clock somewhere. 🍺🍺🍺

Not a drinker, but I like "quittin' time," too. Credit to: Jimmy B. and Alan J. for popularizin' that song (and attitude).

[Ralph Damren]

DISCLAIMER: If you live in a state or country that doesn't use Daylight Saving Time, the 'shortest' or 'longest' day wouldn't apply. While polar explorers often use time from their country of orgin, the official time is based on GMT. If you are at a Christmas dinner with a polar exlorer, may I suggest, in lieu of time  at the Poles, you may ask to name and SPELL 8/9 of Santa's raindeer.

Even the most seasoned polar explorer may not realize that raindeer 'Donner' is Santa's spelling of Donna. 

[HLinNC]

Lived in Alaska for 5 years in my youth. Distinctly recall going outside to play in full daylight at 9 pm (in the short summer)

Not as far north but I once visited some cousins in Montana one summer.  We went to watch the dad play softball one evening and I noticed the field had no lights.  I wondered how they were going to manage getting a game in and he said that it wouldn't be dark until about 10:00 pm or so.

[Kalle]

I'm guessing Kalle has had some similar experience.

Down here in the south (Helsinki) today the sun rose at 9:27AM and went down at 3:11PM. On the other hand in June the sun came up at 3:53AM and went down at 10:50PM. The northernmost place in Finland where (American) football is played is Rovaniemi where the sun never went down from 7th June all the way until 8th July.

Have a great Christmas! We in Finland start this holiday early due to the short days, Xmas Eve is actually a bigger event than Xmas Day - and Santa visits in the late afternoon, so he has time to head over there during the night

[ElvisLives]

Kalle, that’s so interesting to hear. Here in the US, went tend to live in our own little bubbles (well, maybe just me), and are not so aware of how other cultures live. I hope to travel to Europe some day, and would love to include Helsinki in those travels. Have a very Merry Christmas. Be healthy and safe.

[Ralph Damren]

At a Christmas party, a discussion evolved into : "If Jesus was born today,  who would be the three wisemen and what would be their gifts ?" After a lengthly debate, we decided the following....

THREE WISEMEN :
      Joe Biden - A need to show unity in the human race
       Donald Trump -                  "
         Tom Brady - Liked by most in New England

THE THREE GIFTS :
     Gold -Always a good gift ,100 years ago = 1 oz. buys you a good suit, today the same.
      Mini-van - to carry His close followers, a parade of camels would appear the 'circus is in town' to many.
        Free air time- one hour prime-time would allow Him to get His message out on the four major networks.

DISCLAIMER: Your location on this planet may differ your suggestions. Alcohol may have been a contribating factor in our picks.