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General Category => Off the Record => Topic started by: Josquius on November 02, 2014, 11:44:34 AM

Poll
Question: What does 10 minutes from <<name of location>> mean to you?
Option 1: <10 minutes walk easily votes: 4
Option 2: Just about manageable to get there on foot in 10 minutes votes: 5
Option 3: 10 minutes by bike votes: 0
Option 4: 10 minutes by bus/tram votes: 0
Option 5: 10 minutes by train/metro votes: 1
Option 6: 10 minutes drive with perfect traffic votes: 2
Option 7: 10 minutes drive with normal traffic votes: 13
Option 8: It is about an hour away. Trust no-one. votes: 2
Title: 10 minutes from X
Post by: Josquius on November 02, 2014, 11:44:34 AM
I've just remembered a conversation I heard a few nights ago.
I was at a pub in the centre of the city.
One girl said that she lived 10 minutes away, her friend ooed and aahhed, she had no idea that the first girl lived in such an awesome place, could she crash at her place so she didn't have to worry about the last train?
The first girl was confused. She also had a last train to catch.
Mis-communication, the first girl had meant by train, the second assumed she meant by foot.

I've noticed this elsewhere too.
When I say X minutes away I mean by foot. But when some people at work say it they mean by car.

Assuming no qualifier to make specific that walking/driving/whatever is meant, what do you assume someone means when they say X is 10 minutes away?
Title: Re: 10 minutes from X
Post by: celedhring on November 02, 2014, 11:48:10 AM
Just getting on your car/parking or waiting for the bus/train would eat a large chunk of those 10 minutes, so I'd assume walking distance.
Title: Re: 10 minutes from X
Post by: Eddie Teach on November 02, 2014, 11:50:59 AM
10 minutes drive.
Title: Re: 10 minutes from X
Post by: frunk on November 02, 2014, 11:59:06 AM
I don't typically make an assumption, I'd expect it to be "10 minutes from X by Y".  If the phrase isn't added and the statement isn't clear from context I'd clarify.
Title: Re: 10 minutes from X
Post by: The Brain on November 02, 2014, 12:26:13 PM
I assume that it takes 10 minutes to get to X, by rational means of transportation.
Title: Re: 10 minutes from X
Post by: garbon on November 02, 2014, 12:32:19 PM
Quote from: frunk on November 02, 2014, 11:59:06 AM
I don't typically make an assumption, I'd expect it to be "10 minutes from X by Y".  If the phrase isn't added and the statement isn't clear from context I'd clarify.

Yep.
Title: Re: 10 minutes from X
Post by: Josquius on November 02, 2014, 12:44:08 PM
There is no opportunity for clarification. You hear somebody say it on a voice mail and you can't get in contact with them to confirm. Just what would your sub-conscious snap assumption be.
Title: Re: 10 minutes from X
Post by: garbon on November 02, 2014, 12:48:14 PM
Quote from: Tyr on November 02, 2014, 12:44:08 PM
There is no opportunity for clarification. You hear somebody say it on a voice mail and you can't get in contact with them to confirm. Just what would your sub-conscious snap assumption be.

I'd ignore what they said and look up the place on google. Only other change would be if I was in the suburbs, I'd assume 10 minutes by car as only trifling people would be using that to discuss walking distance. In the city with trains, cab and walking - too close to tell.
Title: Re: 10 minutes from X
Post by: alfred russel on November 02, 2014, 12:55:46 PM
If there is no qualification, I'd assume the fastest means of reasonable transportation.
Title: Re: 10 minutes from X
Post by: Admiral Yi on November 02, 2014, 01:11:37 PM
Quote from: garbon on November 02, 2014, 12:32:19 PM
Quote from: frunk on November 02, 2014, 11:59:06 AM
I don't typically make an assumption, I'd expect it to be "10 minutes from X by Y".  If the phrase isn't added and the statement isn't clear from context I'd clarify.

Yep.

Yep yep.  Totally context dependent.
Title: Re: 10 minutes from X
Post by: Grey Fox on November 02, 2014, 05:20:00 PM
It's context dependent but I would hear 10 minutes drive in non-rush-hour traffic.
Title: Re: 10 minutes from X
Post by: Barrister on November 02, 2014, 06:42:30 PM
10 minute drive is the default.

Any other means of traffic would be odd, so it would be specified.
Title: Re: 10 minutes from X
Post by: Eddie Teach on November 02, 2014, 06:44:04 PM
Maybe it takes 10 minutes to get the teleporter warmed up.  :hmm:
Title: Re: 10 minutes from X
Post by: jimmy olsen on November 02, 2014, 06:49:34 PM
In Korea, ten minutes on foot. In America, ten minutes drive through normal traffic.
Title: Re: 10 minutes from X
Post by: Valmy on November 02, 2014, 06:49:53 PM
In Texas if somebody says something is 'five minutes away' the assumption is they mean 5 minutes away by car.
Title: Re: 10 minutes from X
Post by: garbon on November 02, 2014, 07:03:56 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 02, 2014, 06:49:53 PM
In Texas if somebody says something is 'five minutes away' the assumption is they mean 5 minutes away by car.

When you say that, is it just a way of saying that something is really close rather than a literal 5 minutes? As was mentioned earlier - getting car, driving, parking will likely take longer than 5 minutes for most destinations. :D -_-
Title: Re: 10 minutes from X
Post by: jimmy olsen on November 02, 2014, 07:09:52 PM
Quote from: garbon on November 02, 2014, 07:03:56 PM
Quote from: Valmy on November 02, 2014, 06:49:53 PM
In Texas if somebody says something is 'five minutes away' the assumption is they mean 5 minutes away by car.

When you say that, is it just a way of saying that something is really close rather than a literal 5 minutes? As was mentioned earlier - getting car, driving, parking will likely take longer than 5 minutes for most destinations. :D -_-
5 minutes of driving time.
Title: Re: 10 minutes from X
Post by: Valmy on November 02, 2014, 07:10:21 PM
It is an approximation of driving time.  Like Dallas is three hours away.  But yeah if they say 'five minutes' they mean 'pretty close'.
Title: Re: 10 minutes from X
Post by: crazy canuck on November 02, 2014, 08:10:48 PM
It really depends.  If someone is coming to my office from another downtown location its 10 minutes by foot.  If they are coming from further out its 10 minutes by car.
Title: Re: 10 minutes from X
Post by: Ed Anger on November 02, 2014, 08:31:15 PM
I expect the fuckers to arrive when they say they are going to arrive. Nothing grinds my gears more that late fuckwads.
Title: Re: 10 minutes from X
Post by: garbon on November 02, 2014, 08:39:59 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on November 02, 2014, 08:31:15 PM
I expect the fuckers to arrive when they say they are going to arrive. Nothing grinds my gears more that late fuckwads.

I don't even bother being on time these days. #WhatIsThePoint
Title: Re: 10 minutes from X
Post by: Ed Anger on November 02, 2014, 08:42:32 PM
Quote from: garbon on November 02, 2014, 08:39:59 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on November 02, 2014, 08:31:15 PM
I expect the fuckers to arrive when they say they are going to arrive. Nothing grinds my gears more that late fuckwads.

I don't even bother being on time these days. #WhatIsThePoint

#GarbonUnivitedToTheIceCreamSocial

:mad:
Title: Re: 10 minutes from X
Post by: garbon on November 02, 2014, 08:53:07 PM
I do not scream for ice cream. :angry:
Title: Re: 10 minutes from X
Post by: KRonn on November 03, 2014, 11:18:07 AM
I usually assume driving time unless it's specified otherwise.
Title: Re: 10 minutes from X
Post by: Brazen on November 03, 2014, 11:50:26 AM
It depends. A suburban London house advert might say "10 minutes to nearest train station, half an hour to central London and 20 minutes to the countryside," meaning walk, public transport and driving, in that order!
Title: Re: 10 minutes from X
Post by: FunkMonk on November 03, 2014, 05:38:49 PM
Here usually 10 minutes walk or 10 minutes by metro.
Title: Re: 10 minutes from X
Post by: garbon on November 03, 2014, 06:10:49 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 03, 2014, 05:38:49 PM
Here usually 10 minutes walk or 10 minutes by metro.

Fairly different, no? :D
Title: Re: 10 minutes from X
Post by: FunkMonk on November 03, 2014, 06:22:02 PM
Quote from: garbon on November 03, 2014, 06:10:49 PM
Quote from: FunkMonk on November 03, 2014, 05:38:49 PM
Here usually 10 minutes walk or 10 minutes by metro.

Fairly different, no? :D

Quite.

Though I guess if a place is more than a 10 minute walk away then it turns into "10 minutes to the nearest metro." :P
Title: Re: 10 minutes from X
Post by: Tonitrus on November 04, 2014, 12:40:47 AM
Quote from: garbon on November 02, 2014, 08:53:07 PM
I do not scream for ice cream. :angry:

I'd never be late to an ice cream social.  :licklips:
Title: Re: 10 minutes from X
Post by: KRonn on November 04, 2014, 11:17:01 AM
Quote from: Brazen on November 03, 2014, 11:50:26 AM
It depends. A suburban London house advert might say "10 minutes to nearest train station, half an hour to central London and 20 minutes to the countryside," meaning walk, public transport and driving, in that order!

Yep, it often depends on context or location. For me it would usually be about driving distance. If I do talk about walking I'll specify and say a ten minute walk.