Why is time the same for everyone?

[Destructionator XV]

I was just talking to Ace Pace on AIM before going to bed and something came to mind: we are on different sides of the world, but we both know what an hour is and what a minute is. Of course, we all know a lot of things in common, like written English, but it does lead me to the point of this thread.

Why are hours and minutes universal? Is it just that I haven't seen any other systems due to my contact being all with English speakers, or is there an agreed upon standard for everyone? If so, how did that standard come about, and are there any major nations who do not use it? What other systems were in place beforehand?

EDIT: I'm a fucking idiot, of course there is an agreed upon standard: SI. But I am still curious as to the other questions anyway, especially if there is something like an Imperial measure of time (if you follow the analogy) used in some countries. That shows why you shouldn't post in the middle of the night.

[Comrade Tortoise]

The time measurements are an agreed upon standard. SOme religious systems may have a different calendar, but the microtime measurements are intentionally standardized

[Dark Silver]

my primary question for this would be, why do we perceive time as the same?

Beyond it being agreed upon scientific standard, why does a minute to me seem like a minute to another person also?

Of course we do see some perceived deviation from this at times, sometimes a minute for me will seem longer to another, or shorter to someone else.

[frigidmagi]

We use European hours and minutes for a number of reasons.

1: Euros took over the globe. If there had been a Chinese Empire that touched several continents and ruled over 1/5 of the earth's surface, things might be a little different.

2: Most excalt. Most socieities did not develop an equalient to the second. Sciencist need those seconds man.

[Masterharper]

I'm going to take a stab at this, and keep in mind it's purely speculation on my part, but to me it seems, that when you have something to do time passes much more quickly. The term 'bored' could really just apply to the fact that one's perception of time has been slowed by a lack of mental activity.

Just as stimulation to certain cranial lobes (I do believe this is the term I'm looking for) heightens other senses, at least in the temporary, perhaps certain mental stimulation could heighten our 'sense of time'. While I'm tempted to claim this as a sixth sense, and indeed it makes...sense...to do so, I'm not certain. Barring the fact that this guy appears to be a hack writer (which has little bearing on my point, and his ability to get people to fund research), the little study seems to confirm my point--at least concerning the mental stimulation aspect.

So creatures are, according to the study (and casual observation), equipped with--or at least, at hier states of evolution have developed a 'sense of time'. Don't believe me about it not being human specific? This is where I go -back- into speculation, I guess. I'm certain most pet owners (we're talking mammillian) will agree with me: your pet knows your schedule . My dogs--every dog I've ever owned--gets concerned if I don't get up for work (if I take a day off, or the occasional weekend.). They know when it's time to go pick Lia up from work, etc. They may not have as complex capabilities of perception as good old fashioned homo sapien, but I'm certain it's there.