A dimension travellers first question?

Imagine that the traveller in question is, 1: Actually aware that he travelled through to another 'where and when' and if you want, 2: Almost immediately sees another person with clothes that suggest a time period around the early twentieth century (a standard vest-shirt-pants get up that looks machines-stitched.)

I thought a nice idea might be to ask what kind of refrigeration is used... do they have modern chemical storage refrigerators, or do they cut the stuff up and keep it in ice boxes? Something along those lines. This could possibly give a quick (if limited) idea of what level of technological advancement there is around.

edited 20th Oct '13 3:48:39 PM by Theskeletalgent

How about a more direct "Where/When am I?" I would also imagine that the reason why they are travelling would have an influence on what question they would ask.

As noted, the why is a pretty important question in itself. It could be the deciding factor; depending on the circumstances, the traveler's first question could be "Where do you keep your gold?" (Assuming that he's packing the proper weaponry, of course.)

Anyway, here are a few other possibilities — with varying levels of silliness.

• Where is your bathroom?
• Do you have a bathroom?
• Where is your library?
• Can you show me where your leader is?
• Where can I get clothes like yours?
• Is it safe here?
• Where can I get some food?
• May I have some money?
• Will you let me observe you for a while?

There are probably more (and better) questions out there, but I'd like to think these could get you started. Although your premise does make me wonder about the particulars — for example, if the traveler's moving through space and time, does he/she go to places where there's a chance the timeline could be altered? Or is it an alternate universe? Or is it not that kind of time travel? And even beyond that, does the traveler automatically adapt to the surroundings to speak the language of the era/place?

Just a few things I'm curious about, that's all.

Can they do any research before they travel? In cases where they travel back in time,(and not to other dimensions) they could and should probably do that.

The "leaders" name might be found in history books or old documents. When something (refrigerator, toilet etc) was invented and first used can be found in encyclopedias and other resources.

I might be possible to find what normal people was wearing, and the traveler might want to wear something similar. Same thing with currency, find out what they used/accepted and get some of that beore the 'jump'. If it's impossible/impractical to get the currency one could bring some precious metal/jewelry.

Anyway...

Asking for a place to sleep would be a good start. They would point you to the inn/hotel/something, or maybe they have a place. Either way one would see signs of what technology they use and see some of the culture.

If the only sign of civilization is a dirt road and a man wearing a loincloth, one should probably not ask if they have a refrigerator.

edited 21st Oct '13 2:58:11 AM by m8e

Actually, whatever question they ask may be a moot point, if they don't even know the language of the place they ended up in.