# Formatting and parsing dates according to locale?

**URL:** <https://rubytalk.org/t/formatting-and-parsing-dates-according-to-locale/18038>\
**Category:** ruby-talk\
**Created:** [1 May 2005 13:24 UTC](https://rubytalk.org/t/formatting-and-parsing-dates-according-to-locale/18038 "2005-05-01T13:24:27Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Michael\_Schuerig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/54ee81/32.png) [@Michael\_Schuerig](https://rubytalk.org/u/Michael_Schuerig)\
**Post date:** [1 May 2005 13:24 UTC](https://rubytalk.org/t/formatting-and-parsing-dates-according-to-locale/18038/1 "2005-05-01T13:24:27Z")

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I know that I can parse and format dates given a format string. I'd  
prefer not to be bothered with different date formats directly.  
Instead, I'd like Ruby, or a suitable module, to choose the right  
format based on a given(!) locale. Any recommendations how to do this?

Michael

> **···**
>
> --  
> Michael Schuerig There is no matrix,  
> [mailto:michael@schuerig.de](mailto:michael@schuerig.de) only reality.  
> [http://www.schuerig.de/michael/](http://www.schuerig.de/michael/) --Lawrence Fishburn