Will America Ever Go Metric?

[lizzey]

I hope America goes to metric is much easier in my opinion. I don't like the fact that America is the only country that has not adopted the metric system. I find it very useful in daily life and in math.

[peterv20]

yeah,when england goes metric.

[komitsuki]

USA decimalized their currency long time ago. Why can't USA "decimailize" (using metric system) their measures?

It's ironic. USA promotes ANSI (American National Standards Institute) set of standardizations around the world but it can't do the opposite.

[Pike]

最初の投稿者：Nagoyankee

This issue has been bugging me for many years. I almost need a shrink.

I've been talking to many people from around the world in several languages on the Internet. Before the Internet, I had done so using snail mail. In real life, the majority of the non-Japanese people I've spoken to have been Americans.

Now, I have to confess that the only people I've had any difficulty discussing numbers have been Americans. With them, I can't freely talk about heights, weights, lengths, areas, volumes, outside temperatures, oven temperatures, body temperatures, etc...

It's always been me doing the conversions, either mentally or with a calculator, whenever we tallk about those numbers because they simply don't know how. I already get busy enough speaking to them in their language. How could they expect me to do all the conversions on top of that?

So, America, will you ever go Metric for me?

Personally I do not think nor do I want us to change. Our founders decided when they freed themselves to be different from the others. As to converting just say it in metric. If they really want to know they will convert it themselves. I have a conversion page bookmarked.

[wriot]

最初の投稿者：Pike

Personally I do not think nor do I want us to change. Our founders decided when they freed themselves to be different from the others. As to converting just say it in metric. If they really want to know they will convert it themselves. I have a conversion page bookmarked.

I don't get it? America's founding fathers wanted America to be based upon imperial units? Seriously though - I imagine America used the imperial units because that's what the much hated British were using at the time. There was certainly no uniqueness in using imperial units back then. The USA's reluctance to adopt metric units, is not a problem, but it's just a bit old fashioned really. The UK has been encouraged to adopt some metric units by the European Union, there was a lot of outcry about it - particularly by old ladies - but really it's been for the best conversions between metric units and metric units is, naturally, so much easier than conversions between imperial and imperial. I say don't knock it until you've tried it.

[Sinestra]

最初の投稿者：komitsuki

USA decimalized their currency long time ago. Why can't USA "decimailize" (using metric system) their measures?

It's ironic. USA promotes ANSI (American National Standards Institute) set of standardizations around the world but it can't do the opposite.

Read my previous post apparently some of you think its as easy as slicing off a piece of pie. Think again and actually think about it not just talk.

[Sinestra]

最初の投稿者：Pike

Personally I do not think nor do I want us to change. Our founders decided when they freed themselves to be different from the others. As to converting just say it in metric. If they really want to know they will convert it themselves. I have a conversion page bookmarked.

I pretty much agree with you

When we have to cooperate with other countries we use the metric system (joint military operations and training) look if you don't want to do the conversion then learn both damn systems. I have not seen anyone say its hard just a pain in an ass which i link more to laziness. "If it ain't broke don't fix it"

[Nyororin]

最初の投稿者：Sinestra

Read my previous post apparently some of you think its as easy as slicing off a piece of pie. Think again and actually think about it not just talk.

It would not be an easy thing, but that is also not a good enough reason to simply give up on it totally. Obviously it cannot happen overnight, or everyone would be utterly lost and confused. But a gradual introduction of metric units into all facets of daily life, along with more emphasis on them in schools would make a huge difference. People aren`t going to go out of their way to learn something if it gives them no benefit in daily life - and at this point, it really doesn`t. For example, change road speed signs to dual, and make the kph larger on new cars... Make it easier to determine things by looking to the metric side by pricing things in stores by gram/kilogram, without removing the option to use imperial units. Just make them more inconvenient to use bit by bit.

[TalnSG]

I think the whole conversion issue is hampered more by tradition and laziness than anything else. It would take considerable adjustment for the American public (myself included), but I have still endorsed ever since I can remember.

It is just plain ridiculous that gasoline is sold by the American gallon, the Imperial Gallon (come on UK, you too!), the barrel and the liter.

Since decimal math is easier, let's just get the conversion done and over with!

[Aniki]

I have the same problem on the Internet. Every time the conversation goes around height, weight or temperature, I always use the metric system, and expect the other person to use the online converter if he really is interested in knowing. But instead I get "how much is that in pounds, inches, etc?" and in the end, I'm the one who ends up using the online converter.