Comments on: Metric Schmetric: We Will Resist! http://www.neatorama.com/2007/07/07/metric-schmetric-we-will-resist/ The Neat Side of the Web Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:42:15 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: fluff http://www.neatorama.com/2007/07/07/metric-schmetric-we-will-resist/comment-page-1/#comment-148149 fluff Mon, 09 Jul 2007 09:37:43 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/07/07/metric-schmetric-we-will-resist/#comment-148149 In germany there is no such thing as pint. It's called "Mass". In germany there is no such thing as pint. It’s called “Mass”.

]]> By: DCer http://www.neatorama.com/2007/07/07/metric-schmetric-we-will-resist/comment-page-1/#comment-147919 DCer Mon, 09 Jul 2007 03:43:03 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/07/07/metric-schmetric-we-will-resist/#comment-147919 I am in the US and we use metric "often." It is displayed on almost all our food packaging, for instance, and is displayed on almost all scales and other info. You rarely see signs in metric, but you ALWAYS see wrench sizes and hardware lengths in metric. Almost all rulers and measuring tapes are in both. I think the issue is that if it's not on the highway signs or on gas station signs people think it's not used. But I mean, do you order a PINT in the UK? Or Germany? umm, yes, you do. I am in the US and we use metric “often.” It is displayed on almost all our food packaging, for instance, and is displayed on almost all scales and other info. You rarely see signs in metric, but you ALWAYS see wrench sizes and hardware lengths in metric. Almost all rulers and measuring tapes are in both. I think the issue is that if it’s not on the highway signs or on gas station signs people think it’s not used.

But I mean, do you order a PINT in the UK? Or Germany? umm, yes, you do.

]]> By: tom b http://www.neatorama.com/2007/07/07/metric-schmetric-we-will-resist/comment-page-1/#comment-147504 tom b Sun, 08 Jul 2007 20:21:50 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/07/07/metric-schmetric-we-will-resist/#comment-147504 The thing that annoys me: I haven't seen ANY progress towards metric in the US in, like, 30 years. I think it's one of things that perenially never gets any funding from Congress. The thing that annoys me: I haven’t seen ANY progress towards metric in the US in, like, 30 years. I think it’s one of things that perenially never gets any funding from Congress.

]]> By: Jimmy http://www.neatorama.com/2007/07/07/metric-schmetric-we-will-resist/comment-page-1/#comment-147380 Jimmy Sun, 08 Jul 2007 16:57:16 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/07/07/metric-schmetric-we-will-resist/#comment-147380 wow what a boring thread! does it really matter? wow what a boring thread! does it really matter?

]]> By: Dusty http://www.neatorama.com/2007/07/07/metric-schmetric-we-will-resist/comment-page-1/#comment-147182 Dusty Sun, 08 Jul 2007 12:44:12 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/07/07/metric-schmetric-we-will-resist/#comment-147182 "They’re the only three countries in the whole world that do not use the metric system" The United States uses metric. It's just not used exclusively. “They’re the only three countries in the whole world that do not use the metric system”

The United States uses metric. It’s just not used exclusively.

]]> By: fluff http://www.neatorama.com/2007/07/07/metric-schmetric-we-will-resist/comment-page-1/#comment-147063 fluff Sun, 08 Jul 2007 10:05:02 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/07/07/metric-schmetric-we-will-resist/#comment-147063 There was a time when scientists had to be able to convert units from 3 (!) different systems. In the SI system simply all fits together. That is the reason why I absolutely cannot understand why people still use anything other than the SI system. I guess it's just lack of flexibility... There was a time when scientists had to be able to convert units from 3 (!) different systems. In the SI system simply all fits together. That is the reason why I absolutely cannot understand why people still use anything other than the SI system. I guess it’s just lack of flexibility…

]]> By: BikerRay http://www.neatorama.com/2007/07/07/metric-schmetric-we-will-resist/comment-page-1/#comment-147057 BikerRay Sun, 08 Jul 2007 09:53:26 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/07/07/metric-schmetric-we-will-resist/#comment-147057 Don't US-made vehicles use metric fasteners? How about military equipment? And in Canada, Imperial usage is heavily biased towards "older" generations... ask a teen what a mile is, and see what response you get. Wood is largely Imperial sized, though plywood thickness is metric. Officially, anyway, I believe. Don’t US-made vehicles use metric fasteners? How about military equipment?
And in Canada, Imperial usage is heavily biased towards “older” generations… ask a teen what a mile is, and see what response you get.
Wood is largely Imperial sized, though plywood thickness is metric. Officially, anyway, I believe.

]]> By: Alex http://www.neatorama.com/2007/07/07/metric-schmetric-we-will-resist/comment-page-1/#comment-146918 Alex Sun, 08 Jul 2007 06:14:38 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/07/07/metric-schmetric-we-will-resist/#comment-146918 Well, I don't count in duodecimal, so the imperial system is a little inconvenient in terms of conversion. Well, I don’t count in duodecimal, so the imperial system is a little inconvenient in terms of conversion.

]]> By: marco http://www.neatorama.com/2007/07/07/metric-schmetric-we-will-resist/comment-page-1/#comment-146833 marco Sun, 08 Jul 2007 04:41:25 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/07/07/metric-schmetric-we-will-resist/#comment-146833 There are benefits to the imperial system. Ever try to build a house in metric? Due to our tendency towards symmetry and certain proportions, the foot is a nifty system for dividing into halves, thirds, and quarters, and the precision of the fractional inches is accurate enough for most work. Over time these dimensions may too be absorbed, but I think there will always be domains where imperial units will continue to preside for practical sake. There are benefits to the imperial system. Ever try to build a house in metric? Due to our tendency towards symmetry and certain proportions, the foot is a nifty system for dividing into halves, thirds, and quarters, and the precision of the fractional inches is accurate enough for most work. Over time these dimensions may too be absorbed, but I think there will always be domains where imperial units will continue to preside for practical sake.

]]> By: Dave http://www.neatorama.com/2007/07/07/metric-schmetric-we-will-resist/comment-page-1/#comment-146775 Dave Sun, 08 Jul 2007 03:08:13 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/07/07/metric-schmetric-we-will-resist/#comment-146775 What <i>is</i> the problem with the non-metric system anyway, and why do so many people get their underwear so bundled by it? True, some of the measures are a bit obscure and require a little memorization... It's really not that difficult for moderately intelligent people. Guess the metric system is for those who are not? ;o) What is the problem with the non-metric system anyway, and why do so many people get their underwear so bundled by it? True, some of the measures are a bit obscure and require a little memorization… It’s really not that difficult for moderately intelligent people. Guess the metric system is for those who are not? ;o)

]]> By: ted http://www.neatorama.com/2007/07/07/metric-schmetric-we-will-resist/comment-page-1/#comment-146770 ted Sun, 08 Jul 2007 03:01:18 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/07/07/metric-schmetric-we-will-resist/#comment-146770 Yes, the US Empire in cahoots with the Liberians and Myanmarians. Damned axis of evil. How dare they weigh things in pounds! Yes, the US Empire in cahoots with the Liberians and Myanmarians.

Damned axis of evil. How dare they weigh things in pounds!

]]> By: Slappy http://www.neatorama.com/2007/07/07/metric-schmetric-we-will-resist/comment-page-1/#comment-146757 Slappy Sun, 08 Jul 2007 02:47:47 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/07/07/metric-schmetric-we-will-resist/#comment-146757 Hiking in NY state, all my maps were in metric, as supplied by the DEC. There are branches of the US government that do use metric. Hiking in NY state, all my maps were in metric, as supplied by the DEC. There are branches of the US government that do use metric.

]]> By: Mickie Bitsko http://www.neatorama.com/2007/07/07/metric-schmetric-we-will-resist/comment-page-1/#comment-146646 Mickie Bitsko Sun, 08 Jul 2007 01:44:11 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/07/07/metric-schmetric-we-will-resist/#comment-146646 Its appropriate that the the US Empire uses the measurement system of the former British Empire. Its appropriate that the the US Empire uses the measurement system of the former British Empire.

]]> By: Britt http://www.neatorama.com/2007/07/07/metric-schmetric-we-will-resist/comment-page-1/#comment-146582 Britt Sat, 07 Jul 2007 23:53:35 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/07/07/metric-schmetric-we-will-resist/#comment-146582 I have a hard time grocery shopping in the States, especially when it comes to getting 150g of honey ham. :( I have a hard time grocery shopping in the States, especially when it comes to getting 150g of honey ham. :(

]]> By: Padraig http://www.neatorama.com/2007/07/07/metric-schmetric-we-will-resist/comment-page-1/#comment-146514 Padraig Sat, 07 Jul 2007 21:59:42 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/07/07/metric-schmetric-we-will-resist/#comment-146514 Officially, the UK uses the metric system (which happens to be the SI - "system international" in French). But, just like Canada, a lot of people seem to have trouble understanding the vastly simpler methodology. Some people just seem to have a hard time killing old, useless habits. Officially, the UK uses the metric system (which happens to be the SI – “system international” in French). But, just like Canada, a lot of people seem to have trouble understanding the vastly simpler methodology. Some people just seem to have a hard time killing old, useless habits.

]]> By: Silent002 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/07/07/metric-schmetric-we-will-resist/comment-page-1/#comment-146483 Silent002 Sat, 07 Jul 2007 21:25:49 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/07/07/metric-schmetric-we-will-resist/#comment-146483 I'm from the UK, so I'll let you in on how it works. Really, we're about half and half. Tempreture: Centigrade, though Fahrenheit is given too. Distance: Road signs will show Miles. Speed: Again, signs show speed limit in Miles per Hour. Speedometers show MPH, with KPH in smaller values on pritty much every car built over here. Weight: Kilograms usually, though Lbs is also available on most food items... Though in street markets, Lbs is still used more it seems. Volume: Litres, though again, Pints is given Petrol (Gas): Litres only, and the price is given as £s per Litre (usually an insane amount :-P). Thats about all I can think of. Oh, ask someone their height, 95% of the time it'll be in Feet and inches, weight will be in Stones and Pounds. Schools almost never teach in Imperial measurements, and conversion rates are only covered briefly in classes. Hope it helps! I’m from the UK, so I’ll let you in on how it works. Really, we’re about half and half.

Tempreture: Centigrade, though Fahrenheit is given too.
Distance: Road signs will show Miles.
Speed: Again, signs show speed limit in Miles per Hour. Speedometers show MPH, with KPH in smaller values on pritty much every car built over here.
Weight: Kilograms usually, though Lbs is also available on most food items… Though in street markets, Lbs is still used more it seems.
Volume: Litres, though again, Pints is given
Petrol (Gas): Litres only, and the price is given as £s per Litre (usually an insane amount :-P ).

Thats about all I can think of. Oh, ask someone their height, 95% of the time it’ll be in Feet and inches, weight will be in Stones and Pounds.
Schools almost never teach in Imperial measurements, and conversion rates are only covered briefly in classes.

Hope it helps!

]]> By: Eugenio Martínez Sierra http://www.neatorama.com/2007/07/07/metric-schmetric-we-will-resist/comment-page-1/#comment-146407 Eugenio Martínez Sierra Sat, 07 Jul 2007 18:59:28 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/07/07/metric-schmetric-we-will-resist/#comment-146407 In the spanish Wikipedia (I didn´t found it in the english) say that in UK is used the... strange system too. Have no sense. And Fahrenheit have less sense if possible. In the spanish Wikipedia (I didn´t found it in the english) say that in UK is used the… strange system too.

Have no sense. And Fahrenheit have less sense if possible.

]]> By: Jack Hynes http://www.neatorama.com/2007/07/07/metric-schmetric-we-will-resist/comment-page-1/#comment-146398 Jack Hynes Sat, 07 Jul 2007 18:49:48 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/07/07/metric-schmetric-we-will-resist/#comment-146398 To be fair, the UK is still pretty imperial. Roads are miles and yards, weight is stones and pounds, height is feet and inches. Although most things are quoted in both. I can't understand why we can't just modernise... there is NO benefit for the imperial system. To be fair, the UK is still pretty imperial. Roads are miles and yards, weight is stones and pounds, height is feet and inches. Although most things are quoted in both.

I can’t understand why we can’t just modernise… there is NO benefit for the imperial system.

]]> By: linty http://www.neatorama.com/2007/07/07/metric-schmetric-we-will-resist/comment-page-1/#comment-146349 linty Sat, 07 Jul 2007 18:35:19 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/07/07/metric-schmetric-we-will-resist/#comment-146349 as a canadian I can vouch for the fact that we aren't really all that metric. Ask a canadian how tall they are in cm or how much they weigh in kg and their inability to answer will show you that we never completely gave up imperial. as a canadian I can vouch for the fact that we aren’t really all that metric.
Ask a canadian how tall they are in cm or how much they weigh in kg and their inability to answer will show you that we never completely gave up imperial.

]]> By: fluff http://www.neatorama.com/2007/07/07/metric-schmetric-we-will-resist/comment-page-1/#comment-146312 fluff Sat, 07 Jul 2007 18:09:50 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/07/07/metric-schmetric-we-will-resist/#comment-146312 Forgive me if I am mistaken; but what about the UK? I clearly remember the ads for flats were in square feet... Or am I confusing the metric system with the SI units? Forgive me if I am mistaken; but what about the UK? I clearly remember the ads for flats were in square feet… Or am I confusing the metric system with the SI units?

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