Informal poll: Fahrenheit & miles or metric system?
Jul 12th, 2006, 01:13 AM
#41
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>...there are only 4 non metric (at least officially) countries left in the world : USA, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Liberia ...<
The USA is officially a metric nation.
It is one of the original signers of the convention.
All US weights and measures are based on the metric system, eg, a yard is defined as 91.44 mm.
See http://ts.nist.gov/ts/htdocs/200/202/pub814.htm#act
The USA is officially a metric nation.
It is one of the original signers of the convention.
All US weights and measures are based on the metric system, eg, a yard is defined as 91.44 mm.
See http://ts.nist.gov/ts/htdocs/200/202/pub814.htm#act
Jul 12th, 2006, 01:28 AM
#42
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>...It has nothing to do with being a Europhile or whatever...it's which is easier to use and understand and makes more sense...<
As I responded to a Danish friend who wanted to know why we Americans still use the old system, "Why do you still speak Danish"?
It doesn't matter what system one uses, as long as it's consistent.
Why is a Kg 2.204 Lbs, but a Liter is 1.057 US quarts? (It should be 1.102.)
As I responded to a Danish friend who wanted to know why we Americans still use the old system, "Why do you still speak Danish"?
It doesn't matter what system one uses, as long as it's consistent.
Why is a Kg 2.204 Lbs, but a Liter is 1.057 US quarts? (It should be 1.102.)
Jul 12th, 2006, 02:29 AM
#43
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24 x 60 x 60 = 86,400 seconds in a day.
20 x 60 x 60 = 72,000 seconds until 8 p.m.
8 p.m. = 83.33% of the day
10 x 100 x 100 = 100,000 revolutionary seconds in a day.
83.33% of the day is indeed 8:33.
20 x 60 x 60 = 72,000 seconds until 8 p.m.
8 p.m. = 83.33% of the day
10 x 100 x 100 = 100,000 revolutionary seconds in a day.
83.33% of the day is indeed 8:33.
Jul 12th, 2006, 02:45 AM
#44
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As I responded to a Danish friend who wanted to know why we Americans still use the old system, "Why do you still speak Danish"?
That's actually quite clever.
After traveling in Europe for so long you really do start to see the merits of the Metric system.
I'll use whatever. It's not a big deal in my opinion.
That's actually quite clever.
After traveling in Europe for so long you really do start to see the merits of the Metric system.
I'll use whatever. It's not a big deal in my opinion.
Jul 12th, 2006, 03:12 AM
#45
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Which system is easier?
Well, suppose you're talking atmospheric pressure. I still don't know how in blazes someone came up with the 'pascal' - though I'm perfectly content to have my barometer denominated in either inches or mm of mercury.
How about the lux - no, that's not a hotel category....
Metric units of volume, I confess, are handy - for dispensing medicines or doing science. And I really don't mind buying milk in litres. (I don't like buying gas at these prices in any unit whatsoever...)
That said, when was the last time your neighbour asked to borrow 250 ml of sugar?
Weight - sure, I'll buy 300 grams of boneless steak for supper a deux. But what woman wants to see herself weighing as 'kilo' anything? (A fact not lost on the purveyor of the scale at my fitness facility, which is in pounds.)
I'll drive 120 km to the next hotel - and note ruefully that the room is only about 110 square feet, sans bathroom. Square metres? Forget it, I never used square yards to estimate room areas. Too big a unit for something usually so small.
But the currency business? No question, for the reason Robespierre gives, please! quote in local currency. Besides, you might as well get used to it. (And PalQ, nobody familiar with flying ought to look puzzled at the 24 hour clock - which is used by airlines the world over.)
Well, suppose you're talking atmospheric pressure. I still don't know how in blazes someone came up with the 'pascal' - though I'm perfectly content to have my barometer denominated in either inches or mm of mercury.
How about the lux - no, that's not a hotel category....
Metric units of volume, I confess, are handy - for dispensing medicines or doing science. And I really don't mind buying milk in litres. (I don't like buying gas at these prices in any unit whatsoever...)
That said, when was the last time your neighbour asked to borrow 250 ml of sugar?
Weight - sure, I'll buy 300 grams of boneless steak for supper a deux. But what woman wants to see herself weighing as 'kilo' anything?
(A fact not lost on the purveyor of the scale at my fitness facility, which is in pounds.)I'll drive 120 km to the next hotel - and note ruefully that the room is only about 110 square feet, sans bathroom. Square metres? Forget it, I never used square yards to estimate room areas. Too big a unit for something usually so small.
But the currency business? No question, for the reason Robespierre gives, please! quote in local currency. Besides, you might as well get used to it. (And PalQ, nobody familiar with flying ought to look puzzled at the 24 hour clock - which is used by airlines the world over.)
Jul 12th, 2006, 10:05 PM
#46
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What measurements Americans choose to use is their own business, but it's a bit ironic that a nation founded on a rebellion against British colonialism hangs on to an antiquated British system of weights and measures with such passion.
Other than as an occasional courtesy I see no reason to express temperatures in Fahrenheit or distances in miles for the benefit of Americans visiting Australia. It's the US that's out of step with (almost) the rest of the world, not us, and they'll have to get used to the fact that 40 degrees means a bloody hot day when they arrive anyway.
Conversely I don't expect people to talk metrics for my benefit when I visit the US. I can figure out that 25 miles to the next town means 40 km.
Likewise I don't expect Americans to quote me the price of a US hotel room in AU$ - despite advancing age my mental arithmetic is still up to the task. So there's no reason for anyone to ask for a local (Australian) rate in US$.
Come to think of it, that should probably have read "because of advancing age". When I buy a few items at the local mini-mart I make a habit of totting up the bill as I go, then having the precise money ready before the young checkout person finishes ringing it up on the cash register. From the baffled look on her face I'm pretty sure she suspects me of practicing witchcraft. But if you've grown up having to add £3/14/4d to £11/17/10d (with halfpennies thrown in just for the fun of it) a few dollars and cents is child's play.
Other than as an occasional courtesy I see no reason to express temperatures in Fahrenheit or distances in miles for the benefit of Americans visiting Australia. It's the US that's out of step with (almost) the rest of the world, not us, and they'll have to get used to the fact that 40 degrees means a bloody hot day when they arrive anyway.
Conversely I don't expect people to talk metrics for my benefit when I visit the US. I can figure out that 25 miles to the next town means 40 km.
Likewise I don't expect Americans to quote me the price of a US hotel room in AU$ - despite advancing age my mental arithmetic is still up to the task. So there's no reason for anyone to ask for a local (Australian) rate in US$.
Come to think of it, that should probably have read "because of advancing age". When I buy a few items at the local mini-mart I make a habit of totting up the bill as I go, then having the precise money ready before the young checkout person finishes ringing it up on the cash register. From the baffled look on her face I'm pretty sure she suspects me of practicing witchcraft. But if you've grown up having to add £3/14/4d to £11/17/10d (with halfpennies thrown in just for the fun of it) a few dollars and cents is child's play.
Jul 12th, 2006, 10:18 PM
#47
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I'm not sure it's passion...it's most likely more laziness and cost.....
Do you have any idea of the cost of converting all the highways to km....even Britain whose highway system is a fraction of that in America rebelled against the wishes of Brussels (I suppose) and has retained miles for its highway system (Ireland has converted)...the temperatures would be nowhere as bad I suppose and I suppose changing weights from lbs to kg will help everybody feel better (I suppose it's somewhat better to weigh 81.8 kg than 180 lbs)....and I just can't imagine talking about a 136.36 kg left tackle on the Dallas Cowboys (it would certainly blow Bill Parcells' mind set)!
Do you have any idea of the cost of converting all the highways to km....even Britain whose highway system is a fraction of that in America rebelled against the wishes of Brussels (I suppose) and has retained miles for its highway system (Ireland has converted)...the temperatures would be nowhere as bad I suppose and I suppose changing weights from lbs to kg will help everybody feel better (I suppose it's somewhat better to weigh 81.8 kg than 180 lbs)....and I just can't imagine talking about a 136.36 kg left tackle on the Dallas Cowboys (it would certainly blow Bill Parcells' mind set)!
Jul 13th, 2006, 12:06 AM
#48
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Cheers for the iconoclasts! Seriously and pocketbook-wise, translations of measurements are time wasting. Errors also occur. The metric system is simple. I like the definition of a kilogram. The weight of a liter of water. A liter being the volume of a cube 10 cm x 10 cm x 10 cm. Try working out a similar method to define a pound. I wonder how many of the accidental deaths in US hospitals are a result of inaccurate English measurements?
Jul 13th, 2006, 02:54 AM
#49
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"but it's a bit ironic that a nation founded on a rebellion against British colonialism hangs on to an antiquated British system of weights and measures with such passion."
We hung on to the same language also (sort of) so what does the American Revolution have to do with it?
We hung on to the same language also (sort of) so what does the American Revolution have to do with it?
Jul 13th, 2006, 03:07 AM
#50
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Back then, after the revolution, there was lots of agitation to declare German the official language of the new republic...boy oh boy, can you imagine how history might have changed if that had become so.....
Jul 13th, 2006, 05:23 AM
#52
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Grew up in the States (Texas, specifically) and now live in Prague (going on 1 year in August)--I have to say metric distances are easier to convert, but I really don't think the temp conversion is that useful for me. Somehow, right now, while I'm sweating it out in my non-AC apartment, knowing the temp is "35" (estimate) is just not helpful to me! Psychologically, it just doesn't cut it.
I agree that, when I answer (and ask) questions, I just use what is familiar to me--local currency for cost, and, get this--minutes for distance! (Is this the most accurate measure? Of course not, but familiarity, I think is still what informs my response style. In Texas, for some reason, we quote distances in "x minutes away." Somehow that works....)
I will say, though, that I've been told by more than one European that Europhilic Americans are much harder on non-travelling Americans than any Europeans are. I'm certainly used to seeing that here! Bizarro, if you ask me....
I agree that, when I answer (and ask) questions, I just use what is familiar to me--local currency for cost, and, get this--minutes for distance! (Is this the most accurate measure? Of course not, but familiarity, I think is still what informs my response style. In Texas, for some reason, we quote distances in "x minutes away." Somehow that works....)
I will say, though, that I've been told by more than one European that Europhilic Americans are much harder on non-travelling Americans than any Europeans are. I'm certainly used to seeing that here! Bizarro, if you ask me....
Jul 13th, 2006, 05:28 AM
#53
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As an American I am obviously more comfortable with the English system of measurement, but as a homeschool teacher and traveler I wish that the US government had FORCED the change to the metric system. When has the majority opinion ever been a good indication of anything? In this case, it was a combination of pure xenophobia, stupidity, and inertia.
Jul 13th, 2006, 05:36 AM
#54
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hmmm, still having posting problems--
meant to add that there's no hint of the Europhile in me or my opinion. Rather, it's a pragmatic answer to certain issues of world trade and travel. As someone above pointed out, the cost <i>now</i> to convert to the metric system is exponentially higher than it would have been had we been forced to change over.
And to those draping themselves in red, white, and blue: just because it's <i>our</i> system doesn't make it right, or better.
meant to add that there's no hint of the Europhile in me or my opinion. Rather, it's a pragmatic answer to certain issues of world trade and travel. As someone above pointed out, the cost <i>now</i> to convert to the metric system is exponentially higher than it would have been had we been forced to change over.
And to those draping themselves in red, white, and blue: just because it's <i>our</i> system doesn't make it right, or better.
Jul 13th, 2006, 09:09 AM
#56
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And it doesn't make it wrong or worse. Just different.
Not sure what the world trade issues would be.
Majority opinion is often a good indication of something--And often it isn't.
Though I don't see using this or that measurement system as a big deal these days, I do wish the USA had switched over before I started school.
Not sure what the world trade issues would be.
Majority opinion is often a good indication of something--And often it isn't.
Though I don't see using this or that measurement system as a big deal these days, I do wish the USA had switched over before I started school.
Jul 13th, 2006, 09:44 AM
#57
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Trade issues abound--when selling anything by the pound--or kilo. For the same reason that the European Union decided to use one currency--well, one of the reasons, anyway---a single system of measurement would make sense for our global economy.
Haven't you ever needed a drill bit that wasn't right--because you had a metric bit and a US system drill? Socket wrenches, car parts, you name it. One system, one set of tools, interchangeable parts, etc.
Haven't you ever needed a drill bit that wasn't right--because you had a metric bit and a US system drill? Socket wrenches, car parts, you name it. One system, one set of tools, interchangeable parts, etc.
Jul 13th, 2006, 10:01 AM
#58
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Historical aside - did you know the Inch was adjusted in 1959 to its present value of <i>exactly</i> 2.54 cm? Before that, it was 2.54000508. This didn't matter much until the mid-20th century, when machine tools reached the level of precision where things manufactured to English and Metric standards began to misfit.
So in one sense, the U.S. has been on metric measurement for 45 years.
Now, if we can just get that stupid Nautical Mile worked out...
So in one sense, the U.S. has been on metric measurement for 45 years.
Now, if we can just get that stupid Nautical Mile worked out...
Jul 13th, 2006, 10:10 AM
#60
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All I can tell you, rp, is that the drill bits don't fit the drills.
(Speaking of nautical distances/measurements, I have done many depth soundings coming into ports on a tall ship using a lead line marked in fathoms . . . not sure where that system originated, either. Every now and then we had to make a new line marked with waterproof tape of different colors. We never measured objectively, so to speak, but always laid the new line alongside the old and measured by similarity.)
(Speaking of nautical distances/measurements, I have done many depth soundings coming into ports on a tall ship using a lead line marked in fathoms . . . not sure where that system originated, either. Every now and then we had to make a new line marked with waterproof tape of different colors. We never measured objectively, so to speak, but always laid the new line alongside the old and measured by similarity.)
