Will America Ever Go Metric?

[DevilHunter04]

I really wish we would. When I was in high school my geometry teacher said our kids would be learning the metric system by the time their in school, but that's what my mom was told when she was a kid too. Pretty much all other countries use the metric system except for us, it's kind of embrassing. Sure, it would be hard to learn at first but after awhile you'd get use to it. Plus, for people here that want to travel you're going to need to use the metric system since that's what everyone else knows.

[SaintKat]

Not sure when NZ converted, some time around the 60's maybe? I have a few conversion site bookmarks in the meantime for when I'm talking to US folks.

[Sinestra]

Originally Posted by DevilHunter04

I really wish we would. When I was in high school my geometry teacher said our kids would be learning the metric system by the time their in school, but that's what my mom was told when she was a kid too. Pretty much all other countries use the metric system except for us, it's kind of embrassing. Sure, it would be hard to learn at first but after awhile you'd get use to it. Plus, for people here that want to travel you're going to need to use the metric system since that's what everyone else knows.

I dont really understand why it would be embarrassing. A pain in the butt and inconvenient at timesyes. I have traveled a lot and iv never felt embarrassed about the system the US uses.

[Sinestra]

Originally Posted by TheLastFortnight

Well, I think the American people should adopt the metric system after all, it'll make things easier for both sides, even though it will take some time for them to get used to it.

I mean we're all speaking English for their convenience, right? And there many elements and aspects of the American culture embraced by other countries so I think they should give something up too.

I don't even know what to say to majority of your comments. American culture is a blend of almost every culture on the planet thats what America is thats what its foundation is and one of the most important facts which it is built on. You would be hard pressed to find any country that has embraced as many cultures as the US. Hence the name "Melting Pot"

English is taught in many primary schools in numerous countries because it was universally acknowledge as the language of commerce, no one forces another nation to make its people learn English. Over time i am sure it will change as other economic powers come into their own its been proven that having one language of commerce makes trade and business easier it just so happens to be English right now. So i don't see how learning another language be it Japanese, French or English can be for an entire countries convenience.

I dont get this reasoning of "give up something too" comment. Every country decides on a system that they feel is best for their people whether it be health care, social security, education, immigration and just social structure in general. I don't see why a country should have to give up something as you put it. A better choice would be an integration into an already established system giving the people the best of both worlds. Would you ask a country to give up eating a certain type of food just because citizens of other countries dont like it?

[Sinestra]

Originally Posted by TheLastFortnight

I wasn't going deep into the question and you're right about the fact America embraced many other cultures too, but there's no reason to just not adopt the metric system when all the rest of the world is using it.

It will make things easier even for the Americans themselves. And yeah they could use both like the British do, even though it's confusing.

The problem is implementing it. When a country has a deep rooted system that stretches into pretty every part of society changing it is no easy feat. Look at Nagoyankee post about when Japan changed their system. The answer is not changing it but integrating it into the system thats already establish. Which means it needs to start in school and be taught all the way through primary school up to High School and maybe even on a University level over time both systems would be in place it would take about 1 generation to establish both systems but then comes the problem of changing all sorts of elements in society such (Speed limits) which would take longer. I agree with how the British do it.

[Ryzorian]

Well, hmmmm. Because MPH sounds cooler than KPH? Honestly, it's prolly nothing more than that. Wich sounds dumb I admit, but is so typically American.

I have a basic understanding of metrics, so I at least have an idea what people are talking about when they use metrics. Allthough it's still fun to stare blankly at them cause it drives them nuts.

Americans have this burning desire to be different... we also have this burning desire to make everyone else on earth like us...the irony is not lost on me here. Still, American's are made, not born..so technically..anyone can become an American.

[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]

Originally Posted by 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.