Why do you still use those strange Imperial measurements in America?

What's up with that?


Do you not think that the Metric System is a lot easier to use?


1000 ml=1l


1000 miles= 1km


etc.


Or is there another reason for keeping gallons, pounds, yards etc.?

Why do you still use those strange Imperial measurements in America?
1000 miles = 1 km? LOL.
Reply:Becase we rock. Metrics are for wussies, and no they are not easy.
Reply:Cuz change is hard for some folk. I remember when I was a kid and metrics was supposed to be coming our way. Never made it. It sorta just died out. Miles are still miles and gallons still pour into my gas tank.
Reply:It's part our sinister plan to conquer the world, bwhahaha
Reply:I guess we're just used to it. Other systems seem harder to us, while the Metric system seems easier to you. The Metric system IS more accurate, and I think Americann schools are beginning to teach it more and more. Its like old habits die hard, you know?
Reply:Cause America RULES!!!!
Reply:We still use imperial measurements in Britain. Mainly to piss off the French.
Reply:Stubbornness really. Attempts have been made to make the change, but people just didn't want to do it. It's sad, and sometimes I wonder if it contributes to the common perception that "math is hard" here - having to deal with division/multiplication by numbers like 12 and 5280 in early unit conversion problems is annoying.


The metric system is growing somewhat at least. Soft drinks are sold by the liter, and everything at a store shows metric units as well as imperial.
Reply:Metric is logical.
Reply:They have been going to do that here for about 40 years. It will be a huge undertaking. They would have to teach both in the educational system for years. They would have to start repackaging everything. Change the cost and price basis. Change the computers, change all the signs on the highways, gas pumps, and on and on. The current system is what we all know and have used all our lives. It would almost be as bad as changing languages.
Reply:I think you’ve answered your own question. The metric system would be a lot easier if people didn’t believe that “1000 miles= 1km” :-)
Reply:The metric system makes more sense, yes yes. No argument there. It's just that change is rather difficult, that's all. I mean, all my recipies are in cups, teaspoons and tablespoons!
Reply:Stubborn...





...Hey, we're in good company though, Liberia and Myanmar are the only other hold-outs to convert to the Système International d'Unités.





We should've changed before the industrial boom of the 1940s.
Reply:We were supposed to do a "gradual" change to metric, starting in the late 60's / early 70's.





Of course, we'd have to change all of our recipes and learn to think metric, but the bigger issue might be land - our land is measured in a county/township/ system that is based on a square mile. While the land boundaries wouldn't change, we'd be re-doing legal descriptions for the next 100 years.





Yup - that's a pretty weak arguement.





Perhaps the best reason is because our legislators haven't made it mandatory so it's easiest not to change.
Reply:Americans know both measurement systems.


Maybe you should too.
Reply:A law was passed many years ago that the US would convert to the metric system within a certain time period and it would be complete on a certain date. The population refused to comply, we are quite happy using our system of weights and measures.





It isn't something we carry over into our monetary system which is all decimal unlike those loons who use pounds and pence and other silly stuff!
Reply:Yes, the metric system is easier, but the government thinks that it will be hard for everyone to change, so they don't. Also foot rulers store easier than meter sticks.