Originally Posted by Kyon

I don't know about the metric system, but can you look at something and be like "This is 2.456 cm"? I dunno, myabe it's just me but it doesn't make sense.

Ummm... You can look at something and say "This is 2.456 inches"... Really I see nothing wrong with either form of measurement. In New Zealand we use both based on what we're doing. Metric for math, science, traveling/mapping and currency. Imperial for cooking, measuring ones height and certain other things such as a football feild (100 yards)

Sorry guys, I'm going to edit and say most. XD;;; I'm so ignorant! T_T;;;

its all up to them. i use the metric system, am an architect-in-the-making, so im actually required to know how to convert from both. XD you cant really just walk in and tell all people to convert. i think it's like telling them to switch religions or something.

Originally Posted by Kyon

I agree that we should convert. But I don't agree with it just happening out of nowhere, as I'm sure, or hoping, noone does. XD

I just think that losing a part of the world's history would suck. Especially, when really, it's easier to measure something with the imperial system. Like, as I said above, the whole body thing.

I don't know about the metric system, but can you look at something and be like "This is 2.456 cm"? I dunno, myabe it's just me but it doesn't make sense.

Anyways, I do think we should convert, but I think that w should also keep the Imperial system.

And the "Americas ego" thing is bullshit. It has nothing to do with ego.

That's a good point actually. I remember my Family Consumer Science teacher got off track one day and gave us a huge lecture on it >__<. It's true that it would take a lot to change our system of measurements. We'd have to ask Congress and get it approved by a bunch of people. And of course, when someone's for something there's always someone against it xD (no matter how good the idea is). I just know there's hundreds of those anti-metric Americans out there Dx

Although it is true that our system is a part of our history in a sense, we still have a lot to hold onto in terms of America's past. (How do you think we end up with those behemoth Social Studies books? =P)

Yeah...The whole numbers are super confusing when I'm trying to do measurements. For math, or even when I'm measuring ingredients when I'm making something v__v. Sucks when the measurements are in metrics because it's from another country >__>. My calculator does a lot of work those sort of days...

I guess we could keep both. I think my first choice is to have both systems, but if not, just metrics would be okay with me ;]

I think America did have an ego at one point or another. Not now, but I think we used to (during the time, right after we broke away from England I believe). Correct me if I'm wrong wheter it was England or not, I don't pay too much attention when we were learning that chapter in our Social Studies books x___x. At this point, I think the reason we still have it is because it's a lot of work to change it. I think it could even take a couple years....Or do you think longer or shorter? O-O

EDIT: The metrics are indeed easier. It goes by like the powers of ten while the American way is weird random-ish seeming numbers >__<

oh and yeah, I agree with kyon that it has nothing to do with Ego. its just some people are used to this and not familiar with that... in my case im used to the metric system, so it would be a hassle for me to convert XD then again, like I said, knowing both systems is a must for me XD *sighs*

I do believe that it is all about ego though; you say that the change shouldn't take place because of the older generation wouldn't understand? "Our way or the highway?" I find that many American's stretch that what we are to many different things from our military action, to the very language that we speak.

How does that make me ignorant for saying so? :?

While I agree that the change can't be sudden, and should be made gradually, I know I learned metric in grade school for science so it's already there. While it may take a long time, I think in the long run it would benefit for a more worldly understanding.

Everything is worldwide now, and not limited to simply the States.

Originally Posted by Darkblack_cat

Ummm... You can look at something and say "This is 2.456 inches"... Really I see nothing wrong with either form of measurement. In New Zealand we use both based on what we're doing. Metric for math, science, traveling/mapping and currency. Imperial for cooking, measuring ones height and certain other things such as a football feild (100 yards)

No. No we don't. XDDD!

Originally Posted by xX Nightmare Angel Xx

That's a good point actually. I remember my Family Consumer Science teacher got off track one day and gave us a huge lecture on it >__<. It's true that it would take a lot to change our system of measurements. We'd have to ask Congress and get it approved by a bunch of people. And of course, when someone's for something there's always someone against it xD (no matter how good the idea is). I just know there's hundreds of those anti-metric Americans out there Dx

Although it is true that our system is a part of our history in a sense, we still have a lot to hold onto in terms of America's past. (How do you think we end up with those behemoth Social Studies books? =P)

Yeah...The whole numbers are super confusing when I'm trying to do measurements. For math, or even when I'm measuring ingredients when I'm making something v__v. Sucks when the measurements are in metrics because it's from another country >__>. My calculator does a lot of work those sort of days...

I guess we could keep both. I think my first choice is to have both systems, but if not, just metrics would be okay with me ;]

I think America did have an ego at one point or another. Not now, but I think we used to (during the time, right after we broke away from England I believe). Correct me if I'm wrong wheter it was England or not, I don't pay too much attention when we were learning that chapter in our Social Studies books x___x. At this point, I think the reason we still have it is because it's a lot of work to change it. I think it could even take a couple years....Or do you think longer or shorter? O-O

EDIT: The metrics are indeed easier. It goes by like the powers of ten while the American way is weird random-ish seeming numbers >__<

Well, the first settlers (Aside from Vikings) were from Britain. After that it was anyone that wanted to come. XD

Everyone also needs to keep this in mind: America is built up of other countries. Every single country has at least one or two people living here. We still gets so many immigrants from other countries coming here every day.
So, saying America has an ego, yes it is a little true, however, you could also say that the world has an ego by wanting to change us to convert to their standards.

Either way, we don't have an ego because we won't change our main measuring system. I just do not understand what that has to do with ego at all. For one, do you know every single American? No. What is the outcome from a majority of Americans in this thread? They also agree with changing the system to Metric. Shit, I agree that we should learn metric. I don't agree that it should be our only system of measurement. Metric may be easier for somethings, Imperial may be easier for others. Why not keep both? Other countries keep both, clearly. Canada, New Zealand, those two off the top of my head.

Both would be a great compromise, I certainly agree. XD;;

And no, I don't claim to know every American, so I sucede to that point.

I use the metric system since we were taught to use it.
But we were also taught to convert to the imperial system, so that if someone goes by ft& inches for height instead of centimeters, then we can give an answer back without question-marks coming out of someone's head. Use whatever benefits you and the people around you.

I'm still very much hating the word yard though. I can't bloody convert yards, or want to for that matter. And our stupid GPS likes the word yard too which irritates me. "After 20yards, keep left" _!#*)@!&#)!
Shut up, I don't know my yards. Can you say that in km/meters perhaps? D<

yards is not an Asian term therefore I can't adjust to it. Everything else is fine.

I'd really rather use metrics. It's hard to explain any articles that mention measurements in metrics to friends, since they don't get metrics. Plus, it'd be easier for when Americans travel.

It might take some time to switch, but it would be worth it in the end.

Though it really irks me when some Americans claim that the rest of the would should switch to our method, just to accommodate us.

Originally Posted by Suteki

I'd really rather use metrics. It's hard to explain any articles that mention measurements in metrics to friends, since they don't get metrics. Plus, it'd be easier for when Americans travel.

It might take some time to switch, but it would be worth it in the end.

Though it really irks me when some Americans claim that the rest of the would should switch to our method, just to accommodate us.

Well, the world was using the imperial method. XD!

Originally Posted by Kyon

Well, the first settlers (Aside from Vikings) were from Britain. After that it was anyone that wanted to come. XD

Everyone also needs to keep this in mind: America is built up of other countries. Every single country has at least one or two people living here. We still gets so many immigrants from other countries coming here every day.
So, saying America has an ego, yes it is a little true, however, you could also say that the world has an ego by wanting to change us to convert to their standards.

Either way, we don't have an ego because we won't change our main measuring system. I just do not understand what that has to do with ego at all. For one, do you know every single American? No. What is the outcome from a majority of Americans in this thread? They also agree with changing the system to Metric. Shit, I agree that we should learn metric. I don't agree that it should be our only system of measurement. Metric may be easier for somethings, Imperial may be easier for others. Why not keep both? Other countries keep both, clearly. Canada, New Zealand, those two off the top of my head.

Yeah. We have a ton of new people coming to American every single day :3. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Although my opinion might be biased considering my great grandparents immigrated here from Japan >__<.

I guess that's true too in a sense. Because if we completely changed our measuring system then we would be giving in to the egos of other countries. And if we asked them to change, then they would be giving in to our egos. So either way, every country will have somewhat of an 'ego'. Saying all this makes my head hurt xD

And truely enough, not America entirely wants to change. But Congress and such usually goes by the majority votes of states. So it depends what the majority of us do say, in fact. But if we keep both in America, I think we'd all be happy (or at least somewhat satisfied) :]

That's pretty cool that Canada and New Zealand have managed to keep both. That'd be pretty nice if we could do that too ^___^

Note: I'm going to go to other threads now so don't expect a response. Thanks for the conversation about the measuring system though n___n

Being a born and raised American kid, I'm totally comfortable with the imperial system. I kinda like the quirkiness of it sometimes, but sometimes it's just annoying. I like the metric system better, just for sheer simplicity.

I think it would be real neat if something got pushed through to start working on converting. I think a lot of people would be upset about it (cultural pride and inertia and all that) but I think it would be handier in the end to be on the metric system.

That said, I feel no need to make the change happen. If America want to keep trundling along with it's goofy measurement system, well, who's it hurting, you know? There are so many other campaigns I'd rather work on…

hmm, not to sure how much more awesome it is.
But since i do live in america, and just so use to it, would take some time. Especially considering how much of the general population has it ingrained in their heads how to work things as is now, rather than metric.
But meh, they claimed to try it once, and america probably will not try again for awhile.