2006-06-13 10:06:32 · 18 answers · asked by get_with_the _programme 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
because americans are afraid to be a part of the group... they want to look like the outsiders/dominators.... stupid if you ask me, especially when both our sothern and nothern neighboors trade and work with the metric system everyday!
2006-06-13 11:52:49 · answer #1 · answered by Jose G 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
America isn't afraid. But change takes time. Most people under 40 understand both measuring systems. 30-40 years from now, the change will continue as more metric is used and less of our current system.
2006-06-13 17:11:47 · answer #2 · answered by Chipmunk with Attitude 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are not afraid of learning it - but when your economy is almost as big as the rest of the group of eight combined, why change? When the world wants to business with YOU, rather than the other way around, why change? When your citizens are used to inches feet ounces and pounds, why change?
Change means money to change over everything. Change is scarey for older people (read baby boomers) who have to learn a whole new system after learning that there are always 5,280 feet in a mile rather than 1000 meters in a kilometer.
I am Canadian and we changed in the mid-70's. I am comfortable with both - but my grandmother never got the hang of metric. Now, when I ask students how many feet in a mile nobody knows....LOL
As to why Canada changed? To trade more with the world and wean our economy off the US - didn't work too well, but hey - we are metric!
2006-06-13 17:10:59 · answer #3 · answered by Musicman1962 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not using the metric system sets us apart as Americans! Okay, actually I'm too lazy to learn the metric system.
2006-06-13 17:08:32 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because we have our own system THANK YOU VERY MUCH, we also have our own system of government. If we wanted to be a mediocre nation like everyone else. Then we will be socialists with a metric system.
2006-06-13 17:10:01 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
We were supposed to switch to metric in the late1960's, but someone blew it. Too many people were confused how to convert inches into millimeters. Our money is already metric and its the easiest thing we have. Too bad for us.
2006-06-13 17:10:00 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
not only laziness, but we'd have to reorganize a bunch of infrastructure. Same thing with the QWERTY keyboard. Same with the English language. It's not the easiest, but it's easier to stick with it, then learn another.
2006-06-13 17:10:14 · answer #7 · answered by sabai2024 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many of us do know it, as we have to use it everyday (scientist). And we have no problem realizing that the boiling point of methanol is 64.7 degrees Centigrade, but that it's 75 degrees Fahrenheit outside.
2006-06-13 17:13:31 · answer #8 · answered by TheOnlyBeldin 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's too hard of an uphill battle to change such a pervasive thing, especially something that doens't really hurt our society.
2006-06-13 17:10:19 · answer #9 · answered by Rit Medeer 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not a matter of fear, it's a matter of comfort. Americans are more familiar with the English system of measure.
2006-06-13 17:18:08 · answer #10 · answered by Cymalon 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋