Why doesn't the U.S. go on to the Metric System?

Answer 1

There have been projected deadlines for converting to the international system of units aka metric system. Each time the deadline nears it is extended another 10 years. People don't like change. It could be done, but business and consumers don't want to take the time to learn the metric system. It is taught in schools by state mandate, but not really followed through. Metric is taught in science and math, then the classes go to foods or sewing and go back to the English system. It needs to be an all-or-nothing deal.

Answer 2

1. Population used to standard system
2. Too much time and money to change everything now done in standard
3. Congress would have to act to officially change measurement system and they have no incentive to do so since the public does not support a change
4. Tradation
5. For the present the US is powerful and independent enough that the influence of the rest of the world is inconsequential in forcing a change in such a matter.
6. The US seems to be changing to Metric extremely slowly already, eventually it will use the metric system

Answer 3

At least they have always used metric money.

When I was at school in England, there were 12 pence to shilling, and twenty shillings to the pound. Arithmetic at primary school centered around how to add, subtract and multiply when you have a system like that.

Britain changed their currency in 1969, and all the oldies complained like hell, even though the decimal system made it much easier to handle ones money.

It now serves as a reminder of how ridiculous it is to not have a system using multiples of 10.

All those involved like me in introducing new computer systems will have experienced how people hate change. A company I worked for put in a system to monitor and control a railway. The old system was so old that the staff controlled the trains with a telephone and document system. We gave them a graphical display with trains plotted from GPS, so that they could see in an instant where each one of their 200 trains were at any time.

They complained like hell. It was nothing like they were used to. Just a thousand times better.

Answer 4

Not a clue.

We did it when I was growing up. When I was about 10 all the schools pushed it. Then all food boxes had double measurements, as did road signs, gas pumps, etc. Slowly these were phased out when next replacement came due. Now I'm bilingual with measurements, my 8-year younger brother only knows metric, and Mom mostly uses imperial. But give here a measuring cup with both scales and off she goes no problem.
Just do it. It'll work out and won't be near as painful as so many say as long as you phase it in and keep both measurements on public items for ~10years.
It is easier.
I like how the numbers klick by faster when your driving - feels like you're getting somewhere quicker.

Answer 5

We're stuck. Think of all of the interchangable bolts, screws, nuts, etc. that still have to be produced for existing structures and things long after they have been made. It would cost billions to change all of the street signs. Old people think it's the devil. People in Kentucky don't get it. Even though the metric system is far superior, changing over would be like stopping the teacup ride at Disney and watching all of the people fly out.

Answer 6

how do you "go" on the metric system

the metric system is taught in all public schools

lots of science and engineering books use it exclusively

but if people don't want to adopt it, you can't make them
at least in the U.S. you can't make them

what is the incentive?
why would most people be interested in changing?
how would you convince them to change?

Answer 7

Because it s a uniform standard which makes the density of water is 1.

Answer 8

#1 Americans are lazy and change is something they don't do well.
#2 Americans tend to hold traditional values, they dont like to try new things, because in their mind, the old way is the best way.

Answer 9

because the U.S. is too proud to do that.. since i mean, a mile is like.... twice the length of one of your Bloody kilometers! and a gallon is at least 3.89 litres!!!

although it would help out the kids in math, less conversions = less chances of screwing up some simple algebra!! haha

Answer 10

Because we are the best nation in the world and should retain our individuality and not condescend to use the same system of measurement as the other nations. ;-)