Why are Europeans so persistent with the Metric System?

Question

Why cant they just make the switch to the superior, Imperial System?

No sense in answering. I think Unclebeer just won the prize for his insightful answer. Thanks for playing though.....

Answer 1

If Jesus had wanted us to use the metric system, He would have had 10 disciples, not 12.

I'm still waiting for them to come out with the metric clock, we can have noon at 10 :D

Answer 2

The metric system is more affable since it's based on number 10, and every man has ten fingers so calculations are made easier. While American measurement system is based on old conventions, like a specific quantity of wheat, water that is divisible by 10 but with a remainder. While the world is using the metric system it's more convenient that Americans switch to metric.
But the superiority suggestion that you have put can be considered a timely mutation in worlds affair, a phenomena of some sort, and it's prone to diminish eventually, so you better keep your American system until such time.

Answer 3

"Persistent" implies sticking with something that is older and out of date. Many of the units of measurement in the Imperial system, such as pounds, feet and yards date back hundreds of years before the metric system was devised, so your question is based on a false assumption.

The Metric system is the more recent system so a correct phrasing of the question would be "why are the Americans so persistent with the Imperial system?".

I'm from the UK where we use both systems, mixed up together - we measure distance in miles but buy our petrol in litres. We buy beer in pints but large bottles of Coca Cola in litres. We buy vegetables etc in kilos but still weigh ourselves in stone (one stone = 14 pounds). It gets worse when you consider that other measurements aren't even the same between the US and British Imperial systems - US gallons are different from British gallons!!

We have been "in the process" of gradually switching over to metric for decades but most people are quite happy to keep things the way they are.

Personally, I find it's a bit like being able to speak two languages - I just use whichever system is easiest or more appropriate, for example I find working in very small measurements easier in millimetres than in fractions of an inch, but when I'm walking in the mountains I still find it easier to judge and measure distance in miles rather than kilometres.

If you want standardisation across the World in terms of which system of measurements you use then the USA's (and UK's) Imperial system is outnumbered as just about every other country in the World (not just Europe) is metric.

So why can't the US and UK make the switch to metric? Answer: mainly the cost!

Answer 4

Good question..being a mechanic and other, I work with both. It does make more sense...just look at an ordinary tool set..12345678910 or a bunch of fractions ! It is easier to the average simplton to understand. There was a project from NASA where the different contractors contradicted these measurements ! $50 million down the drain !!

Answer 5

no, if you've ever taken part in an experiment or any type of measuring you'd realize that the metric system is much simpler and easier to understand then the American system. "HEY THERE BUBBA, MEASURE OUT 2 AND THREE EIGTHS PIPE FOR ME, HUCK HUCK." The Imperial system is flawed and overly complicated.

Answer 6

Because every country EXCEPT the US uses the metric system, thats why...the question should be, why dont we switch to the metric system, its easier

Answer 7

Exactly. The system Americans use is so simple.

12 inches = 1 foot. 3 feet = 1 yard. 5280 feet, or 1760 yards, in a mile.

What could be better?!

Answer 8

first of all why is it superior? huh? second of all just because it's not like in the us it doesn't mean it's bad , i'm european and for me the imperial system sucks and sounds dumb i mean it's like the guy who designed that system wanted to get complicated , but whatever works for u...

Answer 9

Because the units are multiples of 10 and hence very simple and easy to understand and use. I don't understand why Americans insist on that clumsy system of units.

Answer 10

All systems of weights and measures are arbitrary - did you know that the pound is 7,000 grains of wheat? What matters is convenience and usability. This is really a matter of taste and familiarity...useless to argue about.