Why don't we, the USA, use the metric?

Question

I was searching google for something when
I noticed this site,

http://www.metric4us.com/whynot.html

And it made me think, why doesnt America use the metric system? It is so much easier, and everyone else uses it!
Please read at least some of the site ( http://www.metric4us.com/whynot.html ) before answering.

But if we switched, it would make it so much easier! Think about it! No fractions! Everything is based off of the number ten, not percentages! Sure, our way may be easy for all you math people, but for everyone else, it can be very challenging!

It wouldnt be thaat hard to switch, either! We just teach the current generation a little bit of both in middle school, and when they get ot high school, switch to metric!

It wouldnt be thaat hard to switch, either! We just teach the current generation a little bit of both in middle school, and when they get ot high school, switch to metric!

Answer 1

I don't know, I'm with you though, it is easier and since the rest of the world uses it, many companies in the U.S. that deal with companies overseas are forced to do conversions. Back when I was in grade school we were taught the metric system because supposedly the U.S. was eventually going to convert. I can't see that happening ever though now that I'm actually out in the world, too many people would get very confused.

Everyone is used our messed up system and can grasp the concepts of 1 gallon, 1 mile, 1 foot, etc. without really having to think about them. If someone says something is 20cm then automatically the average person in the U.S. will convert it to inches to get an idea of how big 20cm is.

Cool site by the way, I checked it out after I posted the above portion of this answer and they make great points IMO. My bad for answering before reading but my answer remains unchanged.

Answer 2

Because the French invented it.

If it were really that much more convenient and profitable, don't you think that U.S. companies would have started using it a long time ago? Nothing's _stopping_ anyone from converting to metric - not like there's a law against it - clearly the demand is just not there.

Answer 3

We were leaning the metric system when I was in elementary school back in the early '70's. I figured by the time I was an adult we would have converted over to the system completely, but that has not happened. It's like it's not a priority anymore or something. The urgency has gone and nobody seems to care anymore.

Answer 4

The US units are easier to use when doing the work:

Construction uses US units because the inch, foot, and yard are nice round multiples of the sizes needed to accommodate a human body:

An 8-foot ceiling turns into 243 centimeters
A 7-foot by 3 -foot door becomes 213 by 91 cm
A 16-foot room becomes 488 cm

Going the other way, a 2-meter high room is too shore, while a 3-meter room is too tall.

Replacement parts for existing buildings are needed to fit existing wood beams and plumbing parts. They must continue to be made in conventional inch and foot units so they fit.

Electrical parts must fit into existing electrical boxes already installed in walls, and electrical panels must fit between standard 16-inch stud spacings. And the national Electrical Code, required by many localities, does not allow for even metric sizes of wires and boxes.

Cooking measures are designed to match the size of the standard hen egg. The hen egg cannot be resized to standard metric measures. And the standard cooking cups and spoons are designed so the cook can easily halve, double, or triple a recipe.

Meanwhile, the metric cooking measures are based on weight not volume, so existing recipes cannot be easily converted between the systems.
In addition to this, standard and metric screws, nuts, and bolts are totally incompatible with each other, so conventional parts must still be available to repair existing equipment.

Those who think metric is easier don t seem to see how much more work and calculation is required to use metric values and even-sized metric parts in the above industries.

Answer 5

If I remember correctly, back in the 70's there was a "movement" for the US to convert to the Metric system. Can't remember why, but it was rejected for a variety of reasons. I think the main one was cost to convert, education, disruption, etc. Typical cop outs.

That said, what is odd is that in typical American fasion, we have adopted it partially (just like we adopt things from other cultures). Think about it-- 2 liter, 750ml bottles, speedos in both metric and customary, Metric is taught in practically all levels of education. Most college science classes use metric system almost exclusively. Nutritional info is usually in metric units.

Tools? I have both sets and both are normally sold.
Weather-- alot of times we see both F and C
Tire Sizes-- Metric AND Customary (e.g. 245/50R17 - 245 MM wide, 17inch rim)

Almost seems like not converting is worse than coverting as we end up using both depending on the situation.

Answer 6

I remember years ago it was made law that the US would go metric. As a population we just refused. We were SUPPOSED to do it but wouldn't. We do things our own way here and don't really need to learn another method even if it might be easier in the long run.

Answer 7

I read the site,and am still not convinced.
But I will do whatever is best for America,and if its metrics
that's what I will use ,when and if it becomes the law of the land.I know both systems so its up to the people of this country to decide and tell their government representative what they want and how to vote.

Answer 8

Unfortunately, in US, trying to change anything will run into issues even if it make very good sense.

For example, trying to force people into using metrics will invite issues from disadvantaged community that it is discriminatory to them because they lack an ability or opportunity to learn. Never mind that they should learn, but the first thing they do is to complain that people are discriminating them and they will use anything to prove their point.

In Japan where they made change from old system to metrics more than half century ago actually made it illegal to use anything but metrics system. In fact, the law is still on the books.

In early days, any measurement instruments using anything but metrics scale went into black market. Many people were actually ticketed, fined, and instruments confiscated.

Rest of the world pretty much runs on metrics system. In fact, US is the only country that I know of, in modern society that do not use metrics.

Answer 9

I find this to be simple. We are the world leader, therefore, we set our own rules. We don't have to jump on anyone's bandwagon. Even though all our youth seems to love the bandwagons. Maybe once the youth grow up, they will try to jump on with the metric system. lol Good question, funny site.

Answer 10

I believe America will adapt metric system in the future because it's much easier and it's use in almost all countries in the globe. We are in the way of globalization.....