Why is the English Standard system of measurements better than Metric?

Question

In the US: What does the English Standard system of
measurements offer that Metric doesn't? Why are we still using it?

The cost of using English Standard hits
us everytime we buy something made or
produced abroad - and every time
we miscommunicate on some project with
non American companies.

Is there any non inertial reason to continue
using English Standard? Any reason
other than "that's what we've always
done."?

Answer 1

We shouldn't still be using it. Metric is simpler.

Answer 2

Bear in mind all standardized measurements are arbitrary. The metric system was based on multiples of 10. The earth was divided into 10,000 units (kilometers) from the equator to the north pole by the French in the 18th century. This was divied down by units of 100, 10,etc. English grew organically from history and commerce. An inch was three barley corns (which are very uniform in length) lined up end to end. A foot was 12 inched because half of 12 is 6 and 6 is an even number. A yard is three feet because a yard stick is easy to carry. etc. Most counties in the Anglosphere had their infrastructure build using English measures. English measures arose out of thing that most people could easily visualized, not a theoretical division of the earth. The English use of fractions also lets a non-native user know capital measurement (inch, foot mile) in each fraction. For example a quarter mile is 1/4th of a mile, even if you don't know how long a mile is, you know if you have four of the quarter miles, you have a mile.
Fahrenheit is also a better way to measure temperature. I can walk into two rooms which are 20 Celsius, but I can feel one is warmer that the other. My body knows it, why doesn't my thermometer know it?
I don't believe it costs anything. It only takes a second to do conversions on any calculator. Not a big chore. Finally, THE CUSTOMER DOES NOT WANT IT. Other counties forced metrics upon their subjects, but I have yet to speak to a Canadian, Irishman or Brit who ever uses metrics in their daily life; and these are people in their 20's. Not just old guys who hate anything French.

Answer 3

The simple answer is: because its there. The English standard system offers the opportunity of having to do nothing to continue to exist. The US is the fattest country in the world for a reason. Do you know how much it would cost and how hard it would be to go up and down every mile of road converting it to kilometers? Once you do convert you've got 75% of the population who wouldn't be able to understand, convert, or use metric. Look at how much confusion Starbucks has caused with refusing to call their cups small, medium, and large. At least those are direct conversions. A 113.40 grammer with cheese doesn't sound as appealing as a quarter pounder does it. It is ironic that the fat content of the burger is already in metric though. Perhaps thats the best we'll get, a mismatched marriage of the two where we only use metric when its too hard to divide pounds into something smaller.

Answer 4

It just is.. the US measurement system makes more sense then the metric system others use. the US system is simpler to learn and easier to use.. maybe someday other countries will see that the US way is better but i'm not holding out on them. Ask anyone what makes more sense " something is 2 feet long or something is ( I had to look this up, cause I've never pay attention to the metric system) 0.6096 meters...?" and they say 2 feet of course.. how does 0.6096 meters make any sense? it doesn't

Answer 5

The metric system is simplier, BUT If you were brought up in the English system, you visualize in English terms. It's called spatial relations. When asked to show a length, say 16", we are able to visualize how long that is. If asked the same question, but in metric terms, we cannot visualize, but must make a mental conversion to English in order to visualize. I am comfortable with either system, but I was brought up with the English system and will stick with it. The only drawback to either system is the ability to visualize.

Answer 6

The metric is the better system to use. The English standard is not a very good way to go, but it's the most common in the US.

Answer 7

It's not better, it's actually pretty retarded. The metric system is simple and easy to use. The reason we still use the English Standard system because just like with anything else, we have to be different.

Answer 8

we americans expect the world to speak english and use our system of meaurement because we are too lazy to learn Metric or another language. and that is the sad, simple truth. besides it would cost so much money to change all the lables and signs to metric.

Answer 9

History and backward compatibility...Inertia

People in the US are accustomed to thinking in terms of miles, gallons and pounds.