Why do people not want to show metric measurements as well?

Question

Over the last 3 decades, there have been
attempts at adding metric information to
labels, signs and documentation. Many
times companies and individuals actively
lobby to prevent the information even
being added to places where the English
Standard information is present. Why?

Answer 1

I think there are 2 parts to this: money and fear.

First, the money: changing units of measurement is expensive. Everything that is measured would need to be reevaluated. Speed limits, milage on your car lease, safety limits (e.g. how much mass the elevator can safely carry) would all need to be recalculated. Plus, all the signage and other forms of communications for these things would need to be replaced (speed limit signs, blueprints for nearly every product manufactured in the US, cereal boxes, etc). This would take years and cost billions. Who wants to be the president who spends a few billion of the taxpayers' cash to make the US more like France? (The French invented the metric system).

Next, the fear: People are afraid of things that are new and different. Once you get used to doing things one way, you probably won't want to change it. Changing systems would cause people to make more mistakes at work and home (at least until they became more comfortable with the system), and it would generally take longer for people who work with measurements every day (like people in the manufacturing industry).

Answer 2

Metric is the international standard of measurement. English is a local standard which is actually based on metric measure. The reason why English is still present is because of labelling laws still in place. In the US, this will likely change after December 31, 2009 when the EU directive banning any measure other than metric comes into effect. The US will likely respond by allowing metric only packaging (currently dual is mandatory on many consumer products).

Answer 3

The first answer explains it really well. Just a small addition: I'm living in New Zealand and also they switched to metrics long time ago, a lot of people still won't have a clue if you are tall or not, if you tell them you are 1.90 metres.

Once you are used to the one way or the other, it is hard to change. My car shows the temprature only in Farenheit, so I have no idea what to use for the air condition and switched to the best method: I change it until it feels comfortable. I should learn to convert ... but I'm too lazy. So why should I blame others?