Why is taking USA so long to switch to METRIC?

Question

The US has been in the process of adopting the metric system since 1975...
...Thats 32 years and can not completely change due to segments of our society that are still lagging.
The metrication movement of America is a necessary step if our country is to continue to do well in the world economy.

....We better wise up....

C´mon America, you can do it!!

Facts-> http://www.gometricamerica.org/facts.html

Answer 1

Because we think it makes foreign competitors have additional expenses when doing work in America as they require an additional toolset. It would probably save the economy billions and make our products more valuable on the international market but we just like to be difficult.

There is only one way to make this happen and that is forbid the teaching of the Imperial system in primary and secondary grades. Sadly there has never been a person in power with the willpower to make that happen as they can barely keep sex ed going.

But then again why don't we go to a 24 hour economy to save on resources, have a universal global time zone to avoid confusion, or just be nice to one another...

Answer 2

The US isn't going to convert to the metric system any time in the near future mainly because most Americans don't want to convert.

I was in elementary school in the early to mid 80s and we were taught the basics about the metric system, but not the standard American system. This was not a good idea because I didn't know how many quarts equals a gallon and so on until I was in my mid 20s.

However, I do think the metric system is easier to use (I was a host student in Europe and it's so easy to use once you get used to it) and makes more sense than our system.

Answer 3

The U.S. is the world economy. It has resisted the change over to the metric system probably for a number of reasonable, well, reasons:

1. It doesn't have to.
2. Cost of converting every scale, measure, pump, valve, specification and so on and so forth ad infinitum.
3. No great necessity.
4. Anyone who needs to use the metric system will, so leave the MAJORITY of the people alone.
5. The availability of conversion via computers, etc., is so well established now that such tools are only a keystroke away.

Good question, though.

Answer 4

American scientists and engineers are taught mostly in metric units. That's all that's really necessary for global competitiveness. While English units are not official for trade in England, Canada, Australia or New Zealand, they are commonly used for everything except temperature in those countries. For example, English grocery stores sell butter in units of 454 grams (which is 1 pound), and all English street signs have distances in miles.

Also, for whoever asked what a stone is - it's an English unit, not a metric one, and it's equal to 14 pounds.

Answer 5

The US has had a metric currency system since it became a country. In weights & measures, outside the pharma industry, and in daily life, many Imperial measuring systems continue to be used. Think about it, maintaining a mixture of metric and non-metric systems is probably what keeps American minds agile, and might help to explain in part why America is so successful.

Answer 6

robert...a "stone" is 14 pounds and is used in British countries.
when I taught school, my teacher's edition math book said the reason we don't use the metric system is because the US was not invited to some big meeting to coordinate its use.

Answer 7

Ha, it will never change. Be happy the money is metric ... 100 pennies make a dollar.

Answer 8

Because we are smarter than that! The metric system sucks, if it aint broke don't fix it.

Answer 9

No.

We've been taught the Imperial System, and it's better.

Edit: And what the hell are "stones"? I've heard people say, "I'm 7.4 stones." That sounds stupid.

Answer 10

it's not necessary, and the past 32 years of not going along with it is proof!!!