# The US going 100% metric - do we all have to die? Plus: weird measurements around the world! **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 31, 2011, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-going-100-metric-do-we-all-have-to-die-plus-weird-measurements-around-the-world/569666 "2011-01-31T16:56:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2011, 9:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-going-100-metric-do-we-all-have-to-die-plus-weird-measurements-around-the-world/569666/121 "2011-02-02T09:14:27Z")
> [@Koxinga](#): > > To me, metric proponents sound a bit like (what I imagine would be) arguments in favor of Esperanto. Yes, it’s nice to have a logical system, and yes, it’s nice to have the same language as people half a world away. But really, unless there’s a compelling application for it (e.g., trade or scientific measurement), there’s nothing really “superior” in its everyday use. The problem is that hardly anyone speaks Esperanto, but as has repeatedly been mentioned, _the rest of the planet_ uses the Metric system. Which means the rest of the planet’s scientists, weights & measures people, automotive industries, manufacturing industries, etc etc etc. So not really the same thing at all. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2011, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-going-100-metric-do-we-all-have-to-die-plus-weird-measurements-around-the-world/569666/122 "2011-02-02T10:25:47Z")
> [@Koxinga](#): > > …But really, unless there’s a compelling application for it (e.g., trade or scientific measurement)… Trade and scientific measurement does still happen sometimes, so there is a compelling application for it. ‘unless’ is redundant here. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2011, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-going-100-metric-do-we-all-have-to-die-plus-weird-measurements-around-the-world/569666/123 "2011-02-02T11:02:37Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > It wasn’t until I was 17 that I learned that the first part of the address told you the cross street. So if 17497 lived on 8th avenue, their cross street was 17th st and if I’m looking for their house, I can find 8th avenue and drive until I cross 17th st and then start looking. A small thing but a nice thing to know. Not everywhere…😛 ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2011, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-going-100-metric-do-we-all-have-to-die-plus-weird-measurements-around-the-world/569666/124 "2011-02-02T11:12:45Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > Trade and scientific measurement does still happen sometimes, so there is a compelling application for it. ‘unless’ is redundant here. Folks who are involved in trade/science use metric whenever it suits them to use it. There is no law that I know of requiring that American businesses use non-metric measurements. At least, nothing like what we see in the UK, with grocers getting fined for using the wrong kind of scale. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2011, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-going-100-metric-do-we-all-have-to-die-plus-weird-measurements-around-the-world/569666/125 "2011-02-02T11:53:16Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > Folks who are involved in trade/science use metric whenever it suits them to use it. There is no law that I know of requiring that American businesses use non-metric measurements. At least, nothing like what we see in the UK, with grocers getting fined for using the wrong kind of scale. Business have to interface with the public, which is difficult if the public insists on talking a different language. What are we actually disagreeing about here? ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2011, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-going-100-metric-do-we-all-have-to-die-plus-weird-measurements-around-the-world/569666/126 "2011-02-02T14:10:02Z")
When it comes to discussions about Metric vs US measurements, I always feel that the pro-metric side is arguing that the US should abandon our current system and use metric instead. I disagree with this. I do not believe that metric is so inherently superior that I should abandon the system I’m comfortable with. Especially since the primary improvement with metric is the ability to translate units, which is something I do very infrequently, and folks who do it frequently can use metric whenever they want. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2011, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-going-100-metric-do-we-all-have-to-die-plus-weird-measurements-around-the-world/569666/127 "2011-02-02T14:14:45Z")
> [@aruvqan](#): > > Not everywhere…😛 Especially the towns which don’t have numbered streets. Like, most of them. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2011, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-going-100-metric-do-we-all-have-to-die-plus-weird-measurements-around-the-world/569666/128 "2011-02-02T14:30:22Z")
I use metric measurements at work (i.e. cm and mg for length and weight of surgical pathology specimens), and I haven’t heard any gripes from the clientele about their lesions not showing up in reports as being in inches and ounces. I don’t care if eventually most everything switches over to metric. I’m keeping my Fahrenheit temperatures scale though. Screw that boooring Celsius. “It’s 8 degrees out today, how mild.” ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2011, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-going-100-metric-do-we-all-have-to-die-plus-weird-measurements-around-the-world/569666/129 "2011-02-02T15:00:59Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > I do not believe that metric is so inherently superior that I should abandon the system I’m comfortable with. Especially since the primary improvement with metric is the ability to translate units… The primary improvement is _standardization_. We need to switch because there’s a huge cost associated with using 2 unit systems, and doing everything in a system different from all other countries. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2011, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-going-100-metric-do-we-all-have-to-die-plus-weird-measurements-around-the-world/569666/130 "2011-02-02T15:24:49Z")
> [@california\_jobcase](#): > > Balthisar- Google tells me 157.9 gal = 597.8 L, which comes out to 597.8 kg or 1321.1 pounds. > Just sayin’. :smack: Uh, yeah, I skipped a step there. ---
**Author:** ![ashtayk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e68b1a/32.png) [@ashtayk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ashtayk)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2011, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-going-100-metric-do-we-all-have-to-die-plus-weird-measurements-around-the-world/569666/131 "2011-02-02T17:30:22Z")
OK guys…you want weird measurement systems - let us see you top this. From Wikipedia… These are the weights and measures systems popular in North India. There were different system in Bengal, South, and Bombay. The following nomenclature was prevalent in North India during 1940s, 50s, and 60s. 1 Dhan (weight of one wheat berry) = 4 Grain of Rice 1 Ratti = 4 Dhan Ratti is seed of a plant ‘Abrus precatorius’. It is pretty red with a black spot. 1 Masha = 8 Ratti 1 Tola = 12 Masha = 96 Ratti 1 Tak = 24 Ratti = 96 Dhan Conversion 1 Tola = 11.66375 gram 3.75 Troy ounce = 10 Tola Weight of 64 Dhan (Wheat berries) = Weight of 45 Jau (Barley corns) Weight of 1 Barley corn = 64.79891 milligrams Measures like tola and ratti are still used for gold and jewellery…though not very common. There are a ton (see what I did here) more of these in India > **[Indian units of measurement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_weights_and_measures)** > > Before the introduction of the Metric system, one may divide the history of Indian systems of measurement into three main periods: the pre-Akbar's period, the period of the Akbar system, and the British colonial period. > During pre-Akbar period, weights and measure system varied from region to region, commodity to commodity, and rural to urban areas. The weights were based on the weight of various seeds (specially the wheat berry and Ratti) and lengths were based on the length of arms and width o... ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2011, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-going-100-metric-do-we-all-have-to-die-plus-weird-measurements-around-the-world/569666/132 "2011-02-02T17:50:34Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > At least, nothing like what we see in the UK, with grocers getting fined for using the wrong kind of scale. Grocers in the UK can use whatever scale they like, as long as it also allows the customer to see the weight in grams. Odd that so many of the “Metric Martyrs” were convicted of selling the wrong weight of goods. What. A. Fucking. Surprise. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2011, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-going-100-metric-do-we-all-have-to-die-plus-weird-measurements-around-the-world/569666/133 "2011-02-02T17:53:39Z")
> [@ashtayk](#): > > Measures like tola and ratti are still used for gold and jewellery…though not very common. Ah yes, that reminds me gold in Thailand is always sold in “baht” or “baht weight.” What makes it confusing for a newcomer is this is completely different from the local monetary currency, which is also called the baht. In English anyway, at least the usually say “baht weight” when referring to gold, and that is 15.244 grams. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2011, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-going-100-metric-do-we-all-have-to-die-plus-weird-measurements-around-the-world/569666/134 "2011-02-02T18:28:43Z")
Foreigners in Britain have the same problem with pounds and… er, pounds. ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2011, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-going-100-metric-do-we-all-have-to-die-plus-weird-measurements-around-the-world/569666/135 "2011-02-02T18:58:41Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > The primary improvement is _standardization_. We need to switch because there’s a huge cost associated with using 2 unit systems, and doing everything in a system different from all other countries. We still have a free market economy right? You could quit your job and become a consultant; you could make millions traveling the US explaining to large companies the huge cost savings they could realize by switching to metric. I’m sure they have never thought of it before. ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2011, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-going-100-metric-do-we-all-have-to-die-plus-weird-measurements-around-the-world/569666/136 "2011-02-02T19:36:38Z")
While you’re at it, you can go up north and try to pursuade the Canadians to give up all their bilingual standards and go with a single, _standardized_ language–that’s sure to save them some money. And go convince the Chinese to give up their character-based writing system–hardly anyone else in the world uses that, right? ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2011, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-going-100-metric-do-we-all-have-to-die-plus-weird-measurements-around-the-world/569666/137 "2011-02-02T19:45:06Z")
> [@Koxinga](#): > > While you’re at it, you can go up north and try to pursuade the Canadians to give up all their bilingual standards and go with a single, _standardized_ language–that’s sure to save them some money. And go convince the Chinese to give up their character-based writing system–hardly anyone else in the world uses that, right? Insecurity can be treated dude. Or can it? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2011, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-going-100-metric-do-we-all-have-to-die-plus-weird-measurements-around-the-world/569666/138 "2011-02-02T21:52:30Z")
> [@sitchensis](#): > > We still have a free market economy right? > > You could quit your job and become a consultant; you could make millions traveling the US explaining to large companies the huge cost savings they could realize by switching to metric. I’m sure they have never thought of it before. No need, the large companies already know this. Many have already converted to metric. I don’t think you’ll find many (or any) English-size screws in a new GM car, Dell computer or Schwinn bicycle. For other industries, I think it’s the customers and workers who are resisting the change, not the company management. I do wonder if I could get a job as a lobbyist for big companies, and get paid to lobby politicians for some kind of mandatory metric law… ---
**Author:** ![tetranz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a587f6/32.png) [@tetranz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tetranz)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2011, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-going-100-metric-do-we-all-have-to-die-plus-weird-measurements-around-the-world/569666/139 "2011-02-02T22:27:06Z")
I get the feeling that New Zealand and Australia are the only countries that have converted almost totally. Well… I guess Ireland and South Africa are candidates that I don’t know about. I’ve been listening to lots of online radio from Australia about the floods and now the cyclone with lots of ordinary people calling in. I heard one old guy today talk about inches of water but that’s about the first non-metric units I’ve heard in a month. I also listen to BBC Five Live and its clear that most Brits still think of their weight in stones and pounds and their height in feet and inches and the roads are still miles. ---
**Author:** ![SirRay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@SirRay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SirRay)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2011, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-going-100-metric-do-we-all-have-to-die-plus-weird-measurements-around-the-world/569666/140 "2011-02-02T22:47:22Z")
[QUOTE=tetranz] I get the feeling that New Zealand and Australia are the only countries that have converted almost totally. Well… I guess Ireland and South Africa are candidates that I don’t know about. [/quote] IIRC Ireland converted it’s road (distance) measurements and speed limits to metric a few years ago. (on further research, apparently the distance conversions were done years before, while the speed limits was done about 5 years ago) Australia, OTOH, even uses only KW normally when referring to Engine Power, which I think is pretty cool for an English-Speaking country (I think even Canada wimps out and uses both Horsepower and KW, at least the ads I saw in MacCleans did) > [@](#): > > its clear that most Brits still think of their weight in stones and pounds. I always figured stones to be the silliest imperial hold-over measurement - at least use just pounds! And now I learn that many UKians don’t necessarily know how many pounds(force) there are in a stone :smack: > [@Taomist](#): > > breathable water OK, what was this suppose to be anyway (besides a throw-away line in a Seinfeld episode) - a rebreather sort of device to extract oxygen from water? Or some odd idea not worth googling for.. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-going-100-metric-do-we-all-have-to-die-plus-weird-measurements-around-the-world/569666.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-going-100-metric-do-we-all-have-to-die-plus-weird-measurements-around-the-world/569666.md?page=8)