Why don't we use the metric system in the States?
351671
The trade unions (plumbers, pipefitters, electricians) in the US were against switching over to metric.  It would have been too costly for them.
1065632
There are none.\n\nMetric units all use base ten. We have ten fingers, so the whole decimal system is based on base ten.\nThis in turn allows for easy conversions and calculations between smaller and larger scales as they are all done in multiples of 1000 when using engineering units.\n\nSome imperial units have a finer scale than the metric equivalent, which simply means that an integer in the imperial equates to a decimal place on the metric scale. But not using a decimal place does not make it any more accurate.
1151942
Metric system?????\n\nWe BARELY know the system we're using now!!! Anyone who knows their Multiplication Table is considered a Mathematical GENIUS!!!
991346
we are on the metric system. as a child I was told that the whole country would be metric by 1976
1055703
its cuz we are amreicans, we always do things that the rest of the world does in reverse. We dont use the metric system, the rest of the world does, we dont call your football football, we call it soccer, its just the way we are.
576673
This question is miscategorized.\n\nSpecial Education refers to the education and parenting of children with special needs.\n\nThat being said... the metric system (e.g. kilograms, meters, etc.) was introduced by Napoleon Bonaparte in the early 1800's, because he wanted a standard set of weights and measures throughout his empire.\n\nThe English system (lbs, oz, inches, etc.) evolved during the Middle Ages based on common items used for measuring. For instance, the "inch" was originally based on the practice of using from the tip to the first joint of the thumb as a measure for small items.
616595
This is America, why should we use a foreign measuring system? What is the matter with America staying American? Why should we have to adjust to all the foreigners ways? If they come here they should adjust to our ways.
688945
Because most people use England, United Kingdom and Great Britain interchangably. While it's technically incorrect, there's not a very important distinction. England's no more a country than California is, despite the official title.
162456
There is no law. There's only a agreement on length, see SI: The International System of Units (abbreviated SI from the French language name Système International d'Unités). This is the modern form of the metric system. It is the world's most widely used system of units, both in everyday commerce and in science. In general English usage, length (symbols: l, L) is but one particular instance of distance – an object's length is how long the object is – but in the physical sciences and engineering, the word length is in some contexts used synonymously with "distance".
574309
As an Australian I just find it frustrating converting back and forth.  I find the metric system much easier to calculate in, but then that is what I learned.  I don't think it disadvantages the US scholars as long as there are people and/or programs that can accurately convert, but there is a danger that mistakes are made, such as one of the launches to Mars where some members did their calculations in metric and some did theirs in imperial and there was a huge stuff-up.  Lucky it was just an un-manned mission and no lives were put in danger.  Where lives are at risk then we just have to have extra-careful procedures that double and triple check things (including drug dosages) to make sure our understanding of amounts, volumes, distances etc are the same.\n\nIt is also a pain when trying to make up US recipes where your cups are a different measure to our standard metric cups :)
636009
Well, as a master electrician once said to me:\n"They will bury me before I will use metric."\nWe would have to change all of our nominal sizes of building materials. Plywood 4'*8', conduit length 10', etc.\n\nAll of our land surveys, which are legal documents would be out of date as well, and that would be a massive undertaking.\n\nI agree that metric is better, but change is difficult for people.\n\nThe price of a fixed volume of gas does not change whether you use metric or standard.\n\nOne thing I will say about standard measurements is that they factor well.\n\ne.g., 12" has factors 2,3,4,6 which is nice.\nThe 24 hour 60 minute clock is determined this way for a reason.\n\na 120" stick of conduit factors by 2,3,4,5,6,8,10,15,20,24,30,40,60\nTricky, huh?\n\nFahrenheit has a greater resolution or granularity in it's degrees (of integer sig. figs).\n\nIncidentally, The 2005 National Electric Code has changed to metric(primary) standard(sub).
619422
Beacause many people perceive the metric system to be complicated. In fact it is much easier than the US system; it is the conversion between systems that is complicated.\nThe answer is to throw away your inch or inch/metric tapes and get a metric only tape. Ditto for scales, thermometers etc. And just use metric units. \n\nWhen you go to the shops, demand to be served in litres, kg etc. If they moan, tell them that congress legalised metric units in 1875. Only commercial pressure will win in the end.
27647
I like the current system.\n\nFurther more the reason is that it makes it harder for other countries to copy or stuff like nuclear reactors.\n\n\nEngland by the way still uses miles as a measure of distance.
808175
Someone asked the same question and got an answer here:\nhttp://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/2001-04/988615032.Sh.r.html\n\nI'm not sure how accurate it is, everyone seems to give slightly different reasons for why different systems are used in different parts of the world.
902944
England....they predate the metric system, for example a "foot" is roughly the length of an adult male's foot.\nNot sure why we don't use the metric system.  There was a big push to switch when I was in elementary school, but it never happened.
1036261
because americans are afraid to be a part of the group... they want to look like the outsiders/dominators.... stupid if you ask me, especially when both our sothern and nothern neighboors trade and work with the metric system everyday!
372062
Metric. Thy still use the same ones.