chrissybabe Loc: New Zealand

Well I don't until I follow a US cooking recipe where I then have to convert from lbs to kg, 6ozs to grams etc. Or when I have to convert a 6-32 thread to the nearest metric thread (actually this isn't so much of a problem, to me anyway, because I have a good selection of threads stripped from old computers). Both of these measurements aren't from any official source but from the man-in-the-street (or woman) which is why I think it is the public who cannot change and not the technical sources.

llamb Loc: Northeast Ohio

If I were to go into a hardware store in the USA and ask for set of metric sockets I would be asked, "quarter, three-eighths, or half inch drive?" What size ratchets are commonly used in New Zealand? I am not trying to be a wise-guy, I really want to know. Thanks.

~Lee

Watash

Using the metric system here, is akin to some Hollywood types using fake British accents so
people will think they are European. All hail the Imperial system!!

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

I feel your pain. My German and French cookbooks are metric. However, volume measuring containers here have markings for both units of measurement.

To convert grams to ounces, I just ask Siri on my iPhone, “Hey, Siri, convert 150 grams to ounces.” It answers, 150 grams is 5.29 ounces.” I write 5.3 oz. on the recipe, next to 150g.

AlanParr

Ahh! But the outcome would have been different without the help of the US.

JBRIII

1. We were pretty far along when Reagan canceled it. At least in MD many gas stations had changed over for example.

2. I find it interesting that no one brought up camera equipment, I have pieces where imperial is used to the camera mount socket 1\4, 3\8, but everything else is metric.

3. My only problem is stripping of small items when you don't know for sure. Most stuff is pretty easy, but I still don't quickly relate temps other than near freezing -40, near bp of water, and hot summer temps. Between say 40 and 90 F, never really know unless I convert. As a research chemist used metric all the time. Also 50-55C is about the limit for holding hot glassware even if it's important.

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

Why?

tcthome Loc: NJ

I have an Ipad & iphone11. Both show the weather in F. Weather Channel app I believe that came with them both. Interestingly enough, usually they show a different temp for my town. Only 1-2 degrees different. I guess it doesn't matter unless it's 32*f out or near the top storage temp of my camera equipment when it is in my truck during the summer.

tcthome Loc: NJ

celsius x 1.8=32 will give you F!

chrissybabe Loc: New Zealand

Funnily enough you probably wouldn't be asked and the sales guy would just assume you probably wanted 1/2". Not too many people use 1/4" or 3/8". I have all three in metric and 1/2 in imperial from when my cars were imperial. They haven't been touched for 15 years. And it is one of those things that is a bit of an anomaly since we have been metric for many years.
I still have trays of bolts and screws in imperial (20-40 years old now and used maybe once every 5 years) and my selection of metric is 3 times larger and constantly updated.
The old 4' x 8' panels were sold as 1220 x 2440 for many years before becoming 1200 x 2400. All attachments are imperial. And camera sockets are still imperial (1/4" and 3/8"). There are a heap of oddities around still along those lines. Pipe fittings are a bit like that also although metric equivalents seems to be what is sold. With a population the size of the US this issue will hang around for years and take too long to change because you have left it a bit late. But I bet in 100 years time (if we aren't covered by a sheet of ice) imperial will be well and truly history everywhere.

chrissybabe Loc: New Zealand

A lot here are dual measurement also. However rulers are all metric. I have a couple which are both and I don't want to lose them. All tapes are metric. The only fluids measurements are in metric. Oil only sold in metric. Any can/jar sold with specialist fluids will probably have imperial and metric on the label but depends where they were sourced from. I use the reverse to you and convert imperial to metric and write that down.

chrissybabe Loc: New Zealand

To bring you into line with the rest of the world. So products will all be slightly cheaper because they aren't making two of them. So I don't have to watch youtube where the authors feel the need to quote one system but have to add in comments on the screen the US equivalent. So nobody has to run with both systems in use and always have to be converting to another. To demonstrate that Americans can change and not be so stubborn and resist it. Unfortunately you have left it a bit late so it will be hard for you.

KenW Loc: Portland OR

Love it.

ragon Loc: Wisconsin

i'm one of those old farts of whom you speak and I'm here to tell you it's not very nice to tell me I'll be gone soon. But until then I will stick with the Imperial system.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

All my tape measures and rulers are dual. Thermometers have both C and F scales, here. Speedometers have both scales, or a push button to switch from MPH to KPH.

I “grew up” on high school yearbook staffs with picas and points, pre-digital, and lived in the era when an inch was slightly less than six picas, until Aldus (PageMaker) declared an inch to be EXACTLY 6 picas or 72 points, around 1985.

Working in the printing industry in 1985 to ‘95 was crazy. The bindery machines were set to old picas, and the pre-press prep areas were reset to new picas. They screwed up lots of jobs until they developed a conversion chart.