Do you think the United States should start using the metric system?

Question

In my opinion, I think this nation should do so. Its far easier to use than the English system not to mention almost all countries in the world use it.

Answer 1

I think a complete switch is not a good idea.  There are too many machines, parts, programs, etc. currently in English.  It would I think cost billions to overhaul everything to English, and even then, you are going to have some poor farmer with an ancient tractor that needs a 5/16" bolt bit but only can buy metric bits.

That said, the switch seems to already be happening but very, very slowly (i.e. teaching both in schools), and I think that is a good thing.

Answer 2

The metric system was invented by the French...Yes, many countries use it. Some use part metric, part English, and part native (such as in the Philippines). If you think it is easy, try airing up your tires using metric!

It is ironic that metric is based on units of 100s; well, what is the U.S. dollar?

Metric won't work for many things, such as time, calendars, etc.

The ONLY advantage for the U.S. to convert to metric is because so many other countries use it.

So, no, I think we should keep our current system (which really is NOT English; the English gallon, for instance, is a larger volume than the American gallon).

Answer 3

The US has not completely switched to the metric system, but there are a lot of companies and organizations that have switched to the metric system. Most car companies have switched to the metric sytem. Most scientific organizations in the US have switched to the metric system. The English system is not scientifically friendly.

Answer 4

Yes---its time we catch up with the rest of the world....it may be good to use the Euro while we are at it!!

Answer 5

No..  they tried to introduce it back in the 70's, but our government funded education system, kept teaching the kids the American standards.  What a waste of money and waste of time that was.   But hey,  it only cost Americans a few billion dollars of wasted tax money.

Answer 6

Definitely! I agree it's much easier because things are set in powers of ten and freezing 0 and 100 is boiling I don't know why we haven't fully switched. At least now we're teaching more in school then before, but we need to switch fully.

Answer 7

No. The rest of the world can use our weights and measures. I don't know why other nations think we should change. We won't. Why is it important? Do you want to make a Betty Crocker cake mix and don't know how much water to add?

Answer 8

I don't think it will happen anytime soon. Plus what is the real benefit? It could be convenient when you talk to your European friends about weight, height..etc. or for recipes..but nowadays converting things is so easy online. Every country in the world uses different systems too. Spain is different than the UK, and they are both different than Brazil for clothes and shoes for instance. I think if we are going to change one thing it should be switching to Celsius from Fahrenheit..at least give the Celsius conversions on the weather news, so people can slowly get used to it. That is more universal.

Answer 9

Of course any conversion will not have to happen overnight.....so the argument that is too expensive and farmers will be unable to find bolts is silly. It, like it was in Canada, can and should be implemented gradually. New road signs can have both measurements, as long as equipment exists using standard sized parts, parts will be produced for such equipment. Here in Canada, we use metric officially but, at least where I live, people still know their height in standard, 5'10", weight in lbs, etc. I don't think it is urgent to replace the system, but I do believe there is a lot of unfounded opposition to the idea in the US. The metric system is the same everywhere, UK, Spain, Timbuktu and Delhi. As for clothes sizes, well, that's wholly unrelated....

Answer 10

No. We're doing just fine using our system. Everyone's already used to it. If you need to know the conversion, keep the formula in your head. If you forget it, look it up. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Answer 11

I agree with you in that the US should change to the metric system.  It was chosen as the universal measurement system and only we decided not to follow. The difference in measurement units causes a lot of unneccesary confusion.  we dont change because of traditoin, but the main reason is MONEY!  if we were to change now, it would cost the US millions just to change or fix all the speed limit signs.  it would also cause more confusion as people try to learn the "new" measurements.  but i still say we should change, just slowly

Answer 12

As a Canadian, I'm obviously partial to the metric system, as scientifically, it just makes more sense (1000m = 1km, etc.) .  But it would be extremely expensive and time consuming to convert all the existing machinery and products in the US.  I think they should, but I don't think they will.