Imperial vs. Metric units of measurment?

Question

Why is the US still using Imperial units when Metric is now the internationally accepted norm? Metric is based on the deciamal system which makes calculations very convenient. Are there hidden advantages to the Imperial system that I don't know about or is making the change from Imperial to Metric too big a change to be practical?

Answer 1

There are no advantages in the imperial system at all.  In fact it provides a lot of  hassle as it requires the memorization of a number of factors such as 5280ft to a Mile.  There is no other way to know this than to memorize it.  

The only reason I see for the US not to change systems is politics and that change is hard.  All the people that are not in school would have to rapidly "learn" the new system, though I know the metric system has been tought in American schools for a number of years, people forget it as soon as they leave class since it's not seen in daily situations.

The fact that there is little chance of a mandatory change coming from the federal government, as it's likely to be left up to each state also hinders the issue.

Technically it would only impact people for the first few years or so.

I'm from Brasil and we use the Metric system, but I have lived in the US a number of years.

Answer 2

Because the US is lazy, traditionalist and very behind the times. It would probably be a little expensive to change over but most countries have dealt with this to save the enormous hassle of strange numbers. The Metric system is logical and IS universal in science. The general population is just generally against change.

Answer 3

inertia and politics.

Answer 4

When I was a child about 60 years ago,many of my learning hours were spent were waste.Because we used British system .In 1957 we changed to metric. It was easy and based om decimals.For example, Our currency was Rupees. It was 16 annas for one rupee.And 12 paise for one Anna,.Now we have 100 paise for one rupee. That is very simple.Just shift the full stop convert from one to another/

I live in India.