You Yanks drive me crazy!

[Laughing_Gnome_Invisible]

Well, if it's true that Napoleon implemented the new ideas of the metric system AND driving on the right, then I guess the US is 50/50 on taking up new concepts. I still think it's best to drive on the left though just in case there is an apocalypse and once again we need to have our sword hand ready to tackle an oncoming foe.

Metric system. I served my apprenticeship in construction in England during the time they in transition between imperial and metric. All my tape measures had both metric and imperial. I still search out those tapes even today. I will often measure something using both units......Hmmm I need a piece of 3/4" ply 16" long by 233mm wide. It's the best of both worlds when you just pick the easiest one on the tape!

 

[MattHollingsworth]

How is Zagreb by the way? It looks like a really nice city that I'd like to visit but I'd like to hear the point of view from someone who lives there.

It's okay. I like it here. But there's not a whole lot to entice people to visit. The museums pretty much suck. There aren't a lot of sights. But it's got a nice livability to it and where I live in the west, it's very green. If you come to Croatia, you should visit the sea. The sea here is amazing. Do a Google images search for Dubrovnik, Makarska, Hvar, Korcula or the like.

 

[Laughing_Gnome_Invisible]

The worst thing about imperial apart from not being base 10 is the multitude of measurements used. Cups, quarts, teaspoons, tablespoons, fluid ounce, gills, gallons, barrels, hogsheads.

I find that to be especially true for brewing software. One minute it's in gallons, then suddenly in quarts for no apparent reason. WTF?

 

[Photomask]

The worst thing about imperial apart from not being base 10 is the multitude of measurements used. Cups, quarts, teaspoons, tablespoons, fluid ounce, gills, gallons, barrels, hogsheads.

Whatever you use you become used to using. Why bother changing just because somebody else uses something different.

Try representing speed as furlongs per fortnight. It confused the heck out of traffic cops.

 

[Hermit]

Actually a stone is 14 pounds.

I just went out back and weighed a stone. Not even close....

 

[Photomask]

I just went out back and weighed a stone. Not even close....

Are you trying to say that you have small stones?

 

[Pivot]

Really? Two other countries are still in the dark ages? I thought we were the only one!

Bottom line: it costs too much. Though a lot of industries have made the switch, it just costs too much to do it. So we plod along with inches and pounds.......

Haha yea its just you guys, Burma and Liberia that aren't on the metric system.

 

[McKBrew]

I like the standard system. It's what I am used to. When someone says 1 foot, I can visualize it. If someone says 5 gallons, I can visualize it.

Just the way I was taught. I like working with hand tools, so when I look at a nut or bolt, I can usually tell what size it is, if it is in standard.

I am learning metric though, because everything on the Jeep is metric. But I don't learn it the same way. I don't look at a bolt on the Jeep and see an 18mm bolt, I just remember what bolts are what size and leave it at that.

Honestly, it might be easier to be metric, but the real reason is we just don't want to change.

 

[Hermit]

Are you trying to say that you have small stones?

Opposite. Perhaps a case of transference?

 

[Bernie Brewer]

Where would the major costs be. I would guess road signs. Everything else can be phased out.

in the manufacturing side the tooling guys would just convert numbers over rather than modifying the machines I would think.

Training would cost money but what else? I see the Roads being the biggest issue.

Uh, no. Retooling an entire industry takes $. Lots of it.

 

[Laughing_Gnome_Invisible]

Uh, no. Retooling an entire industry takes $. Lots of it.

And America has lived too long on the bottom line with no room for expenditure on it's infrastructure.


This is the exact same reason i'm crap at playing Civilisation IV

 

[Mista_Sparkle]

As an engineering student, an all out switch to the metric system would save me a ton of time converting between various imperial/English units. Everything makes a ton more sense in metric and I wouldn't have to remember that a cubic foot of water weighs 62.4 pounds , 1 BTU heats 1 lb of water 1º or = 780ft·lbf or anything like that.

I'm all for switching to metric or SI, maybe I should just move to another country...

 

[david_42]

We are, but slowly. Our Interstate highway system was spec'd in metric back in the 1950s. Almost everything about our cars is metric, except the wheel sizes and the odometer. Soda is in 2L bottles and wine in 750ml. All of our coinage and paper money is metric (nickels are 5.000 gm). Meds are in mg.

But most of the elders can't cope. For example, how would they buy gas? Now all they have to do is say, "Fill it." or "Give me $30 of regular." It would be too hard in metric.

Not changing can be very expensive. A couple months back I was reading about a new shipping facility that delayed its opening because the cable trenches for the electric cranes were too small. The cable was metric, and the trenches were stupid. When specifying the trench, they converted and rounded down. Just a 0.3 mm error. $2.5M.

 

[Laughing_Gnome_Invisible]

But most of the elders can't cope. For example, how would they buy gas? Now all they have to do is say, "Fill it." or "Give me $30 of regular." It would be too hard in metric.

Europeans never get to say "Fill it" unless they are a millionaire.

 

[DeathBrewer]

Well, if it's true that Napoleon implemented the new ideas of the metric system AND driving on the right, then I guess the US is 50/50 on taking up new concepts. I still think it's best to drive on the left though just in case there is an apocalypse and once again we need to have our sword hand ready to tackle an oncoming foe.

I'll have you know that my sword hand is always ready and able. I can drive, shift, smoke a cigarette, eat a taco and "handle may sword" all at the same time :cross:

Metric system. I served my apprenticeship in construction in England during the time they in transition between imperial and metric. All my tape measures had both metric and imperial. I still search out those tapes even today. I will often measure something using both units......Hmmm I need a piece of 3/4" ply 16" long by 233mm wide. It's the best of both worlds when you just pick the easiest one on the tape!

Why can't the world just realize we're better than them and get with the program? j/k...I work in the medical industry...most if it is metric. I have to use a conversion table when issuing the few items that use pounds (**** a calculator.)

Bah, that metric stuff is a fad. It'll never last.

I can just imagine watching a football game with my 354.882355 mL beer, as the quarterback makes a pass for First and 9.144.

lol. Hmm...I never hear about "cubic meters"...that's interesting...

 

[Laughing_Gnome_Invisible]

I work in the medical industry...most if it is metric. I have to use a conversion table when issuing the few items that use pounds (**** a calculator.)

Nurse!! Inject that man with 27 pounds of cocaine....STAT!

 

[BioBeing]

We like what we have and are very resistant to change. I work in highly technical fields and use different systems as the need arises. But to convert based on, "the rest of the world has done it...", will not fly here. We are a country based on non-conformity and individuality. To expect us to conform to what the rest of the world has done will further strengthen our resolve. It's just the way we are wired.... Besides, most of us have spent a lifetime of falling off the wagon, in stead of jumping on it.

Americans are all completely in agreement that they are non-conformists.

 

[Laughing_Gnome_Invisible]

Americans are all completely in agreement that they are non-conformists.

Oh good! You are the perfect person to explain to me the apparent allure of country and western music!

 

[ChshreCat]

We'll consider using the metric system when y'all stop driving on the wrong side of the road.


(Yeah, I said y'all... y'all got a prollem with that?)

 

[Laughing_Gnome_Invisible]

We'll consider using the metric system when y'all stop driving on the wrong side of the road.


(Yeah, I said y'all... y'all got a prollem with that?)

Already stated!! Come the apocolypse, all right handed people riding their horses on the right side of the road will find their swords are only good for trimming the hedges at the side of the road. There IS a reason Brits drive on the left you know!!

 

[ChshreCat]

Already stated!!

s'what I get for being too lazy to read the whole thread.

Damn lazy Americans...

 

[jgln]

It all has to do with the McDonalds 1/4 pounder.

 

[Laughing_Gnome_Invisible]

It all has to do with the McDonalds 1/4 pounder.

Yeah, let's make that the McDonald's 1 grammer and save the world!


PS If ANYONE mentions the Royale with Cheese, I will take away their video club card

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

There IS a reason Brits drive on the left you know!!

I am perfectly fine with the left side driving bit.

But why you gotta go and put the wheel on the right side, switch the column lever but leave the pedals like ours?

 

[Laughing_Gnome_Invisible]

I am perfectly fine with the left side driving bit.

But why you gotta go and put the wheel on the right side, switch the column lever but leave the pedals like ours?

I drove my French car in the UK with the driver's side all mixed up for about four years. Meh, it was easy aside from the deafness caused by the screams of people in the passenger seat. Most passengers are fluffycats and don't know what the middle of the road looks like.

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

I drove my French car in the UK with the driver's side all mixed up for about four years. Meh, it was easy aside from the deafness caused by the screams of people in the passenger seat. Most passengers are fluffycats and don't know what the middle of the road looks like.

I always drive in Malaysia. Inevitably I go to the wrong side of the car at first. And signal my turn by turning on the wipers. Of course, it's Malaysia, so no one really cares. Or notices.

And what the F is the deal with 4 lane round abouts and 12 exits? Seriously?

 

[Laughing_Gnome_Invisible]

I always drive in Malaysia. Inevitably I go to the wrong side of the car at first. And signal my turn by turning on the wipers. Of course, it's Malaysia, so no one really cares. Or notices.

And what the F is the deal with 4 lane round abouts and 12 exits? Seriously?

You forgot about changing gear with the window winder (When cars still had those)

Roundabouts are GREAT!! I wish the US had them! there are sooo many ways you can cheat the traffic on those things! much better than having to go to the trouble of stopping to a dead halt at every single junction!

 

[jgln]

You forgot about changing gear with the window winder (When cars still had those)

Roundabouts are GREAT!! I wish the US had them! there are sooo many ways you can cheat the traffic on those things! much better than having to go to the trouble of stopping to a dead halt at every single junction!

We have them here in NJ, but they are called circles and are slowly going away and being replaced with intersections. I have driven circles ever since I could drive and often every day so they don't bother me....unless traffic is crawling at a snail's pace because you loose your intimidation edge. In other words you never look into the other eyes of the other driver and they usually back off because they think you won't notice them and stop if they get in front of you.

 

[DeathBrewer]

Oh good! You are the perfect person to explain to me the apparent allure of country and western music!

What allure? I think I'll stick with Thrash

It all has to do with the McDonalds 1/4 pounder.

You mean a Royal Cheese?

 

[Laughing_Gnome_Invisible]

PS If ANYONE mentions the Royale with Cheese, I will take away their video club card

You mean a Royal Cheese?

It was only a matter of time. I KNEW I would catch a slacker that was not paying attention!!


Video club card revoked sir!!