Comments on: Metric map: Which countries don’t belong with the others?

By: Cypress AsianGuy

Cypress AsianGuy — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:53:00 +0000

Switching to metric isn’t that HARD at all. The key is to switch one unit at a time. When the population is familiar with one unit, start with the next. I think switching from mile to metre should be the last while switching from F to C is the easiest and should be done first. Very few people depends on knowing the temperature to function in life while misjudging the distance can be detrimental.

To switch from F to C, one only needs to be familiar with 5 constants (3, really) and you will feel right at home with the metric system: Basically, 0C is when ice starts to form on the road, 100C is when water boils in the kitchen. 20C is a comfortable room temperature. 5 below 20 (15C) is when it starts to feel cold and 5 above 20 (25C) is when it starts to feel hot. If you want to go nuts, then remember that 10 below 15 (5C) is when it starts to feel VERY cold and 10 above 25 (35C) is when it starts to feel VERY hot.

The same thing with switching from mile to metre. Just remember some basic constants. For example, 100km would be an hour drive on the freeway. 50km would be an hour drive on surface road. For a person, 2m tall would be pretty tall and 1.5 m tall would be pretty short. An ideal guy would be around 1.8m tall and 100 kg heavy.

Don’t get all crazy with complicated converting formulas and scared yourself off. Just learn some basic daily constants in metrics and you’ll be right at home. Let the eggheads worry about the complicated stuff.

By: Christie

Christie — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 20:33:00 +0000

I am glad you feel qualified to speak for all of us Canadians. I started school in 1980 and so have learned the metric system since grade 1. However, I am also fluent in imperial measurement due to my father and grandparents clinging to it. Knowing how many inches were in a foot, etc, made life easier. My husband was in Jr high before metric was implemented, so he too is quite fluent in either system. While I do order larger quantities in pounds, smaller ones I order in grams. The metric system is much simpler to figure out and overall makes more sense. I highly doubt my children will even understand ounces, pensor the mindbending Fahrenheit system unless they decide to study it on a lark. Please do not assume that just because you want the imperial system to rule the day that we all do.

By: Christie

Christie — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 20:33:00 +0000

By: Christie

Christie — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 20:33:00 +0000

By: Badboy

Badboy — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 04:04:00 +0000

Did Lberia and Burma convert to the Metric System yet? In a couple of articles I read it has been stated that Burma was the last country to convert to the Metric System. It s 2012 now! Did they convert yet?

By: Herpy McDerp

Herpy McDerp — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 12:19:00 +0000

Then say “30 cm”.

By: Herpy McDerp

Herpy McDerp — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 12:16:00 +0000

But… in my country the metric system IS the santard measurement system.

By: Carl Armbruster

Carl Armbruster — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 18:03:00 +0000

Quick . . . how many feet in 27.5 miles? No calculator allowed . . . I’m waiting . . .

Now . . . how many meters in 27.5 kilometers? 27,500 – duh, that was easy . . .

Metric is better because it is simpler and faster. It is not better because everyone else uses it – everyone else uses it because it is better. The US has too many stupid, lazy people to convert. I work as a software engineer – we already use metric. Metric is all we EVER used in my high school and college classes (25 years ago). The smart people in the US already converted. We are just waiting for the stupid people to catch up.

By: Carl Armbruster

Carl Armbruster — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 18:03:00 +0000

Quick . . . how many feet in 27.5 miles? No calculator allowed . . . I’m waiting . . .

Now . . . how many meters in 27.5 kilometers? 27,500 – duh, that was easy . . .

By: Carl Armbruster

Carl Armbruster — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 17:57:00 +0000

Everyone orders meat in pounds? That is your logic? We use the imperial system so, duh, they order in pounds. I see everyone picking their nose so by your logic, picking your nose is a good thing. It is a shame too many Americans are too stupid to learn how to multiply and divide by 10 – geez