Metric or Imperial

[Topper]

here is the real source of those crapy decoders
_http://www.anycas.com/Products/2009/0524/article_45.html

they must cost about 10quids a kilo

OT

That is cheaper than boiled sweets in my local newsagents who now charges 90p per 25g bag or a quarter whichever they have it switched to at the time.

 

[Lazarus]

OT

That is cheaper than boiled sweets in my local newsagents who now charges 90p per 25g bag or a quarter whichever they have it switched to at the time.

Wow! He's really ripping off the Metricphobes: 25 g is less than an ounce (28.375g).

I'd go for the quarter - much better value ................. then you'd get 113.5g for the same price.

Or does he BOGOF ??

 

[Topper]

Ah yes, apologies I did mean 100gm or an ounce, but well you see despite being brought up with both systems side by side I still prefer some measurements in one and some in the other so I always ask for a quarter, if I happen to be feeling flush and blood sugar is low.

 

[Lazarus]

I'm 52 and brought up with both - and having studied science "O" Levels and "A" Levels (When they had value*) plus Electrical/Electronic Engineering Degree am pretty much rooted in SI Units too.

But I do now find that the continued and somewhat pointed use of Imperial is getting on my t*ts.

Prime examples include Weather Forecasts, Broadsheet Newspapers, Road Signs.

I mean, if people of my age are immersed in Metric, one must assume that most younger folk are bemused by Imperial and most older people probably still deal in Groats and Leagues anyway.

* Another excuse for an O/T Thread ...............

 

[PaulR]

I still prefer some measurements in one and some in the other

Me to.

And I'm not always logical about it either.

I've always talked about my car engines in litres or CCs, never cubic inches. My fuel tank has been in gallons although I'm gradually becoming a bit aware of the litre equivalent. Fuel consumption is strictly MPG. Litres per 100 kilometres? What on earth is that?

I'm still a feet and inches man for a person's height. I know roughly what my height is metrically but that's all. Same with body weight - stones and pounds although, again, I now know what that is in kilogrammes.

 

[PaulR]

* Another excuse for an O/T Thread ...............

Perhaps we should ask Rolf for an area specifically dedicated to OT subjects?

Anyway, this thread is OK as it started off OT and should continue that way!

I did SI units at school as well. In fact I was caught up in the changeover from CGS to MKS to SI during my secondary education.

 

[Topper]

Perhaps we should ask Rolf for an area specifically dedicated to OT subjects?

I split and moved it to the meeting place, is that not considered appropriate enough for OT or off the wall topics...ah crisp crunchy hazelnuts surrounded by smooth creamy filling all covered in rich milk chocolate

Time for my meds I think

 

[compufunk]

Im in my early 30s and also use both systems. We were taught both at school but with more emphasis on the Metric system.

After leaving school it soon became apparent that in the real working world, in most cases the Imperial system was used most.

Before embarking on a different career, I spent the 1st few years of my working life as an apprentice cabinet maker. Again, both systems were used interchangeably in this trade.

And I'm not always logical about it either.

I know what you mean, for convenience, Ive sometimes measured the length of an object using imperial and the width in metric. Just so that I could get nice round number for each measurement. ;)

Time for my meds I think

Dont get your grammes mixed up with your ounces or we could have some interesting posts from you.

 

[Lazarus]

Dont get your grammes mixed up with your ounces or we could have some interesting posts from you.

Otherwise known as a "Jacko moment"

 

[Salty25]

Lol, well being 23yo I should be metric all the way... but I'm as mixed up as most!

People are weighted in imperial, objects in metric (including sweets, although shops hate), temperature in both, miles (unless on the continent), measures in metric (except fuel!).

Unfortunately, expenses are still in pounds and not pennies, despite my many efforts

 

[pgh13]

And 10 bob for a packet of crisps:-)

 

[Crisbe]

I'm an engineer, now in my sixties, who grew up in the Imperial age and went on to learn metric (and find it a damn sight easier to work with, especially thread sizes!)

In the old days we used to call a mistake a F**k Up, but since we went metric we call it a Faux Pas!

 

[Analoguesat]

Metric/Imperial mix ups can be disasterous:

_http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_Climate_Orbiter

The Mars Climate Orbiter was intended to enter orbit at an altitude of 140–150 km (460,000-500,000 ft.) above Mars. However, a navigation error caused the spacecraft to reach as low as 57 km (190,000 ft.). The spacecraft was destroyed by atmospheric stresses and friction at this low altitude. The navigation error arose because a NASA subcontractor (Lockheed Martin) used Imperial units (pound-seconds) instead of the metric system.

Im in my 40's and grew up with both systems - and have been known to use some right odd mish mash measurements - eg something like " a couple of mm over 4 feet"

 

[compufunk]

They introduced metric speed limits here a few years ago. The only problem is that on most speedo's, the Kph dials are illegible in a safe driving position.

Anyone I've asked about it still thinks in Mph. They have just memorised the converted metric to imperial numbers and use the MPH dial to gauge their speed.

Slightly off topic, but the change over to euro is also taking its time to sink in with some. I still compare euro value to the old pound, but worse still, my father still converts current money to old pre metric coins before going on a rant about current prices O-zzz.