Metric

I learnt both at school and as I live in Germany I only use metric anyway. (So my babies were all born with metric weights and measures.) But I ask for a pound or a half a pound of, say, mincemeat, at the counter, and the assistant will weigh out 500g or 250g, no problem. I'm really not fussed if a recipe is in grams or ounces.

Sorry to be on the fence, when everyone is so divided on this subject. I just get on with it.

Trade with the US is no excuse for clinging on to imperial, though, as their measurements, particularly volume, (pints and gallons) are different from the UK ones.

As rulers have had both metric and imperial on them for as long as I can remember, I do find it mildly irritating when I hear someone moan that they haven't a clue what 30cm looks like.

I had this discussion with my mum recently. Yes, she's old now, but like most of òur population, she wasn' oldt back when metric was brought in, so age isn't really a good excuse any more.

(But I can't picture a baby's size when told its weight in kilos, so I'm a fine one to talk - that said, I do know my own weight in kilos, as our old scales showed both metric and imperial weights).

I still think in feet and inches, fluid ounces, and miles.

My mental rule of thumb for a mile is from my childhood home to my favourite cycle run venue, and how much effort it takes to peddle there.
Some people don't have visual memories and for them it must be easier to assimilate novel measuring systems.

Mollygo

Callistemon21
How could you say such a thing?
They're sales people and presumably know what they're doing.
Although I expect there are some Gransnetters who could tell them how to do their jobs better. ???
Not only can, but probably will.

Although both your statements are so very true!???

I'm putting my hand up! I could tell an estate agent how to do their job better.

I have seen the wrong information on the property listed, because no-one has checked for accuracy. I have seen appalling photos on Right Move showing pipes and the inside of cupboards instead of nice views of the property. One place I wanted to buy had no room sizes shown and the estate agent couldn't be bothered to get them for me. So yes, I could definitely do their job better.

For cooking I still think in Imperial but can convert old recipes in my head (almost) without thinking - 4 oz = roughly 100g etc.

I still think in Fahrenheit for temperature (but know that e.g. 16C = 61F), weights and heights of people and babies.

On a CBeebies craft programme recently the presenter mentioned a measurement in feet and inches. 'What's an inch Nana?' my 7-year-old granddaughter asked me. Of course she knows what feet are because she wears shoes.

MsAdventure superb!

Deedaa, I agree about driving abroad. We use km quite easily, especially since the signposts and my milometer are in km. If we want to know about how many miles, we just divide km by 8 then multiply by 5 or do it the easier km/3 then x 2. It’s great for the DGC maths as well.

The United States, Liberia and Myanmar are the only countries still using imperial measurements so going back to imperial would severely limit our export opportunities.

I learnt both at school in the 60s. I worked as a draughtsman for a while in the 70s which meant using all metric and I use metric for cooking, sewing and jobs round the house. I use imperial for weighing myself because I've never bothered to change. Driving in this country I use miles, abroad I can see distances in kilometres.

MissAdventure

Yes, never label yourself stupid.
Log on to here and let someone else do it for you.

I've just spluttered tea everywhere!

Definitely Quote of the Year! ??

Callistemon21
How could you say such a thing?
They're sales people and presumably know what they're doing.
Although I expect there are some Gransnetters who could tell them how to do their jobs better. ???
Not only can, but probably will.

Although both your statements are so very true!???

CountessFosco

Bearing in mind Britain adopted the metric system in 1965, it is really pathetic that estate agents, and advertisers [on eBay] are still using feet and inches.

It's not pathetic, it's presumably practical as estate agents wouldn't waste their time providing both sets of measurements unless they thought it would help to sell houses.

They're sales people and presumably know what they're doing.

Although I expect there are some Gransnetters who could tell them how to do their jobs better. ???

Chestnut

MissAdventure

Yes, never label yourself stupid.
Log on to here and let someone else do it for you.

That has got to be Post of the Year! ????

It really should be Gransnet Quote of All Time!

Just priceless ?

Why should I have to buy a kilo of grapes which is already packaged when all I wanted was a pound.

Don't do metric. Never felt the need or desire.

I still think in feet and inches. I can’t quite see metres etc

Esspee

Why do we still use miles? Can anyone enlighten me?

I am approaching 74 years of age. In primary school we used ounces, pounds, inches and feet but at secondary school we used the metric system. It is disgraceful that the changeover wasn't enforced in all aspects.

Same, I was a child of the 60's/70's and can do neither particularly well even now! If selling on Facebook or eBay I will measure in one (if it's whole cms or inches) and then generally put both, using a google converter!

MissAdventure

Yes, never label yourself stupid.
Log on to here and let someone else do it for you.

That has got to be Post of the Year! ????

volver

Chestnut

Esspee

Why do we still use miles? Can anyone enlighten me?

I am approaching 74 years of age. In primary school we used ounces, pounds, inches and feet but at secondary school we used the metric system. It is disgraceful that the changeover wasn't enforced in all aspects.

We still use imperial because we're British and we love it! I'm not sure that makes us disgraceful. Centuries of imperial means our brains are wired for it, and not naturally wired for metric. What annoys me is when they use both, sometimes together. Let's just go back to imperial, although that might be tricky for the money. ? ?

This thread's a laugh a minute.... ?

Gosh, that must be the first time you've laughed at one of my jokes! And that is what it was, so we're making progress.

MerylStreep

Who are the stupid ones ?
Who worked behind the bar, in a shop, adding up 3&6 and 11 pence 3 farthings.
I’d like to see all the clever dicks do that in their head
I think I’ve proved my point.

Yup, been there. First Saturday job in Boots, adding up in my head all the little items brought to the till, including half pennies. And I was no good at maths! Farthings had gone by then (thank goodness) as they ended in 1961, although I loved the coin itself with the little wren.

Chestnut

Esspee

Why do we still use miles? Can anyone enlighten me?

I am approaching 74 years of age. In primary school we used ounces, pounds, inches and feet but at secondary school we used the metric system. It is disgraceful that the changeover wasn't enforced in all aspects.

We still use imperial because we're British and we love it! I'm not sure that makes us disgraceful. Centuries of imperial means our brains are wired for it, and not naturally wired for metric. What annoys me is when they use both, sometimes together. Let's just go back to imperial, although that might be tricky for the money. ? ?

This thread's a laugh a minute.... ?

callistmom you’re not being rude I m top end of 70 s so yes I learned the hard stuff at school ?

MissAdventure

Yes, never label yourself stupid.
Log on to here and let someone else do it for you.

?

missA ???love it
I think if there was no choice I would have had to learn it I m absolutely fine with money and never think in old money because we had it completely taken away
I m fairly ok with heat and cold on weather programmes again although a lot is given in both
But miles, stones, feet and inches is often given in both We go to the pub for a pint, we drink out of a pint or half pint glass we travel in miles per hour and I don’t recognise my height or weight in metric…. my bras are sold as 38/40/42 ins my shoes are U.K. sizes 6 or 7 not 38 or 40
No you’re right I m not stupid mollygo

Baker's dozen, anyone?