Metric System

[irmamar]

I'd like to know if the speedometer in the American cars show the speed in miles or in kilometers.

[chileno]

Originally Posted by irmamar

I'd like to know if the speedometer in the American cars show the speed in miles or in kilometers.

In both but kilometers is less prominent in smaller type.

[poli]

En algunos coches nuevos es digital. Hay que oprimir una tecla para cambiar millias por kilómetros en una pantalla. En conveniente para viajes
al Canadá.

[Feliz]

Now that I've read through this thread, I doubt that the US government will ever declare the metric system official, just as we don't have an "official" language here either. That doesn't mean that certain realities don't exist. English and Spanish are the predominant languages here, even though they are not official. And, metric is being used here already even though it is not official. My husband uses metric tools on our cars. I use metric when I take medications, shop for groceries, and prepare meals. I think people would panic if certain realities became "official." They would feel compelled to take sides and the issue would be drawn out of all proportion. When the need arises to speak Spanish or use metric, that's when the transition will happen here in the US--slowly, and with the blessing of the business community and everyday people. Not with any "official" sanction. Mi Granito de arena. But what do I know, really! I'm just guessing.

[Awaken]

This is a good question. Metric certainly has advantages and being based on 10 which is the same as our math, it obviously is a better choice long term. Perhaps a gradual shift would work. For instance, no more "gallons" only "liters". Americans are already used to the term and could most easily adjust. A 100% shift would be very tough on the economy right now as it would lead to huge errors, conversion costs, etc...

"I'm going to store to grab a 4 liter of milk" -- It would seem very odd at first, but we could adjust.

In reality, with computers and the fact that our systems have survived just fine so far, I don't see it happening. I personally prefer Fahrenheit over Celsius. I like the additional granularity it provides. For weather, 0-100 covers most of the common temperatures vs. -18 to 38. Having 0 at the freezing point is nice I guess though.

My vote is: Yes for long term, but it needs to be done gradually over a pretty long period of time.

[poli]

It's certainly not a top priority issue, but changing it would employ many
people. The current international economic slowdown has created
high unemployment figures. The unemployed may benefit from it.

[JPablo]

Originally Posted by pjt33

Your guess is spot on. But in English you have pity on someone.

Three countries use variants on the Imperial system, and the UK uses a mix of Imperial and metric.

Thank you Pjt33, for teaching me and be patient on me!

(Good to read the different views on this issue!)

[irmamar]

Thanks Chileno and Poli.

[Awaken]

Originally Posted by JPablo

Thank you Pjt33, for teaching me and be being patient on with me!

(Good to read the different views on this issue!)

Just a couple of corrections.

If you say "teaching" for the first in the pair, you need to use the "ing" form for the 2nd pair.

You have pity on someone. But you are patient with someone.

[JPablo]

Thank you Awaken,
for having pity on me, being patient with me... and teaching me!

[CrOtALiTo]

Originally Posted by irmamar

Mientras no quieran cambiar el de los demás...

Definitely you have changed.