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metric vs imperial
System
Posts: 1,917 MFP Staff
in Debate Club
This discussion was created from replies split from: The unreal weight.
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Replies
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JeromeBarry1 wrote: »Whether in stone or lb it's difficult to imagine anyone being alive at that weight. How old are you?
You do realize there's this thing called the "metric system", which is used in 95% of the world, right? And that measures in that system are in kilograms rather than pounds?
Outside of the U.S., the only other countries still using Imperial measurements are Liberia and Myanmar.16 -
moosmum1972 wrote: »JeromeBarry1 wrote: »Whether in stone or lb it's difficult to imagine anyone being alive at that weight. How old are you?
You do realize there's this thing called the "metric system", which is used in 95% of the world, right? And that measures in that system are in kilograms rather than pounds?
Outside of the U.S., the only other countries still using Imperial measurements are Liberia and Myanmar.
Most of us of a certain age still use lbs in the uk....I say pah to metric.
Interesting, I didn't realize that. I've lived in the US my entire life, never even been to another continent outside North America. I still have to do Imperial to Metric conversions in my head or use a converter app, and when somebody says they weigh 83 kilos or their height is 2.8 meters/280 centimeters or it's 14C degrees outside, it doesn't have any context to me until I convert it to Imperial units. But if somebody says their weight is 62, or 13.7, I pretty quickly key on to the fact that they're probably talking kilograms or stone.4 -
JeromeBarry1 wrote: »Whether in stone or lb it's difficult to imagine anyone being alive at that weight. How old are you?
You do realize there's this thing called the "metric system", which is used in 95% of the world, right? And that measures in that system are in kilograms rather than pounds?
Outside of the U.S., the only other countries still using Imperial measurements are Liberia and Myanmar.
It's also known as the "British Imperial" system and was used by many countries in the former empire, still is in a few places.
But to the OP, what everyone has said is correct. Your weight will always fluctuate by a few pounds/kilos for many reasons, including water retention, bowel movements, high sodium food, hormones etc. So you will never have one "real weight" but a range you maintain in.2 -
JeromeBarry1 wrote: »Whether in stone or lb it's difficult to imagine anyone being alive at that weight. How old are you?
You do realize there's this thing called the "metric system", which is used in 95% of the world, right? And that measures in that system are in kilograms rather than pounds?
Outside of the U.S., the only other countries still using Imperial measurements are Liberia and Myanmar.
I was told in grade school in the 1970s that the US was going to be completely metric within 10 years and either learn it or become obsolete. 40 years later, metric measurement use is so rare in my day to day life in the US that I honestly can't recall a time besides running (5k, 10k), using a socket set, and occasionally measuring food on MFP where knowing what the metric equivalent to an Imperial measurement would have made any difference in my life whatsoever.6 -
JeromeBarry1 wrote: »Whether in stone or lb it's difficult to imagine anyone being alive at that weight. How old are you?
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Bry_Lander wrote: »JeromeBarry1 wrote: »Whether in stone or lb it's difficult to imagine anyone being alive at that weight. How old are you?
You do realize there's this thing called the "metric system", which is used in 95% of the world, right? And that measures in that system are in kilograms rather than pounds?
Outside of the U.S., the only other countries still using Imperial measurements are Liberia and Myanmar.
I was told in grade school in the 1970s that the US was going to be completely metric within 10 years and either learn it or become obsolete. 40 years later, metric measurement use is so rare in my day to day life in the US that I honestly can't recall a time besides running (5k, 10k), using a socket set, and occasionally measuring food on MFP where knowing what the metric equivalent to an Imperial measurement would have made any difference in my life whatsoever.
That has absolutely no relevance to the fact that 95% of the world deals in metric...6 -
Alatariel75 wrote: »Bry_Lander wrote: »JeromeBarry1 wrote: »Whether in stone or lb it's difficult to imagine anyone being alive at that weight. How old are you?
You do realize there's this thing called the "metric system", which is used in 95% of the world, right? And that measures in that system are in kilograms rather than pounds?
Outside of the U.S., the only other countries still using Imperial measurements are Liberia and Myanmar.
I was told in grade school in the 1970s that the US was going to be completely metric within 10 years and either learn it or become obsolete. 40 years later, metric measurement use is so rare in my day to day life in the US that I honestly can't recall a time besides running (5k, 10k), using a socket set, and occasionally measuring food on MFP where knowing what the metric equivalent to an Imperial measurement would have made any difference in my life whatsoever.
That has absolutely no relevance to the fact that 95% of the world deals in metric...
What is irrelevant is doing something that others do for the sake of doing something that others do.
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Bry_Lander wrote: »Alatariel75 wrote: »Bry_Lander wrote: »JeromeBarry1 wrote: »Whether in stone or lb it's difficult to imagine anyone being alive at that weight. How old are you?
You do realize there's this thing called the "metric system", which is used in 95% of the world, right? And that measures in that system are in kilograms rather than pounds?
Outside of the U.S., the only other countries still using Imperial measurements are Liberia and Myanmar.
I was told in grade school in the 1970s that the US was going to be completely metric within 10 years and either learn it or become obsolete. 40 years later, metric measurement use is so rare in my day to day life in the US that I honestly can't recall a time besides running (5k, 10k), using a socket set, and occasionally measuring food on MFP where knowing what the metric equivalent to an Imperial measurement would have made any difference in my life whatsoever.
That has absolutely no relevance to the fact that 95% of the world deals in metric...
What is irrelevant is doing something that others do for the sake of doing something that others do.
o_0
I'd call that ignorance, not irrelevance. Just because it's not specifically relevant in a person's day to day life doesn't mean that it's not better that a person is aware that it exists and is widely used elsewhere.11 -
Bry_Lander wrote: »Alatariel75 wrote: »Bry_Lander wrote: »JeromeBarry1 wrote: »Whether in stone or lb it's difficult to imagine anyone being alive at that weight. How old are you?
You do realize there's this thing called the "metric system", which is used in 95% of the world, right? And that measures in that system are in kilograms rather than pounds?
Outside of the U.S., the only other countries still using Imperial measurements are Liberia and Myanmar.
I was told in grade school in the 1970s that the US was going to be completely metric within 10 years and either learn it or become obsolete. 40 years later, metric measurement use is so rare in my day to day life in the US that I honestly can't recall a time besides running (5k, 10k), using a socket set, and occasionally measuring food on MFP where knowing what the metric equivalent to an Imperial measurement would have made any difference in my life whatsoever.
That has absolutely no relevance to the fact that 95% of the world deals in metric...
What is irrelevant is doing something that others do for the sake of doing something that others do.
Nobody said you have to do it, it's about realising that the vast majority of the world uses metric, not everyone on MFP is from the US, and therefore not automatically assuming that a poster is using the imperial system for weight.6 -
JeromeBarry1 wrote: »Whether in stone or lb it's difficult to imagine anyone being alive at that weight. How old are you?
You do realize there's this thing called the "metric system", which is used in 95% of the world, right? And that measures in that system are in kilograms rather than pounds?
Outside of the U.S., the only other countries still using Imperial measurements are Liberia and Myanmar.
Canada too.
Edit: actually Canada is half and half. We use pounds but not miles, and we don't use Fahrenheit.1 -
Iwantahealthierme30 wrote: »JeromeBarry1 wrote: »Whether in stone or lb it's difficult to imagine anyone being alive at that weight. How old are you?
You do realize there's this thing called the "metric system", which is used in 95% of the world, right? And that measures in that system are in kilograms rather than pounds?
Outside of the U.S., the only other countries still using Imperial measurements are Liberia and Myanmar.
Canada too.
Not officially.0 -
Alatariel75 wrote: »Bry_Lander wrote: »Alatariel75 wrote: »Bry_Lander wrote: »JeromeBarry1 wrote: »Whether in stone or lb it's difficult to imagine anyone being alive at that weight. How old are you?
You do realize there's this thing called the "metric system", which is used in 95% of the world, right? And that measures in that system are in kilograms rather than pounds?
Outside of the U.S., the only other countries still using Imperial measurements are Liberia and Myanmar.
I was told in grade school in the 1970s that the US was going to be completely metric within 10 years and either learn it or become obsolete. 40 years later, metric measurement use is so rare in my day to day life in the US that I honestly can't recall a time besides running (5k, 10k), using a socket set, and occasionally measuring food on MFP where knowing what the metric equivalent to an Imperial measurement would have made any difference in my life whatsoever.
That has absolutely no relevance to the fact that 95% of the world deals in metric...
What is irrelevant is doing something that others do for the sake of doing something that others do.
o_0
I'd call that ignorance, not irrelevance. Just because it's not specifically relevant in a person's day to day life doesn't mean that it's not better that a person is aware that it exists and is widely used elsewhere.
Anyone in the US who didn't learn that the metric system exists in kindergarten should sue their school district for negligence.3 -
Iwantahealthierme30 wrote: »JeromeBarry1 wrote: »Whether in stone or lb it's difficult to imagine anyone being alive at that weight. How old are you?
You do realize there's this thing called the "metric system", which is used in 95% of the world, right? And that measures in that system are in kilograms rather than pounds?
Outside of the U.S., the only other countries still using Imperial measurements are Liberia and Myanmar.
Canada too.
Edit: actually Canada is half and half. We use pounds but not miles, and we don't use Fahrenheit.
Canada officially uses metric. It's just been more challenging for those of us in school while the switch happened.1 -
OP, you have a weight range, not an exact weight. It's going to fluctuate from day to day and hour by hour.1
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Nony_Mouse wrote: »Bry_Lander wrote: »Alatariel75 wrote: »Bry_Lander wrote: »JeromeBarry1 wrote: »Whether in stone or lb it's difficult to imagine anyone being alive at that weight. How old are you?
You do realize there's this thing called the "metric system", which is used in 95% of the world, right? And that measures in that system are in kilograms rather than pounds?
Outside of the U.S., the only other countries still using Imperial measurements are Liberia and Myanmar.
I was told in grade school in the 1970s that the US was going to be completely metric within 10 years and either learn it or become obsolete. 40 years later, metric measurement use is so rare in my day to day life in the US that I honestly can't recall a time besides running (5k, 10k), using a socket set, and occasionally measuring food on MFP where knowing what the metric equivalent to an Imperial measurement would have made any difference in my life whatsoever.
That has absolutely no relevance to the fact that 95% of the world deals in metric...
What is irrelevant is doing something that others do for the sake of doing something that others do.
Nobody said you have to do it, it's about realising that the vast majority of the world uses metric, not everyone on MFP is from the US, and therefore not automatically assuming that a poster is using the imperial system for weight.
Well, this IS a US site, for which there are rules such as writing in English, etc.
Before I went to a Spanish speaking country, I learned enough Spanish to get by. If I were participating on a non-US forum, I'd brush up on the conventions for that country.
But then, I'm the sort of person who reads the stickies too.13 -
kshama2001 wrote: »Nony_Mouse wrote: »Bry_Lander wrote: »Alatariel75 wrote: »Bry_Lander wrote: »JeromeBarry1 wrote: »Whether in stone or lb it's difficult to imagine anyone being alive at that weight. How old are you?
You do realize there's this thing called the "metric system", which is used in 95% of the world, right? And that measures in that system are in kilograms rather than pounds?
Outside of the U.S., the only other countries still using Imperial measurements are Liberia and Myanmar.
I was told in grade school in the 1970s that the US was going to be completely metric within 10 years and either learn it or become obsolete. 40 years later, metric measurement use is so rare in my day to day life in the US that I honestly can't recall a time besides running (5k, 10k), using a socket set, and occasionally measuring food on MFP where knowing what the metric equivalent to an Imperial measurement would have made any difference in my life whatsoever.
That has absolutely no relevance to the fact that 95% of the world deals in metric...
What is irrelevant is doing something that others do for the sake of doing something that others do.
Nobody said you have to do it, it's about realising that the vast majority of the world uses metric, not everyone on MFP is from the US, and therefore not automatically assuming that a poster is using the imperial system for weight.
Well, this IS a US site, for which there are rules such as writing in English, etc.
Before I went to a Spanish speaking country, I learned enough Spanish to get by. If I were participating on a non-US forum, I'd brush up on the conventions for that country.
But then, I'm the sort of person who reads the stickies too.
It's a US based international site. Considering it specifically gives the option to track in metric, the idea that posters on the forum should convert to imperial is ludicrous.19 -
kshama2001 wrote: »Nony_Mouse wrote: »Bry_Lander wrote: »Alatariel75 wrote: »Bry_Lander wrote: »JeromeBarry1 wrote: »Whether in stone or lb it's difficult to imagine anyone being alive at that weight. How old are you?
You do realize there's this thing called the "metric system", which is used in 95% of the world, right? And that measures in that system are in kilograms rather than pounds?
Outside of the U.S., the only other countries still using Imperial measurements are Liberia and Myanmar.
I was told in grade school in the 1970s that the US was going to be completely metric within 10 years and either learn it or become obsolete. 40 years later, metric measurement use is so rare in my day to day life in the US that I honestly can't recall a time besides running (5k, 10k), using a socket set, and occasionally measuring food on MFP where knowing what the metric equivalent to an Imperial measurement would have made any difference in my life whatsoever.
That has absolutely no relevance to the fact that 95% of the world deals in metric...
What is irrelevant is doing something that others do for the sake of doing something that others do.
Nobody said you have to do it, it's about realising that the vast majority of the world uses metric, not everyone on MFP is from the US, and therefore not automatically assuming that a poster is using the imperial system for weight.
Well, this IS a US site, for which there are rules such as writing in English, etc.
Before I went to a Spanish speaking country, I learned enough Spanish to get by. If I were participating on a non-US forum, I'd brush up on the conventions for that country.
But then, I'm the sort of person who reads the stickies too.
Perhaps those of us not from the US should all just leave then?
I'd call it an English-speaking site, that happens to be owned by a US company. Would be interesting to see the stats on members nationalities, actually.10 -
Canadian, here. Thanks to an influx of US cable TV, books, etc., I'm pretty decent at going back and forth between metric and imperial. I tend to think in terms of pounds when buying fruits and vegetables or weighing myself, weigh my portions in grams, translate Celsius temps into Fahrenheit when talking to my American friends, auto-convert miles to kilometers, etc.0
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kshama2001 wrote: »Nony_Mouse wrote: »Bry_Lander wrote: »Alatariel75 wrote: »Bry_Lander wrote: »JeromeBarry1 wrote: »Whether in stone or lb it's difficult to imagine anyone being alive at that weight. How old are you?
You do realize there's this thing called the "metric system", which is used in 95% of the world, right? And that measures in that system are in kilograms rather than pounds?
Outside of the U.S., the only other countries still using Imperial measurements are Liberia and Myanmar.
I was told in grade school in the 1970s that the US was going to be completely metric within 10 years and either learn it or become obsolete. 40 years later, metric measurement use is so rare in my day to day life in the US that I honestly can't recall a time besides running (5k, 10k), using a socket set, and occasionally measuring food on MFP where knowing what the metric equivalent to an Imperial measurement would have made any difference in my life whatsoever.
That has absolutely no relevance to the fact that 95% of the world deals in metric...
What is irrelevant is doing something that others do for the sake of doing something that others do.
Nobody said you have to do it, it's about realising that the vast majority of the world uses metric, not everyone on MFP is from the US, and therefore not automatically assuming that a poster is using the imperial system for weight.
Well, this IS a US site, for which there are rules such as writing in English, etc.
Before I went to a Spanish speaking country, I learned enough Spanish to get by. If I were participating on a non-US forum, I'd brush up on the conventions for that country.
But then, I'm the sort of person who reads the stickies too.
I think you just demonstrated, in one post, one of the things that bugs me most about a lot of MFP users. There are a huge number of outside the US users. Many veterans, myself and Nony included, are not in the US. It's English speaking, USA isn't the only country in the planet that speaks English. In fact, it could be argued they are American-English and myself, being British, is actually speaking English-English. Trump (not that one) card played.20 -
kshama2001 wrote: »Alatariel75 wrote: »kshama2001 wrote: »Nony_Mouse wrote: »Bry_Lander wrote: »Alatariel75 wrote: »Bry_Lander wrote: »JeromeBarry1 wrote: »Whether in stone or lb it's difficult to imagine anyone being alive at that weight. How old are you?
You do realize there's this thing called the "metric system", which is used in 95% of the world, right? And that measures in that system are in kilograms rather than pounds?
Outside of the U.S., the only other countries still using Imperial measurements are Liberia and Myanmar.
I was told in grade school in the 1970s that the US was going to be completely metric within 10 years and either learn it or become obsolete. 40 years later, metric measurement use is so rare in my day to day life in the US that I honestly can't recall a time besides running (5k, 10k), using a socket set, and occasionally measuring food on MFP where knowing what the metric equivalent to an Imperial measurement would have made any difference in my life whatsoever.
That has absolutely no relevance to the fact that 95% of the world deals in metric...
What is irrelevant is doing something that others do for the sake of doing something that others do.
Nobody said you have to do it, it's about realising that the vast majority of the world uses metric, not everyone on MFP is from the US, and therefore not automatically assuming that a poster is using the imperial system for weight.
Well, this IS a US site, for which there are rules such as writing in English, etc.
Before I went to a Spanish speaking country, I learned enough Spanish to get by. If I were participating on a non-US forum, I'd brush up on the conventions for that country.
But then, I'm the sort of person who reads the stickies too.
It's a US based international site. Considering it specifically gives the option to track in metric, the idea that posters on the forum should convert to imperial is ludicrous.
Look, if someone wants help, it behooves them to ask for it in such a way that will be understood. If they pose their question in such a way that the majority of the potential helpers don't understand them, they're not going to get as good help as if they did frame the question in such a way that effective communication occurred.
Many of my coworkers are ESL and I am sympathetic to that at work and on forums. When I'm answering a question about weight that was framed in stones, I'll convert it and say something along the lines of "in case anyone else was wondering."
Along these lines, I also get really irritated when my native English coworkers use text-speak abbreviations when typing to our ESL freelancers.
The point is, not knowing the metric system exists isn't because it's a novelty. It's simple ignorance. 95% of the world uses it. Ignorance needs to be corrected, not catered for.19
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