2002-10-13 It all boils down to something very simple. In recent historic times, Britain was a great empire. Like the US now, they tried to force their ways and customs on the people of the world, including their method of measuring. But, that empire is gone. Now, instead of Britons telling others what to do and how to measure, others are telling them. They can't stand it. The resistance and hatred of the EU stems from the fact that the EU is composed of countries and cultures that were rivals and enemies of Britain in its heyday. Seeing metric in front of you every day is a constant reminder that the people you once controlled or rivalled, are now controlling you. And this is thought to be a national shame.
John ----- Original Message ----- From: "Harry Wyeth" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "U.S. Metric Association" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Sunday, 2002-10-13 07:18 Subject: [USMA:22665] England and the Continent > Since there seem to be as many from the UK and Europe on this list as > Americans, I thought it would be interesting to relate a conversation I had > recently at a party where most of the guests seemed to expatriate Brits > (mostly technology types). Most of them felt that few people in the UK--in > England, at least--wanted to have very much to do with the EU because > Britain was on the way up economically, and the rest of Europe was headed > downward, laden down by excessive social programs. They seemed surprised > when I related that many in the US view England as being somewhat of a > stick-in-the-mud and unwillling to move forward, and when I said that > Britain can't even fully adopt the metric system, one responded that at > least they sell petrol by the liter. They definately didn't want to use > those nasty euros. > > I think the perception--here in the US--that England is somewhat backward > economically is due to the dreadful reputation of older British cars (vs. > e.g., Mercedes and BMW). There was a great cartoon years ago in Playboy > magazine: the first British astronauts were about to blast off in their > capsule, and one looked up on the bulkhead, where there was a plaque > affixed reading "Electrics by Lucas". > > HARRY WYETH >
