First of all, I sincerely apologize to everyone for getting off-topic. It won't happen again.
Paul, I agree with you. There is, for whatever reason, a kind of 'stygma' attached to talking metric in this country. I'm not quite sure why but it could have something to do with the hype and broken promises of the 1970s. Since I was born in '75, I didn't experience the failed attempt at conversion. Just this year I've found the courage to speak the language but being the dedicated supporter I am, I can imagine it wouldn't be easy for the average citizen to gather the courage (or even the desire) to break tradition. To do so, many times, invites a snicker or even a hostile anti-metric comment. It takes courage to not back down and make the conversion. In those instances I'll try to explain the quantity in relative terms, and in context, just as was printed in the latest edition of the newsletter. -----Original Message----- From: Paul Trusten <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Dec 6, 2004 11:26 AM To: "U.S. Metric Association" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [USMA:31568] Do you speak metric at ground level? One of the problems with popularizing the metric system in the United States is that it takes courage to "speak the language." Of late, I have been pushing myself to quote the ambient temperature to people in Celsius only, and also to report geographic distances in kilometers only. Even among friends who know of my mission, this is difficult, but it becomes even more daunting when I am out in the madding crowd. This problem can be viewed as either a recipe for conflict or an opportunity for improvement. In any case, I'm driving 80 km today, from Orlando to New Smyrna Beach, Florida, and I plan to use metric statements as an opportunities to promote metric, as it were, at ground level <grin>. Paul Trusten, R.Ph. Editor, "Metric Today" 3609 Caldera Blvd., Apt. 122 Midland TX 79707-2872 USA
