[USMA:32322] Re: New metric legislation introduced

[CredoinIesum]

In a message dated 2005-2-28 15:55:09 Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: 1) When going to a grocery store or deli to buy food by the "weight" from a store clerk that will "weigh" the food for you, buy the food by kilogram instead of the pound. If they say their scale can not display in kg, then make them calculate the conversion to lbs. The idea is to get them tired of making the calculations, so that they get a dual scale and begin weighing by the kg when requested. The deli clerk would simply say they only sell in pounds.  I don't think I'd be able to get them to convert, for one they wouldn't know how to.  Now telling them you want a round metric amount, and giving them the odd customary amount, would get you the product you want and make them aware that a customer is being inconvenienced by not being able to order in the unit of choice.   I'd say ask for 500 g, and if they look at you funny tell them it's about equal to 1.1 pounds.  If customers started doing that I'd imagine they would change there scales. (unfortunately it's going to take more than just a few of us doing it)   2) When buying automotive fuel (gasoline, diesel, biodiesel, ethonal, etc.) at fuel stations ask for the amount in liters. If they say their pumps can not display in L, then make them calculate the conversion to L. The idea is to get them tired of making the calculations, so that they get a dual pump and begin dispensing fuel by the L when requested.   Once again, I don't think they'll get tired of calculating the conversion; they aren't going to bother with the conversion, they probably wouldn't even know how.  If you fill up by volume and have someone pumping gas for you, I suppose you could ask for the volume in litres and then when they look confused convert for them.  If a lot of customers did that, I'd imagine they would also change to metric.  Or even constantly saying 'you ought to change your pumps to litres' when paying for the gasoline.  (It would take a LOT of customers to make a difference after the failure Shell experienced when they switched to litres and the customers revolted)   3) When buying produce that you weigh yourself, speak to the store manager and ask that they provide at least one scale which "weighs" in kg and that their produce price signs include the price in $/kg.   Great idea!  I've found that they are usually open to what ever a customer says; and if they believe enough people want it, they do it.  I'd point out that it's inconvenient for to have to convert to pounds when weighing produce out.  (seems like it would be easy to purchase duel unit scales, for customers, going forward until the time that we convert completely to metric)   4) When ordering shipping boxes for your business specify the size you want in mm or cm, and if they say all of their boxes are in inches only, then make them calculate the conversion to mm or cm. The idea is to get them tired of making the calculations, so that they start stamping their boxes with dual units and start printing their catalogs and price lists in dual units.   5) Do the same for other categories.   The only category I'm real 'hard core' with metric usage is healthcare.  I speak kg for my weight and only kg.  If they want it in pounds I will provide them the conversion factor, but it's up to them to do the math.  When talking to my pediatrician I speak of millilitres of milk, not ounces (even when she specifically ask for ounces); and when she ask for body temperature, she only gets Celsius. (so far the pediatrician hasn't had a problem, though she does quick mental conversions so she knows what is 'normal'.)   I actually had one person in healthcare get upset when I gave my weight in kg and told them I don't know it in lbs and wouldn't convert it for her.   As the months go buy, more and more people should be joining our coordinated efforts and the businesses will begin to take notice. The idea is for us to use some of the tactics of the environmental groups, but not their civil disobedience actions. We can also encourage each member to hand out metric flyers in their community on a given day of each month and tell them how they can get involved in the action plans. What do you think? Great ideas.  We have to let businesses know our desire to 'go metric'.  I've spoken to quite a few people that express a like of metric, and a desire for our country to go completely metric.  However, I know of none that have made there voice known.  Even I fall behind in that area. But going forward I will make a conscience effort to let the grocery store know I desire round metric quantities.  Even if I don't make them do the conversions (because I don't think they'd know how or bother to do it), I will ask for the metric amount and give an odd numbered customary equivalent.