Either people in the UK are stubborn sheep or perhaps they're not the
sheep
at all.
If they are stuck in their ways and don't want to change, then they are
sheep. They are followers and not leaders. Leaders are the first to latch
on to new and better ideas, sheep want to cling to the old and familiar.
Only when the old and familiar is taken away do they change. This applies
to any subject and does not apply only to the metric issue.
Try not to overemotionalise the situation.
The situation is very emotional
People who speak metric are not 'above' or 'better' then people who speak
imperial
Accordingly people who speak imperial are not 'above' or 'better' than
people who speak metric.
I think you implied they are when you said:
1) If I started expressing stuff in m, cm, kg etc when imperial tends to get
spoken it won't be long until I get called "Mr Professor" or "Dr Brainbox".
Hardly an insult but worth pondering over.
The people who would call you by such titles recognize your superiority even
if consciously they do recognize themselves as doing so. We all feel that
those involved in certain professions are superior to others. Professions
that tend to be metric in the US tend to be those that involve a high amount
of smarts. That is something that whitewashing can't eliminate.
If the wording was merely an insult against those who choose imperial
then, fair enough, I got the wrong end of the stick and maybe you should
persue promoting metric by belittling those who prefer not to use it
I'm sure that the BWMA would support you on that..
Belittling for the sake of belittling is belittling itself. But belittling
as a means to defend your position against crude and also belittling
comments is many times a necessity. I might find it equally belittling if
when using metric my patriotism, nationality, etc. are questioned.
Sometimes you have to use greater force against someone then they are using
on you.
It is preferable to try to be kind and sweet when discussing some things
with other people, but not always does that work. If someone is just
incorigable, then harsher methods are a necessity. But, the harshist and
most effictive is the silent treatment.
The UK is not a club. There are almost 60 million people here. Get some
perspective.
And that is suppose to mean what? China has over 1200 million. Am I
suppose to be impressed with big numbers? Are you saying that those 60
million people can't change or at least accept someone in their presence who
chooses to converse only in metric? This is where the sheep mentality comes
into play. Think about it!
Being annoyed is a two way street. You can be equally annoyed with them.
If you have the power you get others to follow your lead. Be a sheppard
among the sheep and lead by example and teaching and not a follower.
I feel you may be oversimplifying things.
First I'm overemotionalizing, now I'm oversimplifying. I must be more of a
mess then the UK measurement situation.
You can pretend that people are sheep - but see how much you can sheppard
them.
A good sheppard who knows where he stands would have no problem. This is
where you have to ask yourself. am I a Sheppard or a Sheep? Do I lead or do
I follow? Or do I use the status quo as an excuse to be just one of the
sheep because I like being a sheep?
A good test would be for you to start speaking metric in front of your
colleagues and see if you have the power to overcome their initial surprise
and eventually get them to use metric even if they didn't before. See if
you have what it take to lead the sheep.
I've heard a lot of arguments - on both 'sides' - but this has to be one
of the most bizzare.
I don't see how. It maybe that you didn't understand it, but it is very
basic.
Dan
