A question for the Brits here...

[Vigilante]

So I watch top gear a lot, and there's no mistaking it's a quintessential British show, but they're always talking in miles an hour, miles, feet, etc. Almost never a mention of metric units. Even in scenes when they're reviewing cars and it shows the speedo they're in MPH, in challenges they're always talking "drive XX miles to XX place".

Are road signs and all that good stuff in the UK in metric or old English units? I though we amerikuns were the only ones who used the old English stuff regularly still.

Sorry for the stupid thread but I've gotta know, haha.

 

[Shakermaker]

The Brits have to use the metric system because they're in the EU, but since most Brits don't like the Europian Union (Clarkson being a perfect example) a lot of 'em still use the imperial system.

 

[PimpinPenguin]

Road signs still use the imperial system like MPH, we don't really use metric when it come to motoring. Everything else is usually Metric .

 

[DEATHMASTER]

Didn't the imperial system originate with them?

 

[Eejit]

Correct.


(yay, Metrocop!)

 

[Hectic Glenn]

Yes as said above all our roads have signs relating to miles and speeds in MPH. When we talk about height of people we say 6ft 2 for example, and weight in stones and ounces. The country is supposed to be using the metric system, we just stick with imperial in instances where it's easier to use.

 

[kineaesth]

Here's a little history for you.

In 1802, a British construction firm called J. S. M. Williamson and Son began one of the biggest construction projects ever undertaken - to build an island. 10 years later, they completed the island, and named it New Zealand. They launched it on a cold July morning at 4 a.m. by sliding it down a specially designed ramp. Whilst floating to it's current position through the Pacific ocean, it was hit by a large trading ship bound for America, splitting it in half.
When it eventually ground to an untidy halt, it was in skewed, jagged pieces. The British government then sent out a large container ship of Maori to inhabit the island, and when they decided the Maori weren't good enough, exported some Britishes.

Currently, New Zealand is open from 8-7 weekdays and 8-5 on Saturday. Tickets cost 17.5 Euros. Bring bottled water with you.

 

[Mc Bane]

So I watch top gear a lot, and there's no mistaking it's a quintessential British show, but they're always talking in miles an hour, miles, feet, etc. Almost never a mention of metric units. Even in scenes when they're reviewing cars and it shows the speedo they're in MPH, in challenges they're always talking "drive XX miles to XX place".

Are road signs and all that good stuff in the UK in metric or old English units? I though we amerikuns were the only ones who used the old English stuff regularly still.

Sorry for the stupid thread but I've gotta know, haha.

They have to dumb it down for Americans. Hence the use of an outdated and nonsensical measuring system.

"yerp, aye git 12 crocodile skins to a moonshyne in mah chevy".

It makes far more sense that 1000 metres makes a kilometre (kilometre even MEANS "1000 metres") than some crappy old system that goes [insert random number here] feet (FEET - what is this, the dark ages?) makes 1 [insert equally random name for unit of measurement here]. And let's not get started on gallons etc.

 

[Blackthorn]

I'm usually all for playful American-bashing but that was stupid in quite a few ways. Using imperial measurements isn't "dumbing down" by any account, the imperial system is incredibly flawed but suggesting using it requires less intelligence is totally unfounded. Also, I highly doubt Top Gear was ever taking it's American viewers into account when deciding these things, as nearly every person in the UK uses imperial measures for roads and they don't give a s*** about their tiny US audience. It's just what people are used to, has f*** all to do with intellect. And I think you'll find in America they use metric in scientific use, just like the rest of the world. You had no reason for posting at all, you God damn troll.

 

[Tagaziel]

Dramawhores.

 

[Blackthorn]

I'm sorry you're gonna have to pay up for my dramawhore services.

 

[Raziaar]

Wait a second... they use the imperial system for signs and shit in Britain? Wow... What the ****. Why have we always been getting flack from Englanders for using the imperial system then? BAH! ****ERS!

Canada uses the metric system on their signs... ****ing Kilometers...

And it wouldn't be so bad either, if I wasn't so damn ingrained in the imperial system and it being used here. I do like the metric system better after doing math.

 

[Tagaziel]

I'm sorry you're gonna have to pay up for my dramawhore services.

I didn't? Check your account, I transferred the cash...

 

[nurizeko]

amerikuns were the only ones who used the old English stuff regularly still.

Question answered.




The metric system and imperial system have their places, and this misguided concept that its either one or the other is silly.


Britain uses both, and both are mostly used for what they are best suited for.

 

[Nitre]

But multiples of 12/random numbers are fun!

 

[Omnomnick]

The Brits have to use the metric system because they're in the EU, but since most Brits don't like the Europian Union (Clarkson being a perfect example) a lot of 'em still use the imperial system.

^This.

 

[Cormeh]

Imperial measurements are still the only thing that people know. Older generations were educated by the imperial system, therefore they can't equate imperial to metric. The same goes for younger people, such as me, that can't equate metric to imperial.

 

[Bad^Hat]

Here's a little history for you.

In 1802, a British construction firm called J. S. M. Williamson and Son began one of the biggest construction projects ever undertaken - to build an island. 10 years later, they completed the island, and named it New Zealand. They launched it on a cold July morning at 4 a.m. by sliding it down a specially designed ramp. Whilst floating to it's current position through the Pacific ocean, it was hit by a large trading ship bound for America, splitting it in half.
When it eventually ground to an untidy halt, it was in skewed, jagged pieces. The British government then sent out a large container ship of Maori to inhabit the island, and when they decided the Maori weren't good enough, exported some Britishes.

Currently, New Zealand is open from 8-7 weekdays and 8-5 on Saturday. Tickets cost 17.5 Euros. Bring bottled water with you.

F*CK YOU, it's a fish. You blaspheming Maui's name, boy?

The water bit's true, though.

 

[Iron Kat]

We Britons are sensible which is why we use imperial measurements. If the metric system was used it would probably cause havoc!!! There would be loads more car crashes because people wouldn't be able to tell what bloody speed to go at!!!

 

[ríomhaire]

We changed to metric a few years ago without thousands of car crashes.

 

[Iron Kat]

.....Oh. Ok. Well, I wasn't aware of that.

 

[Reginald]

It's like how I say my penis is 3 and a half inches. Not ten centimetres.




Wut? :|

 

[Iron Kat]

F***in rofld, Reg!!!! With the avatar as well you just cannot do anything but laugh!!!!!

 

[ríomhaire]

.....Oh. Ok. Well, I wasn't aware of that.

It is still a little awkward though. Even now I find myself looking at the speed limit signs and having to equate it to mph in my head, and I'm only 18. It must have been really confusing for older people when it first came in.