METRICation.US

The Hidden Système International d'Unités and Hindrance to Full Metrication.

By Edward B. Schlesinger

The other day I was shopping for groceries when I overheard three young women talking loudly about which container of milk to buy for their metric cake school project. Their conversation consisted of how many litres of milk to buy when they needed six cups and milk is sold in quarts, half gallons, and gallon containers. I introduced myself and told them a cup is 250 millilitres and multiply the amount by six cups. Knowing this information, they went back and looked over the shelves. One young woman came running back and asked me how many millilitres are in a litre? I said one thousand millilitres in a litre. After a verbal expression of “Oh!” I perceived a light come over their faces as they quickly reached for their purchase and were off! As I think on this experience, I ask myself who is being aided by holding onto two systems of measurement, the SI international units and US customary units? By summarizing the current laws, I wish to show where we as a country are hindered in the process to full conversion to the International System of Units.

According to the CIA Factbook only Burma (Myanmar), Liberia, and the United States have yet to adopt the International System of Units as their official system of measurement.

THE basket, viss, tin and tical would largely disappear from Myanmar if the Ministry of Commerce gets its way.

At a meeting on the development of wholesale centres held in Magwe last month, participants agreed in principle to the government’s proposal to adopt the kilogram as the basic unit for commodities trade in all townships.