I found this hidden in the burrows of the internet and thought it was funny, because its so true. Along with our AM/PM clock. Its so annoying, but no one here uses the 24 hour clocks or has a good grasp on the metric system. (EDIT: Everyone is taught it of course, but not many ever use it and that sort of defeats the point.) I have to use my calculator to convert miles to feet, and feet to inches, etc. (EDIT: I know how to use the metric system) Oh well I guess I'll just have to learn to deal with it.

DOUBLE EDIT: This isn't about if it is taught or not. Its about the culture. Here you can't walk up to somebody and say, "Oh, yeah I'll meet you there at 17:00." They'll just give you a blank stare. Same goes for the metric system, they know how to use it usually, but not many can grasp distances in their head, say "oh its just a few kilometers from here". People almost always use the imperial system for casual use instead (Feet, yards, inches, etc.)... Hell the comic explains what I'm trying to say way better.


Discuss, or something.

http://s3.amazonaws.com/theoatmeal-img/comics/senior_year/science.png (Unsupported image host)  

Dunno about anyone else, but we were also taught the metric system in school, and the 24 hour clock is insanely easy to grasp.  

I was always taught the metric system...  

i lost it at "5 miniature gerbil penises"  

Posted by Dusty

Dunno about anyone else, but we were also taught the metric system in school, and the 24 hour clock is insanely easy to grasp.

Yeah, I know, I was just talking about social purposes. Here you can't walk up to somebody and say, "Oh, yeah I'll meat you there at 17:00." They'll just give you a blank stare. Same goes for the metric system, they know how to use it usually, but not many can grasp distances in their head, say "oh its just a few kilometers from here"  

Love the oatmeal.  

Posted by Pimpsy G.

Yeah, I know, I was just talking about social purposes. Here you can't walk up to somebody and say, "Oh, yeah I'll meat you there at 17:00." They'll just give you a blank stare. Same goes for the metric system, they know how to use it usually, but not many can grasp distances in their head, say "oh its just a few kilometers from here"

meat  

Posted by Rexx

meat

Intentional.  

I don't really see a problem with AM/PM and you sound like a twat if you speak using 24 hour time in most primarily English-speaking countries (unless you're military). Metric/Imperial is another story however.  

I use the 24 hour clock over the radio and in phone calls.
I use both systems and do not think to convert - it has always been for me 10 meters, 30 feet, 10 yards (I know these aren't accurate but I do minus 3 yards every 100)
Miles and kilometres are likewise
Fluids I use the metric system, I don't like gallons.
I use the metric system in science but have been taught both ways.

I think both systems have their uses, the imperial system is especially useful in the real world because all the measurements are based off things you use/see every day.  

we use the 24 hour clock but no one says "17:00" when speaking, they say 5.