I'll take that as a don't know then.

These survey results over-simplify the question about the pattern of use and familiarity with metric or Imperial measures.

They don't explore the depth of understanding of metric compared to Imperial and the ability of people to apply their knowledge either way to practical problems.

They don't give any indications of how well people cope with dual measures and whether they would be happier with a single system.

They certainly don't confirm that people hate metric in overwhelming numbers or that they agree with extremeists forcibly ammending signs from metres to yards.

A new topic was created accidently.

It was in response to this from Tony Bennett:

More Survey Results May 26 2003, 3:29 PM

I selected information on Imperial v. metric preference that related mainly to young people, as that was what was being queries.

Here are some more extracts from: "The Weight of Public Opinion":

-------------------------------------------------------

"This document is a summary of all the major research on the subject published since 1997. It covers six major national surveys, carried out by three independent market research companies, and draws on the opinions of 6,030 people"

For the record:

Nov 1997 - RSL - 1005 adults
Dec 1999 - BMRB - 1010 adults
Jan 2000 - BMRB - 1015 adults
Mar/Apr 2001 - ICM - 1000 adults
May 2001 - ICM - 1000 adults
Jun 2002 - ICM - 1000 adults

To these must be added:

(1) the survey by ICM conducted 26-28 Apr 2002 specifically on preference on road and pedestrian signage - again over 1000 adults surveyed

(2) Tescos' survey of their customers, 2001

(3) Independent survey commissioned by Women's magazine Bella on weights and measures, 2002


Some results:

"Three quarters of the British public think in traditional measures; 15%-20% think in metric measures; 7-13% either don't know, or have no strong preference either way"

"Consistently since 1997, just over eight out of ten women say they think in feet and inches, pounds and ounces. Around one in ten prefer metric"

RSL, 1997: 74% find Imperial measures such as pints, pounds, feet and inches 'most convenient for everyday purposes'

ICM, 2001: 74% answered 'pounds and ounces' to the question: 'Do you tend to think in kilos and grams or in pounds and ounces?'

Bella magazine reported: 'In an exclusive survey of 1,000 people, it was revealed that, when it comes to metric, we've still got a pretty long way to go [miles and miles - ed.]...more than 80% (young and old) say they *always* [TB's emphasis] count distances in miles...well over half claiming they have no idea what their weight is in kilograms"

Tesco, 2001: "over 90% of customers still think in pounds and ounces..."

Interesting, Metre Man, that you emphasise what the statistics I have quoted *don't* show.

What the statistics *do* show is a very large majority of British people, old and young, who prefer and think in Imperial measures, the main point we have been making on this bulletin board.

And without metric enforcement, that percentage would soon rise still further

Perhaps it might be fairer if we were given access to the actual results of those so called "Independent" surveys rather than the BWMA summary and inferences.

I remain suspicious of this assumed "preference" for Imperial measures as though people somehow gravitate toward it naturally regardless of age.

All surveys conducted in the UK on the subject of metric measures are in fact surveys of the familiar against the unfamiliar. In such cases the familiar has a head start.

The real test would be to survey people who have had a large amount of exposure to the metric system (eg returning expatriates, Aussies, South Africans (aged 50+) etc. Such people will be comparing the familiar with the familiar.

That would probably account for the much higher figure road signs, especially for young people, who have no experience of them or the opportunity to choose them.

"eg returning expatriates, Aussies, South Africans (aged 50+) etc"

I would love to see the results of a survey in Australia where the question is "How tall are you".

ie no refrence to preference of measure. The results could be divided into "those who chose imperial" and "other" !!

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I would love to see the results of a survey in Australia where the question is "How tall are you
>>

ou might win that one, but the answers to "How much do you weigh?", "How far do you travel to work?", "What is your car's top speed?", "How big is your property?" etc will all be answered in metric.

...becoz the gov't have replaced all the signs!

which is why people say they prefer yards and miles in Britain - because thats whats on the signs

It is interesting that people in Australia give their weight in kilograms. All doctors in the UK weigh you in kilograms so how come Australians made the transition to phasing out stones, pounds, etc?

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Australians made the transition to phasing out stones, pounds, etc?
>>

I don't believe that the Australians ever used stomes. Stones were certainly not used in South Africa. (In my student days I fought in the under 175 pound weight group in Judo).

<<
All surveys conducted in the UK on the subject of metric measures are in fact surveys of the familiar against the unfamiliar. In such cases the familiar has a head start.

The real test would be to survey people who have had a large amount of exposure to the metric system (eg returning expatriates, Aussies, South Africans (aged 50+) etc. Such people will be comparing the familiar with the familiar.
>>

So you're saying force people to use the metric system and then ask which one they prefer?

You can't be equally familiar with two systems. You think in either one system or the other. Nobody can think just as easily in either system. One will always come naturally, depending on the circumstances in which you grew up and what exposure you've had to each system. Which one you prefer is a function of your upbringing and background, because these factors determine which one you're more familiar with.

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So you're saying force people to use the metric system and then ask which one they prefer?
>>

No, what I am saying is that one should locate people who have used both and who have every reason to be equally comfortable with both and ask them. Such peole exist in large numbers in Australia, SOuth Africa, New Zealand etc.