Noted at a local Tescos in Essex:

Tescos used to sell 7" Pizzas. They are now 'Small Pizzas'.

The weight has been downsized from 227g. to 217g., although the price has, I think, been reduced as well (now 89p.).

I think this is worth pursuing and it appears to be a policy change. If a sufficient protest is raised, Tescos might relent. Are other supermarkets doing the same? Is there an E.U. regulation behind this?

There is no UK legislation that requires this, although many companies are concerned about the blanket nature of the EC directive.

I wonder if Tesco are also quietly planning to drop imperial markings for loose veg. etc. as well.

It is true that there is no UK legislation which prohibits references to pizza diameters in inches.

Whether the Directive requires it or not is another question entirely, and that would be the subject of whether we have transposed the Directive properly.

Incidentally, I am surprised that Tesco of all companies have taken this action!

Vicki, I fear it is. You see, what these people do, is they erode our culture, and then, once it is hollow, they drop the big one on us... and no one complains as, afterall, metric is superior (so their years of living in a hollow Imperial nation tell them). Sad but true (and inevitable) I'm afraid.

Bryan wrote about metrication: "Sad but true (and inevitable) I'm afraid."

Finally someone who dares to face the truth (which, incidentally, cannot be said of Tony and some others)

Time to go for a walk, mad-man-Conrad.

With your eyes and ears very OPEN!

Advert: Shop at Tescos - the imperial supermarket

Did I not read that "euro mad" Sainsburys have re-introduced imperial pricing after the coup that Tescos pulled off that landed them with greater profits and a healthy climb in share price?

Isn't it amazing what the words "profit and loss report" can do to some people who can lose their convictions at the drop of a (EU approved) hat?

In the US we never refer to pizzas by an inch size even though they may be made that way (who really knows or cares?). We always go for small, medium and large. Always have and always will. The same for our soda fountain drinks.

As for downsizing, we have that here in the US too. Claiming that downsizing is associated with metric is someone really showing desperation. Businesses prefer to downsize to prevent loss of sales one would encounter if the size was maintained and prices were raised. Governments love it too as a downsized product doesn't contribute to inflation statistics.

I had a 7" pizza last night

Did you measure it to be sure?

<<In the US we never refer to pizzas by an inch size even though they may be made that way (who really knows or cares?). We always go for small, medium and large. Always have and always will. >>

In terms of ordering, I agree with that. Many pizza places specify the sizes of these terms in advertising, menus, or wallboards, though. Hungry Howie's for example has small, medium. and large as 10", 12", and 14". (I just got a flyer today and looked)

The sizes are probably not universal across all stores, but I've never noticed anything but inches in the US.

The small family owned pizza parlor I visit just has three metal platters hanging on the wall behind the counter. A large label is affixed to each one with the words: small, medium and large printed on the label. No mention of inches. What you see is what you get.

I ate my pizza before I had a chance to measure it, I'm afraid.

If I had measured it and it was slightly more than seven inches would you have looked at a ruler, found the nearest millimetre, and declared it an internationally metric pizza?

Only hurry up and answer, because I want to put my ColdPlay record on.

I noticed a pizza menu the other day, in Islington, Middx, N1, which was selling not only 12" pizzas, but also 1/4metre pizzas, which I assume is authentick (sic). Sounds authentick when said in an Italian accent. HOwever one has to buy a minimum of 1/2metre of these.

Furthermore a pub, the Red Lion I think, Opposite St. James's Park Tube, has 12" pizzas on it's menu, but also a 1\2metre special to feed two. However when I tried ordering one of these, the chef had run out of the bases, so we ended up with two 12" ones instead for a cheaper price. A lucky escape for 2 BWMA members!

"However when I tried ordering one of these, the chef had run out of the bases, so we ended up with two 12" ones instead for a cheaper price. A lucky escape for 2 BWMA members!"


In truth then, metric sizes are so popular that they can't keep stock. Inch sizes are available because they aren't selling.

'''''In truth then, metric sizes are so popular that they can't keep stock. Inch sizes are available because they aren't selling.'''''

Of course! Metric pizza's taste better than Imperial pizza's. Imperial pizzas are always burnt or undercooked and never have enough sauce, way too much cheese and they turn rotten before they make it to the table. Every square inch is complete hell to eat.

Metric pizzas are always perfectly cooked every time with just the perfect amount of cheese and sauce, they also last much longer, staying warm for hours after ordering. It is so delightful to eat every square centimeter of a metric pizza.

...that reminds me, have you ever noticed that pints of beer go bad before 500 ml of beer?

<<but also 1/4metre pizzas, which I assume is authentick (sic). Sounds authentick when said in an Italian accent. HOwever one has to buy a minimum of 1/2metre of these.>>

How do you buy 1/2 meter of 1/4 meter pizzas? Are these "French bread" style pizzas made on a baguette sold by length?

In the US most pizzas are round (there are a few square or rectangular). A 12" pizza would certainly feed two, and a 1/2 m pizza would be huge.

"Of course! Metric pizza's taste better than Imperial pizza's."

A very good reason for people to chose a metric pizza over an imperial one.

"Imperial pizzas are always burnt or undercooked and never have enough sauce, way too much cheese and they turn rotten before they make it to the table. Every square inch is complete hell to eat. Metric pizzas are always perfectly cooked every time with just the perfect amount of cheese and sauce, they also last much longer, staying warm for hours after ordering. It is so delightful to eat every square centimeter of a metric pizza."

You said it, not me. I'm sure though you are speaking from experience as well as millions of others.



"...that reminds me, have you ever noticed that pints of beer go bad before 500 ml of beer?"

That is because 500 mL runs out sooner then a 568 mL pint assuring a quicker refill of fresh beer. By the time the last millilitre of a 568 mL glass is consumed, the beer has become flat.

Glad to see you have an understanding of the realities of why metric is so much better.

"How do you buy 1/2 meter of 1/4 meter pizzas? Are these "French bread" style pizzas made on a baguette sold by length?"


They could still be round. Instead of them being 300 mm in diameter, they are instead 250 and 500 mm. 500 mm would be the family size. 250 mm is for a couple who are watching their size and 300 mm are for a couple who don't care. Just like 150 mm would be a typical single serving, and 200 mm would be a single serving for someone with a heartier appetite.

And remember John, when it is metric.... it always tastes better too.

<<
How do you buy 1/2 meter of 1/4 meter pizzas? Are these "French bread" style pizzas made on a baguette sold by length?
>>

In Italy, the home of the pizza, take-away pizzas are sold by weight, not by size. You ask for a slice (maybe a big or a small silice), it is weighed and then packaged for you.

BTW, the Italians sell bread by weight as well.

In grams and kilograms, of course!

To "retteb si doof cirtem"

I like - I like! More! LOL!

And what makes me laugh more is that "he" still doen't get it!