On Thu, 12 Feb 2009 08:52:39 +1300 "Payne, Owen" <owen.pa...@ccc.govt.nz> wrote:
> Um, technically it went metric, but they never really had the spine to > enforce it, so all the kids are taught in metric, whilst the rest of the > country uses imperial. If you ask about this anyone over 40 tells you it's > because they find it easier to work out!!!! [snip] Britain actually went metric in 1965, 4 years before New Zealand. Surprising it did at all since it was invented by the French (: I think the only (major?) non-metric country left in the world is the US. The only hangover that's in common usage is the measurement of road distances/speed in miles. For example, the 22m line on a rugby pitch which is really 25 yards. ( in the Netherlands you can still ask for an "ounce" of cooked meat at the deli - although it now means 100g ). And yes, I'm somewhat over 40, and remember being taught basic arithmetic with pounds, shillings and pence as well... Steve -- Steve Holdoway <st...@greengecko.co.nz>
