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I like your comments!!!! Regarding your comments for points 1 and 2 I would
suggest pulling out a calculator in front of the clerks and doing the
calculations for them, rather than simply doing quick mental calculations. That
way they will have to wait for me to do the conversion and see how much
they are inconveniencing me.
Regarding them doing the conversion, I figured they probably would make an
error on occasion if they did bother to do the convertion. Therefore it is best
that I do the conversion in front of them, as you suggest.
If they weigh the food in kg at the counter and then put the combo "weight
& price label" on the package, the cash register at checkout would have to
be able to accept the input weight in kg, unless the label was dual labeled in
lbs. and kg.
I've already filled out suggestion cards for the primary grocery store I
visit, including suggesting that their newspaper ads include the sale price per
unit using metric units, such as $/L or $/kg.
Regarding the Shell experience, gas stations should have a problem if their
pumps, cash registers, and price signs are in dual units.
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, 01 March, 2005 08:47
Subject: [USMA:32322] Re: New metric
legislation introduced
In a message dated 2005-2-28 15:55:09 Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED]
writes:
1) When going to a grocery store or deli to buy food by the
"weight" from a
store clerk that will "weigh" the food for you, buy the
food by kilogram
instead of the pound. If they say their scale can not
display in kg, then
make them calculate the conversion to lbs. The idea
is to get them tired of
making the calculations, so that they get a dual
scale and begin weighing by
the kg when requested.
The deli clerk would simply say they only sell in pounds. I don't
think I'd be able to get them to convert, for one they wouldn't know how
to. Now telling them you want a round metric amount, and giving them the
odd customary amount, would get you the product you want and make them aware
that a customer is being inconvenienced by not being able to order in the unit
of choice.
I'd say ask for 500 g, and if they look at you funny tell them it's about
equal to 1.1 pounds. If customers started doing that I'd imagine they
would change there scales. (unfortunately it's going to take more than
just a few of us doing it)
2)
When buying automotive fuel (gasoline, diesel, biodiesel, ethonal,
etc.)
at fuel stations ask for the amount in liters. If they say their
pumps can
not display in L, then make them calculate the conversion to L.
The idea is
to get them tired of making the calculations, so that they
get a dual pump
and begin dispensing fuel by the L when
requested.
Once again, I don't think they'll get tired of calculating the
conversion; they aren't going to bother with the conversion, they probably
wouldn't even know how. If you fill up by volume and have someone
pumping gas for you, I suppose you could ask for the volume in litres and then
when they look confused convert for them. If a lot of customers did
that, I'd imagine they would also change to metric. Or even constantly
saying 'you ought to change your pumps to litres' when paying for the
gasoline. (It would take a LOT of customers to make a difference after
the failure Shell experienced when they switched to litres and the customers
revolted)
3) When buying produce that you weigh yourself, speak to the
store manager
and ask that they provide at least one scale which "weighs"
in kg and that
their produce price signs include the price in
$/kg.
Great idea! I've found that they are usually open to what ever a
customer says; and if they believe enough people want it, they do it.
I'd point out that it's inconvenient for to have to convert to pounds when
weighing produce out. (seems like it would be easy to purchase duel unit
scales, for customers, going forward until the time that we convert
completely to metric)
4) When ordering shipping boxes for your business specify the
size you want
in mm or cm, and if they say all of their boxes are in
inches only, then
make them calculate the conversion to mm or cm. The
idea is to get them
tired of making the calculations, so that they start
stamping their boxes
with dual units and start printing their catalogs
and price lists in dual
units.
5) Do the same for other categories.
The only category I'm real 'hard core' with metric usage is
healthcare. I speak kg for my weight and only kg. If they want it
in pounds I will provide them the conversion factor, but it's up to them to do
the math. When talking to my pediatrician I speak of millilitres of
milk, not ounces (even when she specifically ask for ounces); and when she ask
for body temperature, she only gets Celsius. (so far the pediatrician hasn't
had a problem, though she does quick mental conversions so she knows what is
'normal'.)
I actually had one person in healthcare get upset when I gave my weight
in kg and told them I don't know it in lbs and wouldn't convert it for
her.
As the months go buy, more and more people should be joining
our coordinated
efforts and the businesses will begin to take notice. The
idea is for us to
use some of the tactics of the environmental groups,
but not their civil
disobedience actions. We can also encourage each
member to hand out metric
flyers in their community on a given day of
each month and tell them how
they can get involved in the action plans.
What do you think?
Great ideas. We have to let businesses know our desire to 'go
metric'. I've spoken to quite a few people that express a like of
metric, and a desire for our country to go completely metric. However, I
know of none that have made there voice known. Even I fall behind in
that area. But going forward I will make a conscience effort to let the
grocery store know I desire round metric quantities. Even if I don't
make them do the conversions (because I don't think they'd know how or bother
to do it), I will ask for the metric amount and give an odd numbered customary
equivalent.
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