>My 1974 Volvo (which is my favorite car) has English and Mertic parts. What a pain to be under the car and need one or the other - the one that I do not have with me! I have to bring the whole tool box with me! :)

Unfortunately, here in Bolivia we have a certain level of confusion, too. Boards (wood) have measurements like 20 cm. wide, 1 inch thick, and 2 meters long!

Also, for weights, the pounds and multiples are still often used. I believe the pound used here officially has 460 grams. Common multiples are the "arroba" (25 pounds, or 11.5 kg.), and the "quintal" (100 pounds, or 46 kg.).

OTOH, there is one "unit of measure" which doesn't have an international standard yet: money. I expect certain groups of nations to follow the example of the European prototype. For instance, Mercosur, in South America, has already considered a common currency. Perhaps a number of African or Asian countries will form a monetary union. Next - eventually, who knows when - the world will decide that it is better to have a single common currency.

Hilmar.