Count to 10

Britain has an uneasy relationship with metric units. Metrication was the official policy of governments of all colours from the middle of last century, but was not a vote-winner and was often beset with public reluctance and political timidity. A Metrication Board was established in 1962, but dissolved in 1980, with many non-metric measures still in use. Even joining the EEC in 1973, which should have ensured full metrication, was not enough to bring it about; EEC directives were modified to accommodate the recalcitrant British, rather than bringing the new arrivals into line - possibly a straw in the wind

The current consequence is a confusing, worst-of-both-worlds muddle. Traffic signage and general conversation is in miles, yards and feet, but Ordnance Survey maps have grids in kilometers. Fuel goes into cars in litres, but fuel economy is likely to be quoted in miles per gallon. Builders specify doors in inches and door frames in millimeters. Butter is sold in grams, but milk might be in litres or pints. Beer comes from pumps at the bar in pints, but in bottles or cans will be in millilitres. Farmers must think simultaneously in acres and hectares

The list of these anomalies seems endless - probably we all have our favourite example. Most honey is still sold in jars that are 1lb, 12oz or 8oz in size, though (if sold by a retailer) it must be labelled with the metric units (454g, 340g etc) displayed more prominently and at a specified text size. The most conservative beekeepers use only plain, squat, round jars with a metal, screw (not twist-off) lid; this is also the only jar that is acceptable for exhibiting in a honey show. I wonder if things might have changed more quickly if a pound was slightly more than 500g, rather than slightly less; switching to the new standard could then have led to either a price reduction per jar, or selling slightly less honey for the same price 

I am helping with the bulk buying and distribution of honey jars for our association. Five different jar shapes and sizes, four different lid sizes. Different jar sizes have a different number of jars per box. Lids are delivered in bulk and must be split into batches to pair with the number of jars in each box. A clear head and methodical approach is required. These are the traditional 1lb lids, to be split into bags of 72. Of course: half a gross!