Jill-of-all-Trades wrote in post #12019114
We're all jumbled too. It's pretty necessary to understand both systems. Especially living this close to the US.
We're all jumbled too. It's pretty necessary to understand both systems. Especially living this close to the US.
hahaha... I think we inherited this from the US as well 
krepta wrote in post #12019118
I like the good old map and compass when I go hiking. It's nice to carry a GPS device, but when I'm in the middle of nowhere, who knows whether it'll work or not. Either GPS failure, or battery failure, or whatever else. A good old waterproof map and compass do the trick. It's also more satisfying knowing how to navigate on your own.
Even for city directions, I consult a map before I get in the car and turn on the GPS, as a failsafe (my car GPS does once in a while lead me astray, but I just ignore her directions in that case, lol). Albeit, I stopped buying the Thomas Guide and just use Google Maps nowadays. But being prepared this way is still better than not being prepared at all and letting your GPS guide you the wrong way.
On long drives, however, I always carry a folded map (Local of where I will be going, State/Interstate, etc.) with me. A few years ago, some friends and I went up to the Bay Area, hitting Santa Cruz, San Jose, and San Francisco. On one occasion, I felt the GPS was leading us the wrong way based on where I thought we should be going (I planned the route ahead and was sitting in the front passenger seat, which is usually the designated navigator position). I pulled out the folded map, told my friend who was driving where to go, but he opted to listen to the GPS. When we went around in circles, he finally agreed to follow my directions, lol. What happened was that the maps had not been updated in the GPS unit (a portable type) with the latest. It was about two years old.
I keep doing it in my head (or at worst, use a calculator, lol) to keep myself sharp. An online converter (or phone app, etc.) is convenient and instantaneous, but it's detrimental to my brain. I found out the same thing with one-touch dialing on my cell phone. It's fast and practical, but I don't remember the phone numbers in my contacts list anymore because I never rehearse them! I opt for one-touch dial anyway, however, simply because there are so many contacts and phone numbers that I couldn't possibly memorize them all. I just keep in mind the most important ones, like my direct family, closest friends, work (mine) and colleagues, and most important of all, my own phone number.
I like the good old map and compass when I go hiking. It's nice to carry a GPS device, but when I'm in the middle of nowhere, who knows whether it'll work or not. Either GPS failure, or battery failure, or whatever else. A good old waterproof map and compass do the trick. It's also more satisfying knowing how to navigate on your own.
Even for city directions, I consult a map before I get in the car and turn on the GPS, as a failsafe (my car GPS does once in a while lead me astray, but I just ignore her directions in that case, lol). Albeit, I stopped buying the Thomas Guide and just use Google Maps nowadays. But being prepared this way is still better than not being prepared at all and letting your GPS guide you the wrong way.
On long drives, however, I always carry a folded map (Local of where I will be going, State/Interstate, etc.) with me. A few years ago, some friends and I went up to the Bay Area, hitting Santa Cruz, San Jose, and San Francisco. On one occasion, I felt the GPS was leading us the wrong way based on where I thought we should be going (I planned the route ahead and was sitting in the front passenger seat, which is usually the designated navigator position). I pulled out the folded map, told my friend who was driving where to go, but he opted to listen to the GPS. When we went around in circles, he finally agreed to follow my directions, lol. What happened was that the maps had not been updated in the GPS unit (a portable type) with the latest. It was about two years old.
I keep doing it in my head (or at worst, use a calculator, lol) to keep myself sharp. An online converter (or phone app, etc.) is convenient and instantaneous, but it's detrimental to my brain. I found out the same thing with one-touch dialing on my cell phone. It's fast and practical, but I don't remember the phone numbers in my contacts list anymore because I never rehearse them! I opt for one-touch dial anyway, however, simply because there are so many contacts and phone numbers that I couldn't possibly memorize them all. I just keep in mind the most important ones, like my direct family, closest friends, work (mine) and colleagues, and most important of all, my own phone number.
I don't have a GPS also, I have never used one, I only carry my 3 reliable map BOOKS hehe I used them last time when I went to pick up my SUV. I dunno, Its more secured and sure footed. for something that important I don't to rely on something that could potentially lose power, short out or something hehe
btw, I still do manual calculation... usually after every meal...when calculating for the bill haha
you will be surprised how many times you have had food for free 
