Why do Americans use Fahrenheit per football fields instead of kilometres per hour?
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because it's hot
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People in STEM use metric because it's mathematically easier and is easier for all the foreigners looking at our research to understand. But the average American uses Imperial because there is just not practical reason to change. Changing all our signs and documentation and laws would require tens of millions of dollars and after all that it would still be very likely that the average person would still use Imperial in casual conversation.
Also the Inch is much more practical than the centimeter. And no, the decimeter doesn't count.
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As someone who uses both systems on a regular basis, I can't say I agree there. Sure, as long as you're talking full inches it's convenient, but no more convenient than using cm really. The number will simply be 2.54 times smaller.
But I much prefer working with mm than with fractions of an inch, not just with measurements but especially with tools. If my 12mm wrench is a bit too small, I take a 13mm or 14mm one. Larger number, larger wrench, real simple. When your 1/4" one is too small, you're going to a 5/16" or a 3/8" instead. Much more need for mental gymnastics if you don't know them all by heart.
As for decimeters, we don't really use those outside of school and perhaps certain scientific settings. What's actually used are millimeters and centimeters for measuring small or precise stuff, or meters and kilometers for larger and less precise measurements.
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