According to social historian Joe Moran, author of Queuing For Beginners, the notion that imperial measures embody tradition and reassurance accounts for much of their appeal to the British.

BBC: Will British people ever think in metric?

In a conflicted society, it must appeal to the people's sense of political liberalism over their sense of religious tradition.

CNN: For better or worse

Beijing News reports an appeal from environmental groups for residents to light fewer firecrackers and fireworks - an important tradition - in order to keep the air clean.

BBC: China morning round-up: Lunar New Year