Hmmmm, I was taught cm at school.  I'm an Engineer and have worked all over so using a variety of measurements for distance, weight, pressure, power and temperature.  Now (from the comfort of my office) I set up this stuff for clients and look after their equipment which is in all different measurements!  Thank goodness I can change the units here! 
  
  
The best unit of measurement I've used is 'rig feet'