Also being of "mature" years, I was in the military and I was taught to write dates according to the (US) military standard, e.g. 25 Sep 1958, or 8 Aug 2016. I like the simplicity and freedom from misinterpretation so much that I have continued to use that format ever since. Even on my monthly checks that I write to the utility companies.

When I was at school in the 1960's and 70's fractions seemed to occupy a large amount of teaching time. Certainly compared to my teenage daughter's current education where they don't seem to feature.

I think prior to metrication in the UK (currency went decimal in 1971) fractions were more important especially as so many things were sold in dozens which doesn't seem to happen much any more apart from eggs. All the fraction keys on my typewriters are sensible divisions of 12 (1/4, 1/3, 1/2, 3/4). My Silver Reed 100 dating from 1977 has a special decimal point key as well as 1/4, 1/2 & 3/4  so is perhaps a transitional form.

As for metrication, it was never really completed and in the UK we operate with a sort of informal hybrid system although there are clear weights & measures laws. Many sizes of bottled goods are straight conversions to the nearest sensible metric equivalent. e.g. Pickled eggs in the fish & chip shop are supplied in 2.25Kg bottles which is the old 5lb (pounds). We just don't seem to have taken metric to heart in the UK or at least won't have done until all those forced to learn the delightfully eccentric imperial system have toddled off this mortal coil.

Older stuff  tends to be imperial but new stuff tends to be metric when it comes to nuts & bolts. My Brompton folding bike is all metric EXCEPT for the nut that tightens the leather on the Brooks saddle which is 1/2".

That is pretty typical of the imperial/metric mish-mash we use. Another example is petrol which is sold in litres but fuel consumption is given in miles per (imperial) gallon. Nuts