Weighing machines typically display weight, which is the force exerted by gravity on an object, rather than mass. While mass is measured in kilograms or slugs, weight is expressed in Newtons or pounds. A spring balance measures weight as a force, while a true balance compares mass against a standard mass regardless of local gravity. Bathroom scales indicate the force between the ground and the user, which is commonly referred to as weight. It's important to note that weight can change based on the gravitational pull of different celestial bodies, unlike mass, which remains constant.