Things Everybody Should Know How to Do

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Irishdude

Member
I remember years ago when Esquire magazine (does that even exist anymore?) ran a story on "50 things every man should know how to do." These included everything from jump-starting a car to throwing a spiral with an (American) football to changing a diaper.

I'm wondering if anyone has thoughts on what some essential skills are for the modern age? One skill I have found very useful is the ability to stand up in front of a group and speak, either extemperaneously or from notes.
 

Change a tire and jump start a battery. I was watching from my window, several young men couldn't do it. After about 5 minutes they figured out what side to put the cables on, then just stood around waiting, but no one started their car engines..... like they were charging a cellphone. I fell out of my chair laughing. Later that day an older guy came and jumped started the battery in a few seconds like it is done normally.
 
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Years ago, I changed a flat tire when the jack hooked onto the bumper, but these days I would call AAA Road Service for tires or a dead battery. However, I do have an air pump in the trunk that runs off the car battery if a tire just has a leak.

Other:
For me, cooking, doing laundry, etc. is a "given", since there's no one but me here to do it.
Making minor repairs at home, but recognizing when it's better to call a professional
Being responsible with bills and paying on time
Having some kind of budget to keep from overspending
Staying aware of surroundings to be safe
Developing an ability to avoid confrontations, remembering that seniors can be easily overcome
 
I think every man should know when not to speak. Saying nothing can sometimes convey much more. Plus, at times it keeps others guessing, which at times can be a good thing.

How about parallel parking under pressure in front of an audience of people you have never met before? Remaining calm when asked to assemble IKEA furniture. *sigh*.

Tying a Double Windsor in such a way that it looks like a smaller single Windsor. My dad taught me that one.

Rev matching in a manual transmission car under braking.

Changing a wheel on a car without getting my clothes dirty.

Making it look like you have planned everything, even when you are clearly making it up as you go along.

Oh, and wiring a British plug for a home electrical appliance -- preferably without electrocuting oneself.:

 
Irishdude said:
I remember years ago when Esquire magazine (does that even exist anymore?) ran a story on "50 things every man should know how to do." These included everything from jump-starting a car to throwing a spiral with an (American) football to changing a diaper.

I'm wondering if anyone has thoughts on what some essential skills are for the modern age? One skill I have found very useful is the ability to stand up in front of a group and speak, either extemperaneously or from notes.
Click to expand...
One that thing that confused both my sisters was having to drive a manual shift. I've had no problems adjusting to doing that and in fact I had several jobs where I had to be driving a 4 to 6-speed truck.

Funny thing how my sister had kids and so that's how I learned to change diapers my mother was of course surprised that I even understood the methodology using cloth diapers washing them out and such like that.
 
When I was a teenager I didn't know anyone that owned an automatic transmission car.

My daughter got her first car when she was in college. I taught her simple things, check the oil, change a tire, jump start, etc. She learned well and now she teaches me about computers and smart phones.

I never did do the diaper thing.
 
Magna-Carta said:
I think every man should know when not to speak. Saying nothing can sometimes convey much more. Plus, at times it keeps others guessing, which at times can be a good thing.

How about parallel parking under pressure in front of an audience of people you have never met before? Remaining calm when asked to assemble IKEA furniture. *sigh*.

Tying a Double Windsor in such a way that it looks like a smaller single Windsor. My dad taught me that one.

Rev matching in a manual transmission car under braking.

Changing a wheel on a car without getting my clothes dirty.

Making it look like you have planned everything, even when you are clearly making it up as you go along.

Oh, and wiring a British plug for a home electrical appliance -- preferably without electrocuting oneself.:

Click to expand...
Knowing when to not speak is handy with wives/ladies as well. Lol
 
Know how to fact check information.
Be wary of scams.
Understand finances.
Learn how to weigh information from online reviews
Know how to drive.
Know how to swim.
When in an unhappy/stressful situation, take measures to get away/out of it.
Have emergency back up plans (practice fire drills, know the local risks (tornado, hurricane, flood) and follow the recommended guidelines for maintaining stocks of food/water/power source)
Learn and practice stress relief techniques (meditation, breathing, prayer, etc)
Be kind (to yourself as well as to others)
 

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