The neat thing about our existence is that everyone gets to experience different lives. Sure, there could be a couple of similarities between a person or two – however, the way we talk, our thoughts, and the things we go through all would be entirely unlike someone else’s.
Growing up in other cultures or simply in a different upbringing can help develop several skills that some people either can’t perform as well or never had the need to learn. Yet, we assume that we are all familiar with those everyday skills like vacuuming and cooking – however, this thread will convince you otherwise:
Someone on Reddit wondered about a similar thing and asked fellow users, “what is a basic skill that you grew up thinking everyone had until you saw others do it so horribly?“. The question received nearly 44K upvotes and 24K worth of both entertaining and sincere comments.
Do you have a skill that you thought was basic?
More info: Reddit
#1 Using Turn Signals
The ability to use a turn signal.
Image credits: Outrageous_Click_352
#2 Politeness
Being polite/having manners
Image credits: Marcella111001
#3 Grammar
Their/there/they’re.
Image credits: donquixote235
#4 Being Able To Read Analog Clocks
I’m noticing that a lot of younger people can’t read analog clocks…
Image credits: NoetherianSimp
#5 Being Able To Figure Stuff Out
Being able and willing to figure stuff out. A lot of basic skills aren’t that complicated. And in this day, if it is complicated, the internet almost certainly has dozens, hundreds, or more, tutorials. Quitting because “I don’t know how” should not be the answer. I wish more were taught to figure things out, or seek the help/answers to get it done.
Image credits: naphomci
#6 Bagging Things
Bagging groceries. I mean, isn’t it common sense to put all the frozen items in one bag, produce in another, raw meat by itself in a bag, cleaners separate from food? Does it really have to be taught that you shouldn’t put a cantaloupe on top of bread?
Image credits: biancanevenc
#7 Knowing Your Words
I don’t want to brag, but I know the difference between “definitely” and “defiantly”.
Image credits: remarkable-bells
#8 Chewing
Chewing with your mouth closed.
Image credits: liton8or
#9 Sewing
Sewing. I thought I was a mediocre sewer because I wasn’t great at cross-stitch and embroidery. Turns out fixing a button or seam is a skill.
Image credits: Philieselphy
#10 Being Gentle With Things
Being gentle with your things. Any time we get help from siblings and their spouses I’m astounded by how roughly they treat all of their things/how rough of a job they’re ok with accepting.
Also when assembling furniture.. My best mate put together a set of shelves using a drill as a driver on the short and easy to insert Allen keyed screws.. Stripped half of the heads and forced a few in at slightly off-angles and also stripped their threads a bit. Like what are you doing bro? Could have just used an Allen key by hand and put it together in the same time without damaging anything.
a number of people have mentioned using their drill/driver with the right torque setting (and an appropriate amount of skill.!). Yes I agree this is perfectly fine! I didn’t mean to say you should never use a driver to assemble furniture, but more that you should know how to use your tools, use what is necessary, and do it with the right level of enthusiasm/strength
Image credits: GlassCannonLife
#11 Emptying The Dryer Lint
Laundry, especially emptying the dryer lint. So many places I’ve stayed had “bad driers” that were packed full of lint! How these people did not start a fire is amazing.
Image credits: [deleted]
#12 Using Computers
I’m still amazed at how many people my age still can’t use computers properly. I don’t mean in the too old or too poor category, I’m talking about the sheer number of people in my age group who skipped past computers and went straight to smartphones. (I’m 21)
Image credits: Arcinbiblo12
#13 Following Written Directions
I’m shocked at how bad some people are at following writen directions. Not travel, but like… assemble furniture, follow a recipe or experiment, read an instruction manual.
Image credits: UnluckyObserver_1
#14 Knowing The Cutlery
I kid you not, I lived with a guy once who had a butler his whole life. Things I taught him:
The funky knife with a hole in it is not useless, it’s a potato peeler
You open cans with a can opener
Nothing needs to be microwaved for 10 minutes
For the record, I really liked this guy and he was incredibly fun and kind.
Image credits: Handsome121duck
#15 Staying Clean
DarkMonkey98 said:
hygiene
chouston333 replied:
This is a big problem.
My parents didn’t teach me good hygiene. I stank all the time and it’s not something people will tell you about. They will complain to people around you.
My wife taught me better hygiene and it has changed my life. I’m doing much better professionally and random strangers are no longer mean to me seemingly for no reason.
I wish there was a good resource I could refer my stinky friends to so they could learn about it.
Image credits: DarkMonkey98
#16 Financial Planning
Budgeting
Image credits: TheYellowBuhnana
#17 First Aid Skills
Basic first aid. Buddy in college got cut and didn’t understand how to make it stop bleeding and bandage/disinfect it properly, I was amazed.
Image credits: epic-tortoise-
#18 Reading
reading, i sit in my highschool english class everyday and wonder how these mfs got past 2 grade reading a whole page in a monotone in one breath
Image credits: BoostedNova62
#19 Troubleshooting
I thought that everyone younger than me knows how to do basic computer troubleshooting.
Turns out a fair of people younger than myself don’t know how to look up answers online, it honestly baffled me.
Image credits: SandpaperVoice
#20 Reading A Map
Reading a map. I grew up traveling long before computers. I’ve handed several adults paper maps while driving and they didn’t even know how to find where we were. I guess it isn’t a skill you need anymore though.
Image credits: scubagirl44
#21 Cooking
Basic cooking skills. I once saw a guy try to cook pasta by dumping raw pasta shells in a frying pan with a little oil…
Image credits: Sneaky_Arachnid
#22 Choosing Words Wisely
Watching your mouth as an adult. I’m pretty abrasive with people that I’m close with, but I know how to be professional, especially in front of customers. Worked with a fair few people in the restaurant industry who just do not get it. Blows my mind
Image credits: thenicestegg
#23 Writing An Email
Writing an email with proper grammar and formatting seems obvious and easy to me, but I see so many people at work who are just the worst
Image credits: TheRealOcsiban
#24 Mopping And Sweeping
Mopping/sweeping
Image credits: ThatGuyWithThatFace_
#25 Doing The Dishes
Washing dishes
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Image credits: 19VimtoBoards