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Harsh vardhan says
This is exactly what I was looking for. Very informative. Thank you.
Tammy says
This makes me feel good because I’ve taught my kids so many of these things; even when they look at me crazy (driving a stick and changing a tire) they are glad I made them do it even through the tears
Rob Clarke says
For those of us in a northern clime I’ll add
Thaw frozen pipes – way to many tragic house fires caused through not knowing this.
Anth says
This is an awesome article! Hours of learning and stemming off of these ideas have occurred since I read it.
Sheri says
Thank you so much. I’m homeschooling my 8th grader, & hey some of this I didn’t even know. Talking about awesome, this is it!!!!
E says
Can we add dance to this list? For occasions that require it.
ViQ says
#31 – Reciting Geography
I used to be horrible with geography in school.. Unfortunately I found this video after I got out of that place..
Animaniacs – Nations of the World
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDtdQ8bTvRc
It is a bit out-dated, but still, the average person cant watch this a few times and NOT learn something; in less than two minutes.
tom says
Great article! Educational and fun, thanks.
Jon says
Good tips.
Regarding learning a new language… Perhaps more important (and far easier) than learning another language would be learning how best to speak to someone who doesn’t speak English very well. Especially where I live, in an English-speaking country but in an area with lots of immigrants, it pains me to watch conversations between native English speakers and non-native English speakers (who don’t speak very well, e.g. my parents ten years ago). The native English speaker will talk at a rate he thinks is normal, whilst the non-native speaker is struggling to understand.
Tips from my own experience:
1. Talk a little slower than usual, but not extremely slowly/condescendingly.
2. Enunciate. If who you’re talking to doesn’t understand, slow down further and sound out each syllable. If they still don’t understand, try to give a very simple definition, a synonym, or write it out on a piece of paper.
3. Don’t attempt to imitate their accent if they have one. It doesn’t work, and they will probably find it offensive.
4. Use simple words instead of more complex words, confusing words, slang, or words with multiple meanings. E.g. “I like this book” as opposed to “I like this novel,” or “The lamp is broken” as opposed to “The light’s broken.
5. Use simple verbs, also. “I’m going to the doctor’s office.” as opposed to “I’m heading to the doctor’s office” or “I’m taking a trip to the doctor’s office.”
6. Remember that the class/textbook out of which they learned English may have used British spelling and vocabulary as opposed to American, or vice versa.
Lisa says
Great list! I’ll be delving into the ones I can’t do yet.
mido says
For those of us in a northern clime I’ll add
Thaw frozen pipes – way to many tragic house fires caused through not knowing this.
watch says
Good tips.
Regarding learning a new language… Perhaps more important (and far easier) than learning another language would be learning how best to speak to someone who doesn’t speak English very well. Especially where I live, in an English-speaking country but in an area with lots of immigrants, it pains me to watch conversations between native English speakers and non-native English speakers (who don’t speak very well, e.g. my parents ten years ago). The native English speaker will talk at a rate he thinks is normal, whilst the non-native speaker is struggling to understand.
Tips from my own experience:
1. Talk a little slower than usual, but not extremely slowly/condescendingly.
2. Enunciate. If who you’re talking to doesn’t understand, slow down further and sound out each syllable. If they still don’t understand, try to give a very simple definition, a synonym, or write it out on a piece of paper.
3. Don’t attempt to imitate their accent if they have one. It doesn’t work, and they will probably find it offensive.
4. Use simple words instead of more complex words, confusing words, slang, or words with multiple meanings. E.g. “I like this book” as opposed to “I like this novel,” or “The lamp is broken” as opposed to “The light’s broken.
5. Use simple verbs, also. “I’m going to the doctor’s office.” as opposed to “I’m heading to the doctor’s office” or “I’m taking a trip to the doctor’s office.”
6. Remember that the class/textbook out of which they learned English may have used British spelling and vocabulary as opposed to American, or vice versa.
Cathy says
Interesting article. I suppose it’s good to be self reliant. I wonder, did you mean for everyone to be able to do all these things at the same point in life, or is it a gradual process?!! I wonder too about notions of self reliance. What, for example, would a person with a disability do with this list if say, they couldn’t drive, or open a tin to prepare a meal? Does that mean they are ‘less than’ ?? Surely we should be aiming for inter-dependence not total independence. Some people have strengths that others don’t and vice-versa, and maybe their strengths can complement another person’s, but be different entirely. Also, developing skills is a life long process. You don’t need to have it all perfect by the age of 25!! Take it from someone who is 46 and still learning…
baja ringan says
Great, interesting, fun, and educational. Thanks.
Rima AbuDayyeh says
Great list! I am working on learning all of these things.
Neha says
That’s a big list. There’s a few things I need to learn. Useful, thank you.
Mallesh says
Its a big list.
lot of things to be learn. very useful.
thanks
last breath says
Great article of things everyone should know. Everyone needs to be self reliant in life. I posted it on my rookie blog to share with my friends.
Kesha C. says
Awesome article! Great list to give to a kid leaving for college for the first time.
LaRubia says
Love this! Happy about how many I know; distressed about how many I don’t.
One I did not see:
When and HOW to offer AND accept an apology.
Stephaine says
Nice that was pretty insightful. Great read.
greg says
How to please a life partner should be on this list.
gteamkrupal says
Wow! Useful collection of wisdom everyone should know.
Shanaldo says
Once I learn to hook up the home theater system, I will have done everything on this list. I think you should add another one though: Surviving a tragedy or losing a loved one, because it’s universal… we all must go through that, despite our best intentions.
Andrew says
A+++ article. Nice guide for a life’s to do list.
John Spencer says
Great list. Looking forward to knocking a few of these skills off my to-learn list.
Theresa says
This list is good but is missing a couple of fundamental things….
1. Using tools in general to make simple repairs is important…so add hammer, screw driver, pliers.
2. Doing laundry not just removing stains is vital to self-reliance.
3. Computer skills in general but specifically being able to navigate across all types of media using a wide variety of devices…you just never know what you might have to improvise with to get the information, print something out or apply for a job.
4. Using public transportation….many many countries and lots of big cities don’t rely on personal cars but on busses and trains.
5. How to sleep anywhere…if you require very specific sleeping conditions it might be difficult to travel, be sick in a different city or country or be a good house guest.
Your Brain Waves says
I think everyone should know how to meditate!
Arianwen says
Yikes! Looks like I have a lot to learn!
Zafer says
Awesome list. Looking forward to learning / actioning some of these new skills, as you are aware we never stop learning until the day we die. Knowledge is power, so get going and act up.
zaffa says
I agree with the teacher who inquired about checkbook balancing. So many young people today do not know how to manage their finances at all. Finance balancing and avoiding bad credit practices should definitely be on the list.
Dano says
I wish my girlfriend would read #5 about learning to drive a manual transmission. I’m pretty sure she’s already ruined the clutch of my car and it’s only a 2008. Nice article.
Michael says
Here’s one list of things I can say I’ve done completely, which probably makes me about 50.
Mukul says
What a great collection of tips!
P.J. Monroe says
I would add, “Learn to take a compliment.”
Julie Anna Bloodworth says
This is a wonderful list. There is only 1 that I would leave off – HOLD A BABY.
I know, particularly with me being a woman, that I should LOVE babies, love the way they smell, how they look and act, etc., but I’m just not a baby person – never have been.
It’s not that I’m scared of holding one, it’s that I just don’t want to.
Not everyone wants to be a parent, and to those of us that doesn’t, we don’t really want to hold anyone else’s either.
Mel says
I’m off to learn how to parallel park (last time I did it was in my driving test, way too many years ago!) and jump start a car. Apart from that I’m now feeling surprisingly competent, so thanks very much for that!!
Mariam says
Uh, guess I’ve gotta dedicate some time to learn all of these things! Still 18, so I don’t have a problem with time. Thank you a lot.
Susan says
What an excellent resource! I would add ‘Fix a broken toilet.’ Toilets are so basic and plumbers are SO expensive.
Lizanne says
WOW! I can probably spend a LOT of time learning to do all those things. At least I can tick more than half already. Great list, thank you!
Dennis says
Love your site! Wow … the first one, build a fire, is fundamental but it’s interesting that the next two are computer-related!
Then, number 5 reminds me of my High-School electronics teacher who said “the vacuum tube will never replace the transistor!
Anyway …. love your list …. good fodder for conversation!
Dennis
brains says
This is awesome… especially the one that has to do with win or avoid a fight.