25 Skills Every Man Should Know

In My Humble Opinion
1

Hey-I just copied the headline-don’t shoot! :smiley: Personally, I think a handful of these are essential skills for either sex. Full article here.

If you just want to peruse the list, here it is, from the above article:

The List: How to…

  1. Patch a radiator hose
  2. Protect your computer
  3. Rescue a boater who as capsized
  4. Frame a wall
  5. Retouch digital photos
  6. Back up a trailer
  7. Build a campfire
  8. Fix a dead outlet
  9. Navigate with a map and compass
  10. Use a torque wrench
  11. Sharpen a knife
  12. Perform CPR
  13. Fillet a fish
  14. Maneuver a car out of a skid
  15. Get a car unstuck
  16. Back up data
  17. Paint a room
  18. Mix concrete
  19. Clean a bolt-action rifle
  20. Change oil and filter
  21. Hook up an HDTV
  22. Bleed brakes
  23. Paddle a canoe
  24. Fix a bike flat
  25. Extend your wireless network

Since I’ve never tried #5 and #25, I guess I need some remedial training. :stuck_out_tongue:

2

What a stupid list. Expert cunnilingus should definitely be in the top five.

3

“Protect your computer”?

“Extend your wireless network”?

You should know how to clean a bolt action rifle, but not know how to shoot?

4

I think safely use a chainsaw should be on there. I feel much more a man after I bought and subsequently wore out my first chainsaw and had to buy an even bigger one. I also think that proficiency in shooting rifles, pistols, and shotguns should be on the list as well as how to put down a loved but injured animal in the most caring way possible (here’s to you Old Yeller). I would also add knowing how to change an infant’s diaper.

5

I guess changing a car tire goes without saying.

6

[QUOTE=danceswithcats]
2. Protect your computer
[/quote]

With, like, a club, or what?

[QUOTE=friedo]
What a stupid list. Expert cunnilingus should definitely be in the top five.
[/QUOTE]

Word. Hell, that skill is usually one of the first 3 things girls learn about me.

7

Lame list. I can think of 2500 things that would be in front of those on the list of stuff you need to know.

8

Woot! I have done them all.* You girly men may bow at my manliness. You ladies may swoon if you wish.

ETA: Kalhoun is jealous, he probably doesn’t know how to use a torque wrench.

*Including friedo’s addition

9

[QUOTE=Rick]
Woot! I have done them all.* You girly men may bow at my manliness. You ladies may swoon if you wish.

ETA: Kalhoun is jealous, he probably doesn’t know how to use a torque wrench.

*Including friedo’s addition
[/QUOTE]

I’m a she. And I have my own gear-head who can show me how to use a torque wrench. I know you gotta set the little poundie thing, but that’s all I need to know, because he likes to do the torque wrench!

10

Carefull analysis shows that many of these skills are linked.

  1. Back up a trailer --> 15. Get a car unstuck
  2. Sharpen a knife --> 1. Patch a radiator hose
  3. Use a torque wrench --> 2. Protect your computer
  4. Retouch digital photos --> 4. Frame a wall
  5. Perform CPR --> 8. Fix a dead outlet
11

“Drive a stick” needs to be on that list

12

If you can’t drive a stick, you ain’t a man.

13

[QUOTE=TokyoPlayer]
If you can’t drive a stick, you ain’t a man.
[/QUOTE]

Must specify. Three on the tree, three, four, five, or six on the floor, or 5 speed with a hi-low rear, or a full blown Fuller Roadranger? Left out twin-stick Brockways. They are an evil creation.

14

[QUOTE=Kalhoun]
I’m a she.
[/QUOTE]

I’m stunned that Rick didn’t know that. Even with my spotty record on the board, I’m pretty sure I even knew that!

15

I’m only good for six items on that list. Do I have to turn in my man card? My wife will be so disappointed.

16

#3, 5, 22, & 25 are too specialized and border on the useless.

#26 (friedo’s law)

  1. Maneuver your way through a wine list.

  2. The Heinlein List*, inclusive.

*“A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.”

17

[QUOTE=danceswithcats]
Must specify. Three on the tree, three, four, five, or six on the floor, or 5 speed with a hi-low rear, or a full blown Fuller Roadranger? Left out twin-stick Brockways. They are an evil creation.
[/QUOTE]
You only need one to be a man. :smiley:

18

[QUOTE=fishbicycle]
I’m only good for six items on that list. Do I have to turn in my man card? My wife will be so disappointed.
[/QUOTE]
Me too. I could only confidently handle about five.
[QUOTE=TokyoPlayer]
If you can’t drive a stick, you ain’t a man.
[/QUOTE]
Oh well. I guess I’ll just settle for being a guy.

Seriously, I think this list is full of it. Retouch digital photos? Mix concrete? Extend your wireless network? Who comes up with this stuff?

19

Dang I can do all the things on the original list, and I drive a stick. Do I have to turn in my girl card.

I can’t however do many of the above or don’t know if I can because I’ve never tried. How do I know if I’ll fight efficiently and die gallantly until I do. In all likelyhood I’ll just cry like a little girl. Hey, you, give me my girl card back!!

20

With the exceptions below, the list consists entirely of things that will prove valuable upon the inevitable Zombie Apocalypse. And even some of those “exceptions” may be put to use, depending on how bad it gets.

  1. Protect your computer
  2. Retouch digital photos
  3. Back up data
  4. Paint a room
  5. Hook up an HDTV