# 25 Skills Every Man Should Know **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 13, 2007, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/25-skills-every-man-should-know/419000 "2007-09-13T01:35:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2007, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/25-skills-every-man-should-know/419000/1 "2007-09-13T01:35:04Z")
Hey-I just copied the headline-don’t shoot! 😃 Personally, I think a handful of these are essential skills for either sex. [Full article here](http://www.popularmechanics.com/blogs/home_journal_news/4221635.html). 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. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2007, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/25-skills-every-man-should-know/419000/2 "2007-09-13T01:38:50Z")
What a stupid list. Expert cunnilingus should definitely be in the top five. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2007, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/25-skills-every-man-should-know/419000/3 "2007-09-13T01:43:40Z")
“Protect your computer”? “Extend your wireless network”? You should know how to clean a bolt action rifle, but not know how to shoot? ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2007, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/25-skills-every-man-should-know/419000/4 "2007-09-13T01:47:07Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Rysdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7cd45c/32.png) [@Rysdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysdad)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2007, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/25-skills-every-man-should-know/419000/5 "2007-09-13T01:55:37Z")
I guess changing a car tire goes without saying. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2007, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/25-skills-every-man-should-know/419000/6 "2007-09-13T01:55:47Z")
[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. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2007, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/25-skills-every-man-should-know/419000/7 "2007-09-13T01:58:24Z")
Lame list. I can think of 2500 things that would be in front of those on the list of stuff you need to know. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2007, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/25-skills-every-man-should-know/419000/8 "2007-09-13T01:59:22Z")
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 ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2007, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/25-skills-every-man-should-know/419000/9 "2007-09-13T02:08:44Z")
[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! ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2007, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/25-skills-every-man-should-know/419000/10 "2007-09-13T02:10:23Z")
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 ---
**Author:** ![Shamozzle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shamozzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shamozzle)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2007, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/25-skills-every-man-should-know/419000/11 "2007-09-13T02:10:46Z")
“Drive a stick” needs to be on that list ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2007, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/25-skills-every-man-should-know/419000/12 "2007-09-13T02:14:13Z")
If you can’t drive a stick, you ain’t a man. ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2007, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/25-skills-every-man-should-know/419000/13 "2007-09-13T02:17:09Z")
[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. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2007, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/25-skills-every-man-should-know/419000/14 "2007-09-13T02:17:15Z")
[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! ---
**Author:** ![fishbicycle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aeb1de/32.png) [@fishbicycle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fishbicycle)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2007, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/25-skills-every-man-should-know/419000/15 "2007-09-13T02:21:31Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2007, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/25-skills-every-man-should-know/419000/16 "2007-09-13T02:25:31Z")
#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.”_ ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2007, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/25-skills-every-man-should-know/419000/17 "2007-09-13T02:25:34Z")
[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. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Il\_Palazzo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Lord\_Il\_Palazzo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Il_Palazzo)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2007, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/25-skills-every-man-should-know/419000/18 "2007-09-13T02:28:33Z")
[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? ---
**Author:** ![sinjin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@sinjin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sinjin)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2007, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/25-skills-every-man-should-know/419000/19 "2007-09-13T02:30:49Z")
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. > [@](#): > > \*“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.” 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!! ---
**Author:** ![Charger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df788c/32.png) [@Charger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charger)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2007, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/25-skills-every-man-should-know/419000/20 "2007-09-13T02:31:17Z")
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 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/25-skills-every-man-should-know/419000.md?page=2)