# Incredibly simple tasks (seemingly) everyone but you can do **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 10, 2016, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-simple-tasks-seemingly-everyone-but-you-can-do/751781 "2016-04-10T08:26:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![k.e.w.t.y](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/aca169/32.png) [@k.e.w.t.y](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k.e.w.t.y)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2016, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-simple-tasks-seemingly-everyone-but-you-can-do/751781/61 "2016-04-12T06:06:30Z")
I have never learned to use chopsticks. Loved ones have tried, over the years, to demonstrate the proper way to use them. It’s always futile. I don’t usually have issues with dexterity but chopsticks leave me dumbfounded…I’ve resorted to using the “cheater” chopsticks that are connected at the top, like tongs, lol. Anyone else chopstick challenged? ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2016, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-simple-tasks-seemingly-everyone-but-you-can-do/751781/62 "2016-04-12T07:26:51Z")
> [@k.e.w.t.y](#): > > I have never learned to use chopsticks. Loved ones have tried, over the years, to demonstrate the proper way to use them. It’s always futile. I don’t usually have issues with dexterity but chopsticks leave me dumbfounded…I’ve resorted to using the “cheater” chopsticks that are connected at the top, like tongs, lol. > > Anyone else chopstick challenged? Very. I also can’t sing. I have to keep telling the choir director at church she’d rather have my Siamese. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2016, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-simple-tasks-seemingly-everyone-but-you-can-do/751781/63 "2016-04-12T07:37:52Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > **Nava** , I can’t conceive of any way to make un-handed scissors. The ones you linked to are right-handed. They work with either hand, as opposed to, say, [these](http://www.3claveles.com/shop/es/niqueladas/5-tijera-modista-varios-usos.html) (it doesn’t show in the picture but they are comfy only with the righ hand). For the ones I linked, you can stick your thumb in one hole and two fingers in the other or vice versa and it’s equally comfortable; the blades are asymmetrical, but the holes have fourth order symmetry. I even do things like switch hands in the middle of a lot of cutting or cut lines which are physically to my left with the left and those to my right with my right, much to the astonishment of wood-handed\* onlookers who apparently also cannot use a screwdriver or wrench in either hand. - They have two mirror-identical things at the end of each arm, but one only works as a paperweight. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2016, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-simple-tasks-seemingly-everyone-but-you-can-do/751781/64 "2016-04-12T07:46:23Z")
> [@Xema](#): > > In a buffet line, the silverware and napkins are usually the first things you encounter. For some recondite reason, I nearly always fail to grab them. After I sit down with my plate of food I notice, and have to go back. It’s a stupid setup. It makes a lot more sense to grab the cutlery once you know what is it you’re going to need. No need for a dessert spoon if your dessert is an apple. Some buffets have started organizing by “temperature zones”, sticking the desserts and cold salads together, then the room-temperature items, then the hot dishes. AFAICT, it makes for a lot of people going back and forth: most people go for the main dishes first (hot, and in theory at the end), then come back for the “complements” (salad, dessert: cold, and in what’s supposed to be the beginning). It may make sense from an energy use point of view but it’s flipped up for usability and flow. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2016, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-simple-tasks-seemingly-everyone-but-you-can-do/751781/65 "2016-04-12T11:26:46Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > As for hot drinks, I like my coffee/tea really, really hot - and it’s still not hot enough to satisfy my family. I probably start drinking it within a couple of minutes, but they drink it immediately, and then ask me. “Is it ok? is it not good? Should I make some more?” I HAVEN’T HAD ANY YET. Sheesh. this reminds me of my dad bitching about my grandmother. she’d heat chicken soup and let it boil for forever, because “she wants it to be hot!” he was like, “it can’t get any hotter than boiling.” ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2016, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-simple-tasks-seemingly-everyone-but-you-can-do/751781/66 "2016-04-12T11:57:39Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > From the “I now know that lots of people have this problem but for awhile I thought it was just me” file: inserting a USB-A connector takes at least 3 tries. The first try is “always” correct, but for some reason it’s off-kilter and you assume it’s wrong. The second is clearly wrong, so you decide that maybe it **was** the first one after all. I think pretty much everyone does this, me included. I’ve seen it held up as [proof that USB plugs exist in four dimensions.](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Bmy7lWOcK0s/Ttq57d8upBI/AAAAAAAADxI/_kweOfpbj9g/w500/usb-4d.png)😃 ---
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2016, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-simple-tasks-seemingly-everyone-but-you-can-do/751781/67 "2016-04-12T12:32:00Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > > [@Chronos](#): > > > > **Nava** , I can’t conceive of any way to make un-handed scissors. The ones you linked to are right-handed. > > They work with either hand, as opposed to, say, [these](http://www.3claveles.com/shop/es/niqueladas/5-tijera-modista-varios-usos.html) (it doesn’t show in the picture but they are comfy only with the righ hand). For the ones I linked, you can stick your thumb in one hole and two fingers in the other or vice versa and it’s equally comfortable; the blades are asymmetrical, but the holes have fourth order symmetry. I even do things like switch hands in the middle of a lot of cutting or cut lines which are physically to my left with the left and those to my right with my right, much to the astonishment of wood-handed\* onlookers who apparently also cannot use a screwdriver or wrench in either hand. > > - They have two mirror-identical things at the end of each arm, but one only works as a paperweight. I’m with **Chronos** on this one. Those original symmetric-handle scissors are still right-handed, in the sense that the sideways twisting pressure applied by the thumb and fingers to the hinge forces the flats of the blades tighter together, rather than further apart. If they are poorly made, with sloppy tolerances, a left-handed grip will cause the flats of the blades to move apart enough for paper to slip between them. To be fair, well made scissors that have a tight hinge don’t flop around like that, and can be used in each hand equally, but there clearly is a difference in lefty vs. righty that has nothing to do with the ergonomics of the thumb hole. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2016, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-simple-tasks-seemingly-everyone-but-you-can-do/751781/68 "2016-04-12T12:58:55Z")
I share many of the deficiencies already mentioned such as the inability to whistle, work an electric can opener on the first try, use a swipe card at a hotel, etc… so let me just win this thing and admit, not for the first time, that I can’t operate a touch screen cell phone. Just _can not._ When eating fajitas I am seemingly the only person at the table who cannot roll them. Everyone has a nice, neat mini burrito and I end up with food dripping down the back of the hand that is holding what ends up being a clump of mooshed up tortilla and fajita filling. As a kid I could never do whatever it is one is supposed to do with a yoyo. I have never been able to see the hidden image in those 3D optical illusion picture things that were big several years ago. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2016, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-simple-tasks-seemingly-everyone-but-you-can-do/751781/69 "2016-04-12T13:07:42Z")
> [@minor7flat5](#): > > I’m with **Chronos** on this one. > Those original symmetric-handle scissors are still right-handed, in the sense that the sideways twisting pressure applied by the thumb and fingers to the hinge forces the flats of the blades tighter together, rather than further apart. If they are poorly made, with sloppy tolerances, a left-handed grip will cause the flats of the blades to move apart enough for paper to slip between them. > > To be fair, well made scissors that have a tight hinge don’t flop around like that, and can be used in each hand equally, but there clearly is a difference in lefty vs. righty that has nothing to do with the ergonomics of the thumb hole. Well, then, these are both-handed because they’re both symmetrical enough and well-made enough to be used with either hand. The immense majority of scissors are both uncomfortable for me to grip (often with either hand too) and work like shit if used with the hand they’re not officially handed for; some, such as most of the scissors sold for children’s use, work like shit with either hand. I linked to Tres Claveles for a reason! ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2016, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-simple-tasks-seemingly-everyone-but-you-can-do/751781/70 "2016-04-12T13:52:17Z")
> [@k.e.w.t.y](#): > > I have never learned to use chopsticks. Loved ones have tried, over the years, to demonstrate the proper way to use them. It’s always futile. I don’t usually have issues with dexterity but chopsticks leave me dumbfounded…I’ve resorted to using the “cheater” chopsticks that are connected at the top, like tongs, lol. > > Anyone else chopstick challenged? 1000 times this. I, too, have had numerous people try and teach me, but I’ll be damned if I can’t ever get the stupid things to work. Cooking in general is one for me. I’m really bad at it and I haaaaate doing it, so I never cared to get better. I’ll just eat fast-food thank you very much. I’m pretty bad at rolling my sleeves up too, but I always blamed that on having too skinny arms ---
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2016, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-simple-tasks-seemingly-everyone-but-you-can-do/751781/71 "2016-04-12T15:45:11Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > Well, then, these are both-handed because they’re both symmetrical enough and well-made enough to be used with either hand. […] I linked to Tres Claveles for a reason! Sorry to belabor the point, but even Tres Claveles considers left/right quite different. [These are the Tres Claveles left handed version](http://www.3claveles.com/shop/en/nickel-plated/22-multi-purpose-left-hand-sewing-scissors.html) of a very similar pair of scissors, with the same symmetric round handles. It’s all about the hinge overlap. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2016, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-simple-tasks-seemingly-everyone-but-you-can-do/751781/72 "2016-04-12T15:57:23Z")
> [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > I’m pretty bad at rolling my sleeves up too, but I always blamed that on having too skinny arms This could simply be it for me too. I work out, so I have decent biceps/triceps but somehow my forearms never got the memo. So perhaps covering the upper arm without rolling down is asking too much of a shirt sleeve. ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2016, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-simple-tasks-seemingly-everyone-but-you-can-do/751781/73 "2016-04-12T18:56:34Z")
I can’t get rich; I never learned how. I can’t build a database no matter what: I just don’t get it. Like others here I cannot handle object that are hot—even objects that others can handle easily. The things I cannot do far outnumber the things I can do. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_Tightlips](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/57b2e6/32.png) [@Joey\_Tightlips](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_Tightlips)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2016, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-simple-tasks-seemingly-everyone-but-you-can-do/751781/74 "2016-04-12T19:25:01Z")
Speaking to other humans… (Seriously, what you all always talking about?!) ---
**Author:** ![quiltguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e47774/32.png) [@quiltguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/quiltguy)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2016, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-simple-tasks-seemingly-everyone-but-you-can-do/751781/75 "2016-04-12T19:53:39Z")
posted by WOOKINPANUB: I have never been able to see the hidden image in those 3D optical illusion picture things that were big several years ago. I’ve got the opposite problem. I am the only person I’ve ever known who CAN see those images(I can even see “depth” in the unglazed, small white and black marble tiles on my bathroom floor) People think I’m lying when I tell them what they should be seeing in those pictures. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2016, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-simple-tasks-seemingly-everyone-but-you-can-do/751781/76 "2016-04-12T19:56:34Z")
> [@quiltguy](#): > > posted by WOOKINPANUB: > I have never been able to see the hidden image in those 3D optical illusion picture things that were big several years ago. > > I’ve got the opposite problem. I am the only person I’ve ever known who CAN see those images(I can even see “depth” in the unglazed, small white and black marble tiles on my bathroom floor) People think I’m lying when I tell them what they should be seeing in those pictures. I can see them, but instead of diverging my eyes as instructed, I CONverge my eyes, with the result that the items appear in reverse-relief: that is, things that were supposed to look like they protrude from the page appear to be sunk into/behind the page. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2016, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-simple-tasks-seemingly-everyone-but-you-can-do/751781/77 "2016-04-12T20:01:52Z")
Those pictures are hard for me, but I like creating them out of repeating wallpaper or tiling patterns in restaurants I encounter. If you hold your eyes the right way on some of them, the pattern will seem closer to you, even moving as if it were closer to you when you move your head, while everything else in the room will be blurry. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2016, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-simple-tasks-seemingly-everyone-but-you-can-do/751781/78 "2016-04-12T20:13:35Z")
Basic drawing. I’m not talking about “Draw Tippy the Turtle.” at all. Basic stuff: Circles, straight lines, etc. If I try to draw a circle it will be very lopsided, of course, but worse as I come back to complete the loop I’m so far off there’s going to be a major jag to finish it. ---
**Author:** ![Jennshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Jennshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennshark)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2016, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-simple-tasks-seemingly-everyone-but-you-can-do/751781/79 "2016-04-12T20:15:36Z")
I can never plug-in a **USB cable** on the first, second, or sometimes even third try. I look at the corresponding shapes, line 'em up . . . and, nope! I’ve taken to just handing wifey the phone/kindle/etc that needs to be charged; she always gets it right the first time. **My shower** : left twisty thing is for hot, right twisty is cold. Nine years later and I still manage to burn or freeze myself at least several times a week (and sometimes both in one shower session). **Transportation \> The car** : the stereo control volume is on the left side of the steering wheel. **The SUV** : there is _no_ volume control on the steering wheel; pressing those buttons turns the cruise control on and off (and on and off and on and off . . .) ---
**Author:** ![Jennshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Jennshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennshark)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2016, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-simple-tasks-seemingly-everyone-but-you-can-do/751781/80 "2016-04-12T20:17:00Z")
> [@quiltguy](#): > > Can’t whistle(wish I could) > > Can’t do a pushup(I think my biceps were removed at birth) > > Can’t do the Vulcan peace sign(this one frustrates me no end) I can Vulcan with my right hand, but not the left. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-simple-tasks-seemingly-everyone-but-you-can-do/751781.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredibly-simple-tasks-seemingly-everyone-but-you-can-do/751781.md?page=5)