# Stuff you do better without looking. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 18, 2015, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuff-you-do-better-without-looking/734993 "2015-10-18T13:28:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2015, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuff-you-do-better-without-looking/734993/1 "2015-10-18T13:28:58Z")
What is something you do where your eyes just get in the way? I suppose this can just be a form of sneakbragging, but seriously, for some activities, looking doesn’t help. I have been moving from using a pick to playing guitar fingerstyle. Not fingerpicking a pattern; more like just using my fingers, kinda Mark Knopfler-ish. I was practicing a tricky transition and realized that the better I got, I tended to look away. Like my eyes would catch on a specific string or finger and distract me. My fingers know the way. How about you - what do you better without looking? ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2015, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuff-you-do-better-without-looking/734993/2 "2015-10-18T13:37:56Z")
Typing. Once I get set in position my fingers will do all the work. They don’t always spell corectktly or use the ripe word, but once I start looking everything slows down. ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2015, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuff-you-do-better-without-looking/734993/3 "2015-10-18T14:15:03Z")
Masturbation. Frankly, I can’t even do it while watching myself. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2015, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuff-you-do-better-without-looking/734993/4 "2015-10-18T15:18:36Z")
Driving. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2015, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuff-you-do-better-without-looking/734993/5 "2015-10-18T15:38:09Z")
Walking. Once I look at my feet, the process becomes deliberate, and that makes it difficult. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2015, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuff-you-do-better-without-looking/734993/6 "2015-10-18T16:47:47Z")
Donating whole blood. I am very afraid of needles, but am an ideal blood donor, no diseases or activities or travel that defers me. So I kind of feel obligated to donate. I’ve never ever seen the needle in my arm, I’d get too scared. My distaste for needles is shared by this guy from Australia, who has donated platelets for sixty years. > **['Man With The Golden Arm' Donates Blood That Has Saved 2 Million Babies](https://www.npr.org/2015/06/14/414397424/man-with-the-golden-arm-donates-blood-thats-saved-2-million-babies)** > > Australian James Harrison, 78, has been donating blood for the past 60 years. His plasma contains a rare antibody for a vaccine that protects pregnant women and babies with incompatible blood types. ---
**Author:** ![Fuzzy\_Dunlop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/848f3c/32.png) [@Fuzzy\_Dunlop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuzzy_Dunlop)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2015, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuff-you-do-better-without-looking/734993/7 "2015-10-18T17:01:03Z")
I went to some museum once with a hands on exhibit that involved reaching your hands in to tie a knot with some rope, but when you looked down into the glass at your hands and the rope, they had optically mirrored the view so everything was opposite what your brain expected. The visual distortion was supposed to make it very difficult to tie a simple knot, but it felt as natural as a normal knot as long as you ignored the visual entirely and did it by feel. So the exhibit didn’t really achieve its stated purposed but it neatly demonstrated how easy it is to tie knots by feel. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2015, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuff-you-do-better-without-looking/734993/8 "2015-10-18T17:21:52Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > Donating whole blood. I am very afraid of needles, but am an ideal blood donor, no diseases or activities or travel that defers me. So I kind of feel obligated to donate. I’ve never ever seen the needle in my arm, I’d get too scared. > > My distaste for needles is shared by this guy from Australia, who has donated platelets for sixty years. > > ['Man With The Golden Arm' Donates Blood That Has Saved 2 Million Babies : NPR](http://www.npr.org/2015/06/14/414397424/man-with-the-golden-arm-donates-blood-thats-saved-2-million-babies) I had the same problem. The sight of my blood being drained for blood tests caused involuntary acute faintness and nausea - I thought I would never be able to donate blood, but I did it and just looked away, and it was fine. Last time I went, I found I was able to look (once the needle was in) without experiencing any problems. I’m O- so it was worth doing. Next time I might try watching as they stick me. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2015, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuff-you-do-better-without-looking/734993/9 "2015-10-18T17:24:37Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > Next time I might try watching as they stick me. You are braver than I am. This article, about James Harrison, does mention his dislike for needles, right at the end. > **[This man’s blood has saved the lives of two million babies | CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2015/06/09/health/james-harrison-golden-arm-blood-rhesus/)** > > Australian James Harrison has donated blood plasma every week for 60 years. His blood is used an injection that saves babies from deadly rhesus disease. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2015, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuff-you-do-better-without-looking/734993/10 "2015-10-18T19:51:28Z")
When I make a long braid in my long hair, the starting several inches of braid, I do entirely unseen with my hands behind my head. But soon my arms aren’t long enough and I need to swing it round in front to do the last few inches. I often screw it up in those last few inches and must begin anew.:smack: The urge to look is almost irresistible, but it really does go perfectly when I dont look, just continue braiding! ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2015, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuff-you-do-better-without-looking/734993/11 "2015-10-18T20:02:48Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > Donating whole blood. I am very afraid of needles, but am an ideal blood donor, no diseases or activities or travel that defers me. So I kind of feel obligated to donate. I’ve never ever seen the needle in my arm, I’d get too scared. > > My distaste for needles is shared by this guy from Australia, who has donated platelets for sixty years. > > ['Man With The Golden Arm' Donates Blood That Has Saved 2 Million Babies : NPR](http://www.npr.org/2015/06/14/414397424/man-with-the-golden-arm-donates-blood-thats-saved-2-million-babies) This (although they don’t want my blood since I am a sexually active gay man). I don’t have any problems getting shots of any kind but I can’t stand to look at the needle going in. I also can’t stand watching other people get stuck, as on TV. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2015, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuff-you-do-better-without-looking/734993/12 "2015-10-18T21:33:48Z")
Tying my shoes. My hands know how to do it. My brain, not so much. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2015, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuff-you-do-better-without-looking/734993/13 "2015-10-18T21:53:56Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Typing. Once I get set in position my fingers will do all the work. They don’t always spell corectktly or use the ripe word, but once I start looking everything slows down. This is pretty much exactly what I was going to write. ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2015, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuff-you-do-better-without-looking/734993/14 "2015-10-18T21:54:18Z")
Pooping. I’m not even sure how looking would work, unless there was some sort of crazy camera in one of those awesome japanese robo toilets. EDIT:The toilets are awesome, but looking wouldn’t be, just to be clear. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2015, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuff-you-do-better-without-looking/734993/15 "2015-10-18T22:16:50Z")
> [@Shoeless](#): > > Driving. 😛 You’re being funny, but it’s kind of true in a way. I remember when I was learning to drive I kept compulsively looking at the road directly in front of my car. It took me a while to realize it’s much easier if you raise your line of site several yards ahead. ---
**Author:** ![eclectic\_wench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ac91a4/32.png) [@eclectic\_wench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eclectic_wench)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2015, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuff-you-do-better-without-looking/734993/16 "2015-10-18T22:25:37Z")
Playing piano. I used to be competent, but now I’m totally out of practice. I can still play a few pieces if I don’t look at the keyboard, though - my brain has no idea how to do this, but my hands still know. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2015, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuff-you-do-better-without-looking/734993/17 "2015-10-18T23:29:51Z")
> [@TBG](#): > > Pooping. I’m not even sure how looking would work, unless there was some sort of crazy camera in one of those awesome japanese robo toilets. > > EDIT:The toilets are awesome, but looking wouldn’t be, just to be clear. FYI, Rule 34 applies. Or at least so other Dopers have told me. Just sayin’ in case you wanted to actually, you know, see such things. ---
**Author:** ![cornflakes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@cornflakes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cornflakes)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2015, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuff-you-do-better-without-looking/734993/18 "2015-10-19T01:17:57Z")
I’ve worked as a mechanic and as a maintenance tech, and there have been plenty of times that it was a lot easier to take a good look and then close my eyes and do the job. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2015, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuff-you-do-better-without-looking/734993/19 "2015-10-19T02:27:32Z")
Tying a necktie. I do it by feel; a mirror only messes me up. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2015, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuff-you-do-better-without-looking/734993/20 "2015-10-19T02:30:03Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Typing. Once I get set in position my fingers will do all the work. They don’t always spell corectktly or use the ripe word, but once I start looking everything slows down. I wish I could get back in the habit of not looking. Since I have bought the computer I have gone back to 2 fingers on each hand typing. I have to look at each letter. I was a good no eyes typer in high school. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuff-you-do-better-without-looking/734993.md?page=2)