# Things you prefer to do the hard way... **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 12, 2016, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-prefer-to-do-the-hard-way/754607 "2016-05-12T14:55:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![amaguri](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/49beb7/32.png) [@amaguri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amaguri)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2016, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-prefer-to-do-the-hard-way/754607/1 "2016-05-12T14:55:01Z")
I don’t know why, but I hate dishwashers so I always wash and dry everything by hand. I’ve owned a dishwasher at 3 of my previous residences and never once used it. ---
**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:** [May 12, 2016, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-prefer-to-do-the-hard-way/754607/2 "2016-05-12T15:13:40Z")
I like using a bottle opener to open my beer. I rarely get the sort of beer that has twist-off caps, but if/when I do, I would still rather use an opener. Twist-offs somehow cheapen the experience. ---
**Author:** ![OffByOne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/45deac/32.png) [@OffByOne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OffByOne)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2016, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-prefer-to-do-the-hard-way/754607/3 "2016-05-12T15:19:43Z")
> [@amaguri](#): > > I don’t know why, but I hate dishwashers so I always wash and dry everything by hand. I’ve owned a dishwasher at 3 of my previous residences and never once used it. When I have had a dish washer, I have used it for a drying rack when I wash dishes by hand. ---
**Author:** ![Emiliana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f0a364/32.png) [@Emiliana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emiliana)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2016, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-prefer-to-do-the-hard-way/754607/4 "2016-05-12T15:25:16Z")
I cultivate my own ancient grains. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2016, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-prefer-to-do-the-hard-way/754607/5 "2016-05-12T15:33:53Z")
I still write my nursing notes in my own invented shorthand on paper, and put them into the computer later. I’ve got a tablet with a keyboard that uses a cell phone tower to connect to the internet; I could do the charting right there in the patient’s home and submit it immediately like most of my coworkers do. But I prefer not to; I find that I have trouble not “hiding” behind the screen, and I don’t ever want to become that nurse. Scribbling a few notes on paper doesn’t take my attention away from the patient so much. This means I’m often behind in my charting. But I’d rather be a sucky nurse at charting than a sucky nurse with patients. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2016, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-prefer-to-do-the-hard-way/754607/6 "2016-05-12T15:44:37Z")
> [@Emiliana](#): > > I cultivate my own ancient grains. You should brew some [ancient ales](http://www.dogfish.com/ancientales) with those grains!! ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2016, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-prefer-to-do-the-hard-way/754607/7 "2016-05-12T16:15:33Z")
Manual transmission. Driving is so much more fun when you get to shift. > [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > I like using a bottle opener to open my beer. I rarely get the sort of beer that has twist-off caps, but if/when I do, I would still rather use an opener. Twist-offs somehow cheapen the experience. I agree, but not because of the cheapened experience. For me, the bottle opener _ **is** _ the easier way. I often resort to one even for supposed twist-offs. Those damn things never want to twist for me. ---
**Author:** ![CG2305](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/35a633/32.png) [@CG2305](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CG2305)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2016, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-prefer-to-do-the-hard-way/754607/8 "2016-05-12T16:21:31Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > I like using a bottle opener to open my beer. I rarely get the sort of beer that has twist-off caps, but if/when I do, I would still rather use an opener. Twist-offs somehow cheapen the experience. I too understand the pleasure of prying off the cap from a bottle of beer. However, I have discovered that the glass threads on some bottles are not thick enough for this and can break off. I think this can cause a hazard. I’ve since started drinking a beer that does not twist off. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2016, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-prefer-to-do-the-hard-way/754607/9 "2016-05-12T16:27:27Z")
I memorize things instead of putting them in some device. I do math in my head (often faster than on a calculator) ---
**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:** [May 12, 2016, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-prefer-to-do-the-hard-way/754607/10 "2016-05-12T17:04:04Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > Manual transmission. Driving is so much more fun when you get to shift. [Whoops, somehow I missed this one. Me too.](http://img.memecdn.com/Manual-And-Auto-Transmission_o_92025.jpg) I had to go out of my way to buy my manual-transmissioned car a few years ago, as it was one of the last of its kind available. I’m sure Monty Burns will be along shortly to regale us with the pleasures of manually adjusting the spark timing on his Model T. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2016, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-prefer-to-do-the-hard-way/754607/11 "2016-05-12T17:17:40Z")
Dang near nothing, but then I don’t consider driving a manual transmission “doing it the hard way”. It’s the right way. Truth be told, I do still do most of the maintenance and remodeling work around the house. It would be easier and quicker to hire someone but it’s difficult for me to spend the beaucoup extra dollars. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2016, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-prefer-to-do-the-hard-way/754607/12 "2016-05-12T17:20:45Z")
Marriage, apparently. 😛 [QUOTE=Trout Man] Manual transmission. Driving is so much more fun when you get to shift. [/QUOTE] Totally agree. And I also like to wash dishes by hand. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2016, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-prefer-to-do-the-hard-way/754607/13 "2016-05-12T17:25:29Z")
I break the necks of my beer bottles with a wrench. Only manly way to drink beer. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2016, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-prefer-to-do-the-hard-way/754607/14 "2016-05-12T17:26:52Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > Manual transmission. Driving is so much more fun when you get to shift. Yep, I’ve owned many cars and only one was an automatic. I _hated_ it. I’d rather wash dishes by hand. The time it takes to rinse them and load them into the dishwasher is about the same as what it takes me to wash them by hand. ---
**Author:** ![wolf\_meister](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf_meister/32/15202_2.png) [@wolf\_meister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolf_meister)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2016, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-prefer-to-do-the-hard-way/754607/15 "2016-05-12T17:39:40Z")
Rather use hand tools instead of power tools. (Provided that I’m not building a house!!) ---
**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:** [May 12, 2016, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-prefer-to-do-the-hard-way/754607/16 "2016-05-12T18:05:31Z")
Manual transmission bottle opener (even for twist offs) math in my head sanding something by hand instead of a power sander ---
**Author:** ![Ponch8](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponch8/32/9883_2.png) [@Ponch8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponch8)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2016, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-prefer-to-do-the-hard-way/754607/17 "2016-05-12T18:13:20Z")
I often use paper maps (or at least Google Maps printouts) rather than my GPS when driving. Any moron can reach their destination using GPS. ---
**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:** [May 12, 2016, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-prefer-to-do-the-hard-way/754607/18 "2016-05-12T18:14:56Z")
> [@Hari\_Seldon](#): > > I break the necks of my beer bottles with a wrench. Only manly way to drink beer. You use a wrench? What a wimp. I bite them off. ---
**Author:** ![Ignotus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ecc23a/32.png) [@Ignotus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ignotus)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2016, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-prefer-to-do-the-hard-way/754607/19 "2016-05-12T18:15:56Z")
I shave my cheeks with a good old cut-throat razor (I sport a Van Dyke beard). ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2016, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-prefer-to-do-the-hard-way/754607/20 "2016-05-12T18:42:14Z")
> [@Hari\_Seldon](#): > > I break the necks of my beer bottles with a wrench. Only manly way to drink beer. “Open” the bottle? Effeminate. Toss the whole bottle into your mouth, crunch it up, swallow the beer, and spit out the shards. Or eat 'em for the extra flavor. 😃 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-prefer-to-do-the-hard-way/754607.md?page=2)