# What non-super ability would you like to have? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 9, 2012, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-non-super-ability-would-you-like-to-have/615308 "2012-03-09T18:57:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2012, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-non-super-ability-would-you-like-to-have/615308/21 "2012-03-10T06:43:19Z")
I’d like to be able to do art. Just to draw or paint a picture that doesn’t look like something done by an elementary school student. I’d also like to be able to play guitar. I can play a number of other musical instruments, I can sing, and I can read music. But for some reason, the guitar eludes me. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2012, 10:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-non-super-ability-would-you-like-to-have/615308/22 "2012-03-10T10:00:21Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > For me, I’ve always been jealous of friends who can draw. My idea of a good drawing is a stick figure. Sure, I can draw flames and stuff decently, but I absolutely have an impossible time drawing people and faces. Even cartoon faces are hard, as there is always something wrong with it. Maybe the forehead is too high, or the eyes are spaced too far apart. Even if I concentrate and try really really hard, my humans always look weird. Inanimate objects are a lot easier, but I have a serious problems with perspective, especially of things with curves. Do yourself a favor, and read “Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain.” ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2012, 10:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-non-super-ability-would-you-like-to-have/615308/23 "2012-03-10T10:03:06Z")
Playing the cello. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2012, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-non-super-ability-would-you-like-to-have/615308/24 "2012-03-10T13:18:27Z")
Musical ability. Not just as a technician reading music. Being able to create and write music. So I can pick up more chicks. The ability to be multilingual. I have no natural ability to learn other languages. I would like to know at least one other fluently. So I can pick up more foreign chicks. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2012, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-non-super-ability-would-you-like-to-have/615308/25 "2012-03-10T14:48:27Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Musical ability. Not just as a technician reading music. Being able to create and write music. So I can pick up more chicks. > > The ability to be multilingual. I have no natural ability to learn other languages. I would like to know at least one other fluently. So I can pick up more foreign chicks. It’s good to have a focus. 😃 ---
**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:** [March 10, 2012, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-non-super-ability-would-you-like-to-have/615308/26 "2012-03-10T17:55:39Z")
I also would love to be able to learn languages readily. I have been living in Montreal for over 43 years, have taken courses in French, have tried to speak it, etc., all to no avail. I still cannot understand a news report on the radio or have a coherent conversation. I took three years of German in college and still cannot speak that language either. Some people learn languages about as easily as I learn math. ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2012, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-non-super-ability-would-you-like-to-have/615308/27 "2012-03-10T19:15:10Z")
Learning languages easily is the one I’d like too. I am actually fairly good at it, but I’m sure I’d have been a lot better if I’d learnt languages as a young child - I didn’t start till I was 11 and then the lessons were terrible, thanks to a badly-behaved class and a teacher who was off sick most of the time, with cover teachers who didn’t actually speak the language; really I didn’t start till I was 16. > [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > I lack the gene for a sense of direction. I know it’s genetic because nobody in my family has any sense of direction. I still get lost in my own neighborhood. I walk down the same streets I’ve walked a million times and still cannot figure out how to get where I am going. > > I wish I had a sense of direction. I lack this too, and I think it is actually something physical - a neurological disorder or something. I’ve worked on it a lot and have improved, but I’m still really terrible. Mind you, I’d probably weigh about a stone more if I didn’t always have to walk three times the distance to wherever I go. I build in substantial ‘getting lost’ time to my journeys. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2012, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-non-super-ability-would-you-like-to-have/615308/28 "2012-03-10T21:18:45Z")
Being able to speak fluently. I can do it sometimes, when the planets are lined up exactly right and my brain and mouth are in harmony. But most times, if I have to string six or seven words together, I will flub up somehow. When I listen to people speaking without stammering, mispronouncing, backtracking, and with normal intonation and speed, I am so envious I could die. I also wish I could dance and move gracefully. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2012, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-non-super-ability-would-you-like-to-have/615308/29 "2012-03-10T21:28:32Z")
I’d like to be able to fix things. My brother-in-law is like that. He can fix anything, make anything, redo his bathroom over a weekend, repair his cars, stuff like that. He is a very annoying person - he can fix anything, he makes a buttload of money at his job, he is good to my sister, great with his family and mine, and on top of that he is a genuinely nice person. So I can’t even resent him. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2012, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-non-super-ability-would-you-like-to-have/615308/30 "2012-03-11T14:53:29Z")
> [@Icarus](#): > > The ability to be gregarious, social and immediately connect with people. I feel this would lead to a whole lot of success in many aspects of life that are missing in mine. This. And to juggle. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2012, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-non-super-ability-would-you-like-to-have/615308/31 "2012-03-11T15:41:45Z")
I would like to: Play a musical instrument decently. Be sociable. Have some artistic ability. And be rich. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2012, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-non-super-ability-would-you-like-to-have/615308/32 "2012-03-11T16:29:37Z")
I’d like to be a handy builder. I can draw and design, but not actually build. I so admire those with such skills! ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2012, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-non-super-ability-would-you-like-to-have/615308/33 "2012-03-11T16:48:59Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > Whistling. Yes, this! I want this too, if only to be normal. > [@Shodan](#): > > I’d like to be able to fix things. > > My brother-in-law is like that. He can fix anything, make anything, redo his bathroom over a weekend, repair his cars, stuff like that. > > He is a very annoying person - he can fix anything, he makes a buttload of money at his job, he is good to my sister, great with his family and mine, and on top of that he is a genuinely nice person. So I can’t even resent him. > > Regards, > Shodan Of course you can! Resent him for being a know-it-all! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2012, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-non-super-ability-would-you-like-to-have/615308/34 "2012-03-11T16:54:31Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > Whistling. Anyone can whistle. That’s what they say… easy. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2012, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-non-super-ability-would-you-like-to-have/615308/35 "2012-03-11T17:24:37Z")
Perhaps we can swap. I can draw, and I’m working on learning French\*, but I’d like to be able to read and play music. 🙂 I’d also like to be sociable, able to do that small-talk thing and figure out in the moment what the appropriate social thing to do or not do is. I’d also like to be able to [recognize and remember facial identity](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=542932). [sub]\*I’m a sucker for a French accent. Of course, I am also a sucker for a Romanian accent, Russian accent, Scottish accent, Australian accent, Hungarian accent…[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2012, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-non-super-ability-would-you-like-to-have/615308/36 "2012-03-11T19:44:00Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > \ > > He is a very annoying person - he can fix anything, he makes a buttload of money at his job, he is good to my sister, great with his family and mine, and on top of that he is a genuinely nice person. \ That bastard! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![JohnWhite1974](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b5a626/32.png) [@JohnWhite1974](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnWhite1974)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2012, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-non-super-ability-would-you-like-to-have/615308/37 "2012-03-11T20:02:59Z")
I would looooooooooooove to fly. * * * [Huntington Beach Florist](http://www.hbflowers.com) ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2012, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-non-super-ability-would-you-like-to-have/615308/38 "2012-03-12T00:39:05Z")
This will sound like a joke answer, but it is true: I’d like to be more skilled in dealing with the opposite sex. It’s not a big issue for me now, being long married and not looking around, but, back when, I would have liked to have been better at meeting and interacting with women (in those days I would have said, “girls”). I get along with them fine – in fact, I was (and am) a considerable flirt – but I had no idea how to move beyond that to anything further. I still haven’t any idea. I’ve had an OK number of relationships in the course of my life, but in almost all cases, I was asked out, rather than being the asker. I don’t wish to have been a pick-up artist, but there were times when I wished I had at least a little game. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2012, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-non-super-ability-would-you-like-to-have/615308/39 "2012-03-12T02:13:57Z")
After thinking this over, the non-super ability I’d like is to be good in math. Really good. Fantastically good. Because I’ve always been crap at math and had to struggle with it, and it’s a basic skill these days. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2012, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-non-super-ability-would-you-like-to-have/615308/40 "2012-03-12T03:23:31Z")
> [@Icarus](#): > > The ability to be gregarious, social and immediately connect with people. I feel this would lead to a whole lot of success in many aspects of life that are missing in mine. This. I want charisma. I currently have a negative amount, which makes for a remarkably unpleasant life. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-non-super-ability-would-you-like-to-have/615308.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-non-super-ability-would-you-like-to-have/615308.md?page=3)