A few weeks ago I saw someone’s blog post (I don’t remember whose, nor where it was) that listed that person’s top 50 things that he though every person should know how to do.
Inspired by that, I started thinking about it, and developed my own list (below).
So how 'bout you? What things do you think every adult American should know how to do?
MY LIST (in no particular order):
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Think critically.
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Use proper spelling and grammar, or know where to go to find the answer to a grammatical or othographic question.
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Use a computer, which includes finding specific information on the Internet, sending & receiving e-mail, creating and working with office software files (MS Office, Google Docs, etc.).
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Hold a friendly, interesting conversation with a stranger or group of strangers.
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Change a diaper, and calm a crying infant or child.
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Create a good, professional résumé.
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Select attractive, color-coordinated outfits.
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Iron your own clothing (without melting it, burning yourself, or setting fire to anything!).
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Tie a necktie.
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Braid a little girl’s hair.
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Take a good photograph.
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Play a musical instrument (the human voice counts, as long as you have the musical training to “play” it knowledgeably).
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Speak a foreign language.
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Somewhat related to the above, have some grasp of Latin, or at least a basic conceptual understanding of the modern Romance languages.
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Dance decently well.
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Play poker, chess, checkers, baseball, football, and soccer (or at least know the general rules governing these three sports).
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Sew (well enough to replace a button or mend a tear).
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Cook basic meals.
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Select the best fresh produce.
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Put together a healthy diet.
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Exercise properly.
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Care for a plant, and at least one kind of mammalian housepet.
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Drive a manual-transmission vehicle (a “stick-shift”). And, drive defensively!
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Change a flat tire.
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Check your car’s oil level, and change the oil and filter, yourself.
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Buy a good used car, avoiding lemons, and not paying too much.
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Identify Venus, the North Star, the Big Dipper (Ursa Major), and Orion.
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Shoot a firearm (this includes safe weapon handling, loading/charging, and proper marksmanship basics).
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Identify key figures, eras, and places in American history.
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Know the locations and names of the earth’s continents, and which countries (generally) are on each one. Oceans, too.
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Survive for at least a couple of days in the wild (ie, have a grasp of very rudimentary survival skills).
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Identify threats, security risks, and physical hazards, wherever you are.
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Defend yourself in case of bodily assault (no black-belt required; just know a few fundamentals of self-defense).
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Swim.
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Skip a rock across a natural body of water.
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Fish.
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Perform CPR, the Heimlich maneuver, and basic first aid.
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Develop (and stick to!) a household budget.
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Write a check (you know, those slips of paper that folks used to use to pay bills, before e-bills and online bill paying?).
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Argue a point rationally and convincingly.
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Stay confident and assertive in all situations, even if it means faking it.
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Identify your two Senators and your Congressional Representatives, and know who presently holds the Offices of President, Vice President, and Secretary of State.
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Polish boots/shoes.
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Distinguish north from south, east from west, all by yourself, using natural cues (no GPS, cell phone, map, or signs!).
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Read an actual road map and plan a driving route. No MapQuest, no GoogleMaps!!
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Understand the theory behind old-school land navigation (map & compass).
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Know your family’s general history, and the names of your ancestors at least 4 or 5 generations back.
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Respect your body’s limits with alcohol.
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Floss your teeth properly.
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Tell time on an analog clock.
