# What should EVERY American adult know how to do? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 21, 2010, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-every-american-adult-know-how-to-do/551005 "2010-08-21T21:55:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![jordanr2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/838e76/32.png) [@jordanr2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jordanr2)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2010, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-every-american-adult-know-how-to-do/551005/41 "2010-08-22T17:48:14Z")
> [@Acid\_Lamp](#): > > > [@jordanr2](#): > > > > Why the driving-related items on your list? Plenty of American adults get by just fine without cars. > > Because sort of like swimming, there isn’t any real reason to not be able to drive. While it may not be something you do often, or hardly ever, should you find yourself in position where you _need_ to use a vehicle you should be able to do so. There’s plenty of very specialized skills to which the logic of “if you find yourself in _x_ situation you should be able to do _y_” applies, though, and I don’t see why driving stands out. The practice of everyone driving their own cars is not good for the environment, it leads to bad urban design, and it arguably fosters isolation. I’d counter this skill with “you should know how to make good use of public transit or alternate means of transportation (biking, for instance).” ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2010, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-every-american-adult-know-how-to-do/551005/42 "2010-08-22T18:02:13Z")
Oh, god no. I don’t do maps/directions. Never have, never will. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2010, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-every-american-adult-know-how-to-do/551005/43 "2010-08-22T18:12:49Z")
> [@suranyi](#): > > > [@AClockworkMelon](#): > > > > You might be right if “change a diaper” and “braid a little girl’s hair” hadn’t been a part of that list. I call shenanigans. > > The point is that a well-rounded person knows how to deal with babies and children, as well as auto mechanics. A diaper is not a challenge and I don’t anticipate any hair braiding emergencies. And both can be handled with duct tape so there is always that. ---
**Author:** ![NinjaChick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/71c47a/32.png) [@NinjaChick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinjaChick)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2010, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-every-american-adult-know-how-to-do/551005/44 "2010-08-22T18:17:15Z")
I can sum up every one of these lists quite succinctly: “Know the basic skills required to take care of yourself without hand-holding, and also here’s a couple dozen things that I personally think are somehow vital and may even be to me in particular, but are utterly pointless to someone who has a different lifestyle/world-view.” > [@Cyningablod](#): > > 1. Change a diaper, and calm a crying infant or child. > > 2. Braid a little girl’s hair. No, these are things _parents_ need to know. I have no children, no desire to ever change that, and no desire to ever be responsible for a child. > [@](#): > > 1. Take a good photograph. > > 2. Play a musical instrument (the human voice counts, as long as you have the musical training to “play” it knowledgeably). > > 3. Dance decently well. > > 4. Play poker, chess, checkers, baseball, football, and soccer (or at least know the general rules governing these three sports). Why? These have absolutely no practical application. I’ve never in my life played poker, and again - I’m perfectly satisfied without it. (And I’m saying this as someone who is a huge sports fan and has studied several instruments.) > [@](#): > > 1. Drive a manual-transmission vehicle (a “stick-shift”). And, drive defensively! > > 2. Change a flat tire. > > 3. Check your car’s oil level, and change the oil and filter, yourself. > > 4. Buy a good used car, avoiding lemons, and not paying too much. Really? So someone living in Chicago or Manhattan should know not just how to drive, but how to drive a type of car that the vast majority of people _don’t_ drive, and do basic maintenance on it? What the hell for? To perpetuate the idiotic and single-minded dependency on owning a car that the flyover states have? > [@](#): > > 1. Shoot a firearm (this includes safe weapon handling, loading/charging, and proper marksmanship basics). Ah, yes, for all those times that the typical American needs to use a gun. :rolleyes: > [@](#): > > 1. Survive for at least a couple of days in the wild (ie, have a grasp of very rudimentary survival skills). Really? Again, our hypothetical guy in Manhattan who has never been camping and has no desire to do so needs to know a skill that he will literally never, ever use? Why? > [@](#): > > 1. Identify threats, security risks, and physical hazards, wherever you are. > > 2. Defend yourself in case of bodily assault (no black-belt required; just know a few fundamentals of self-defense). I absolute agree - but if you’re doing the first, you’re doing the second. > [@](#): > > 1. Skip a rock across a natural body of water. No. > [@](#): > > 1. Fish. Once more - why? I don’t even eat fish. > [@](#): > > 1. Read an actual road map and plan a driving route. No MapQuest, no GoogleMaps!! Ten years ago, maybe, but why in the world would this be a valuable skill today? > [@](#): > > 1. Know your family’s general history, and the names of your ancestors at least 4 or 5 generations back. Completely impossible for a huge number of people, and utterly pointless. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2010, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-every-american-adult-know-how-to-do/551005/45 "2010-08-22T18:18:00Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > > [@suranyi](#): > > > > The point is that a well-rounded person knows how to deal with babies and children, as well as auto mechanics. > > A diaper is not a challenge and I don’t anticipate any hair braiding emergencies. And both can be handled with duct tape so there is always that. Duct tape on the diaper? Or directly on the baby? Another on my cynic’s list of skills required of every Amurrican: the ability to make people really fucking _hurt_. It doesn’t have to involve duct taping a baby, but if you can’t demolish a weak and needy person in 25 words or less, you don’t belong in the land of the free and the home of the brave. ---
**Author:** ![Kaio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c68b51/32.png) [@Kaio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaio)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2010, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-every-american-adult-know-how-to-do/551005/46 "2010-08-22T19:07:35Z")
> [@Cyningablod](#): > > 1. Change a diaper, and calm a crying infant or child. > > 2. Braid a little girl’s hair. How are these even relevant if someone doesn’t have kids? If _you_ want kids, knock yourself out, but someone else’s kids are not my responsibility. > [@](#): > > 1. Play poker, chess, checkers, baseball, football, and soccer (or at least know the general rules governing these three sports). > > 2. Skip a rock across a natural body of water. These are just silly. Does it really matter if someone has no interest in gambling or spectator sports? Why these? Why not fencing or equestrian skills? For that matter, why not theatre, painting, or other arts? What makes your completely arbitrary list better than anyone else’s completely arbitrary list? And I can’t think of a single circumstance where stone-skipping would be vitally necessary for anything. ---
**Author:** ![Acid\_Lamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2010, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-every-american-adult-know-how-to-do/551005/47 "2010-08-22T19:35:58Z")
> [@jordanr2](#): > > > [@Acid\_Lamp](#): > > > > Because sort of like swimming, there isn’t any real reason to not be able to drive. While it may not be something you do often, or hardly ever, should you find yourself in position where you _need_ to use a vehicle you should be able to do so. > > There’s plenty of very specialized skills to which the logic of “if you find yourself in _x_ situation you should be able to do _y_” applies, though, and I don’t see why driving stands out. The practice of everyone driving their own cars is not good for the environment, it leads to bad urban design, and it arguably fosters isolation. I’d counter this skill with “you should know how to make good use of public transit or alternate means of transportation (biking, for instance).” I don’t disagree with your analysis of driving, but you still should know _how_ to do it should you find yourself needing to. I don’t understand why that is difficult to understand. It is basic life skill everywhere outside of major metropolitan areas. Even in fairly urbanized areas, public transportation can be quite poor, and distances too far to bike reasonably. So when we go hiking for the weekend and I twist my ankle and can’t drive, I have to wait for EMS to come and find me because you couldn’t be bothered to learn to drive a car? That’s just absurd. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2010, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-every-american-adult-know-how-to-do/551005/48 "2010-08-22T19:49:16Z")
> [@Kaio](#): > > > [@Cyningablod](#): > > > > 1. Change a diaper, and calm a crying infant or child. > > > > 2. Braid a little girl’s hair. > > How are these even relevant if someone doesn’t have kids? If _you_ want kids, knock yourself out, but someone else’s kids are not my responsibility. > > > [@](#): > > > > 1. Play poker, chess, checkers, baseball, football, and soccer (or at least know the general rules governing these three sports). > > > > 2. Skip a rock across a natural body of water. > > These are just silly. Does it really matter if someone has no interest in gambling or spectator sports? Why these? Why not fencing or equestrian skills? For that matter, why not theatre, painting, or other arts? What makes your completely arbitrary list better than anyone else’s completely arbitrary list? > > And I can’t think of a single circumstance where stone-skipping would be vitally necessary for anything. I can diaper a baby. In fact, I used cloth diapers when it seemed that nobody else did, and yes, I washed them, too. However, someone who doesn’t have kids, and who doesn’t have charge of kids, has absolutely no need to diaper a baby. Babies should not be handed to random strangers when they (the babies, not the strangers) need to be changed. If a person wants to have a baby, then yes, that person NEEDS to know how to change a diaper, among other things. But for people who don’t want kids, and are not in charge of kids, changing a diaper is not a skill that they need. Heinlein included it in his list because he was of the opinion that everyone SHOULD want babies. He might have included it in his list because he thought males should be able to change diapers, too. But there’s no reason that EVERY adult should know how to do this. I’ve been a little girl with long hair, and I’ve had a little girl with long hair. Again, this is a skill that only certain people will need. As for 16 and 35, again, I think that the writer of the list is letting his/her personal preferences dictate what EVERYONE should know how to do. Why checkers and chess, and not reversi, for instance? Why should everyone know the rules of a sport or sports that they’re not interested in either playing or watching? Hey, I know! Everyone should be able to recognize the various D&D monsters both by image and verbal description! Because _I_ think this is a vital skill! And everyone should know what alignments the monsters are, and how to defend against them. After all, being stuck with a bunch of fantasy roleplaying gamers is just as likely as being stuck with a bunch of football fans. Now, I can get behind the idea that everyone should be able to cook a few tasty meals from scratch, because everyone has to eat. And everyone who drives a car/truck should be able to fill up the gas, and check the oil and air. But it’s perfectly possible to live in certain cities and never need to drive a car. Tying a necktie really only applies to men in certain social classes, with certain types of jobs. I don’t think that my husband even OWNS a necktie that’s in fashion. And women only need to know how to tie one for their husbands or sons, AFAIK. As for ironing…I don’t iron, except for when I sew. I know how to iron, but I also know how to pick out clothing that doesn’t require ironing. ---
**Author:** ![luv2draw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/46a35a/32.png) [@luv2draw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/luv2draw)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2010, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-every-american-adult-know-how-to-do/551005/49 "2010-08-22T20:26:06Z")
> [@Acid\_Lamp](#): > > > [@luv2draw](#): > > > > I know how to check the oil in the car, but I’m not going to change it myself. I’m not going to be changing a tire either. I wouldn’t have the strength to get the lug nuts off that have been put on with a power thingie and I’m not going to try. That’s why I have AAA and a cell phone and don’t venture into the wilderness alone. > > > > And I’m glad I live in NJ so I don’t have to pump my own gas regularly. Yeah, I’ve been to other states and know how to do it and have done it. > > snip. > > You don’t need strength, you have the power of leverage to assist you. Step on the other end of the tire iron and the bolts will break loose. You should do this yourself at least once so that you understand the entire procedure should you find yourself in an area where reception is crappy. You can spend a half hour changing your own tire or og knows how much more time walking to somewhere with a land line. Thank you for your advice. I understand where you are coming from but I’ve been in a situation like this and it didn’t work. Two of us, in fact, I’m a female, the other person a guy. Neither one of us separately nor both of us together could get the bolts to budge. So I know from experience. If I was in a deserted scary area for a long time, I’d ride on the rim slowly instead to get to a better location. Yeah, I know, I’ll probably ruin the rim. Ruining the tire is a given. If it’s a dire situation, that won’t matter. In this case we were on a state highway and a state trooper (NY) called a wrecker for us. It was before cell phones. Since that instance, I’m a lot older with bad back, knees, etc. I’m better off doing something else than trying to do it myself. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2010, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-every-american-adult-know-how-to-do/551005/50 "2010-08-22T20:43:23Z")
I am no longer surprised at your knowing only six accomplished women. I rather wonder now at your knowing any. ---
**Author:** ![jordanr2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/838e76/32.png) [@jordanr2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jordanr2)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2010, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-every-american-adult-know-how-to-do/551005/51 "2010-08-22T21:52:33Z")
> [@Acid\_Lamp](#): > > > [@jordanr2](#): > > > > There’s plenty of very specialized skills to which the logic of “if you find yourself in _x_ situation you should be able to do _y_” applies, though, and I don’t see why driving stands out. The practice of everyone driving their own cars is not good for the environment, it leads to bad urban design, and it arguably fosters isolation. I’d counter this skill with “you should know how to make good use of public transit or alternate means of transportation (biking, for instance).” > > I don’t disagree with your analysis of driving, but you still should know _how_ to do it should you find yourself needing to. I don’t understand why that is difficult to understand. It is basic life skill everywhere outside of major metropolitan areas. Even in fairly urbanized areas, public transportation can be quite poor, and distances too far to bike reasonably. So when we go hiking for the weekend and I twist my ankle and can’t drive, I have to wait for EMS to come and find me because you couldn’t be bothered to learn to drive a car? That’s just absurd. First aid is a basic life skill. Reading is a basic life skill. Driving is not one. I can say with confidence that I’ve never been seriously inconvenienced by not driving. Honestly, beyond the basic prerequisites of making it through life without dying of starvation, I think there are different sets of “skills for all American adults” - urban vs. suburban vs. rural vs. agrarian, and so on. In a dense high-crime city, knowing how to escape a mugger without injury is something everyone should know. On a farm, knowing how to keep livestock or crops healthy is something everyone should know. I don’t mean to derail this thread, but on a little consideration its basic premise turns out to be questionable. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2010, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-every-american-adult-know-how-to-do/551005/52 "2010-08-22T22:02:31Z")
First aid as a basic life skill, but not driving? Nah. ---
**Author:** ![MegaBee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f0a364/32.png) [@MegaBee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MegaBee)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-every-american-adult-know-how-to-do/551005/53 "2010-08-23T13:17:44Z")
Yeah, the geneology thing’s not going to work for a lot of black folk whose last name isn’t Haley. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-every-american-adult-know-how-to-do/551005/54 "2010-08-23T13:30:39Z")
Know how to use a fire extinguisher. Know how to control a fire wtithout a fire extinguisher. Know when to get the heck out and call the fire department. As for driving, even if you are one of those odd ducks who’s able to live, work and eat in the same skyscraper and not even ride a bus more than once a week, you may be on vacation somewhere and need to drive because you want to visit some place (or a friend/family member) that the tour buses don’t go to, or you may be traveling with someone who suddenly falls ill or is simply too tired from driving all day and you need to take over. One of the scariest drives I’d ever been on was with someone who lived in the city, but rented a car to pick up a TV that a similarly car-less friend was giving to them. It was almost to the point of “Bill, I’ll buy you a new TV and have it delivered if you stop right now and call the rental company to tell them where they can find their car!” In reality, it became “Move over. I’ll drive!” ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-every-american-adult-know-how-to-do/551005/55 "2010-08-23T17:10:52Z")
I’m not going to argue with anybody’s items, but I have a few more. Learn how to say no without confrontation, and understand that very few situations can be helped by fisticuffs. Watching television will try to teach you the opposite. TV is a lousy guide to life. Know how to be skeptical; in some lives, this skill is needed every day. **Radical Pi’s** item about recognizing scams is part of this. If you get the urge to gamble, be aware that the house always wins. It’s true you can get along without knowing how to swim. However, if you can’t swim, don’t fish, get on a boat, or step into a river, lake, or pond. Looking like a coward is immensely better than drowning. ---
**Author:** ![Anne\_Neville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-every-american-adult-know-how-to-do/551005/56 "2010-08-23T17:12:20Z")
Take “no” for an answer in various situations, ranging from sex to asking a doctor for antibiotics to all kinds of other scenarios. Understand and accept that rules apply to you, too, even when you don’t like what happens as a result. Cook something reasonably healthy and inexpensive, that you’d be willing to eat. Live within your means. Find and keep a job. Socially acceptable hygiene and grooming. Research a major purchase before making it. Live alone. You should either know how to do all the basic household stuff that needs to be done, or you should know how to find someone who can. Relationships can go sour, so it’s important to be able to make it without one for a while if you need to. Recognize when you or other people need medical help. Basic safety precautions, such as fire safety and safely using any tools or equipment you use. Not doing things if you can’t find a way to do them safely. Read and write well enough to function as an independent adult. Type. This is an essential skill now for most of us. ---
**Author:** ![what\_do\_I\_type\_here](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a5b964/32.png) [@what\_do\_I\_type\_here](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/what_do_I_type_here)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-every-american-adult-know-how-to-do/551005/57 "2010-08-23T17:15:35Z")
> [@](#): > > 1. Braid a little girl’s hair. Why don’t you take a seat right over there. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-every-american-adult-know-how-to-do/551005/58 "2010-08-23T17:18:30Z")
> [@Anne\_Neville](#): > > Take “no” for an answer in various situations, ranging from sex… I’m afraid to ask, but I will anyway. _What_? :eek: ETA: never mind. I read it backwards. ---
**Author:** ![Tethered\_Kite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a5b964/32.png) [@Tethered\_Kite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tethered_Kite)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-every-american-adult-know-how-to-do/551005/59 "2010-08-23T17:19:29Z")
Recognize others as fellow human beings with their own needs, wants, fears and aspirations and learn to treat them with the respect, or at least the courtesy, that you desire for yourself. Learn how to get your needs met without resorting to passive-agressive methods. Be able to identify feelings and learn how to deal with them in a healthy manner. These three things would go a long way toward solving many of our social problems. ---
**Author:** ![Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hazle_Weatherfield)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-every-american-adult-know-how-to-do/551005/60 "2010-08-23T17:22:05Z")
> [@Sattua](#): > > I am no longer surprised at your knowing only six accomplished women. I rather wonder now at your knowing any. Oh, snap! Love that quote! My Additions: Making love well and being able and willing to perform great oral sex. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-every-american-adult-know-how-to-do/551005.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-every-american-adult-know-how-to-do/551005.md?page=4)