# What skill can you perform better than 99 random people? Please read OP for specifics before answering **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 25, 2026, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387 "2026-05-25T19:13:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.winston_oboogie/32/2945_2.png) [@Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Winston_OBoogie)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2026, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/121 "2026-05-26T20:28:32Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > five thousand dollars What kind of a chump do you take me for? ---
**Author:** ![iamatractorboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iamatractorboy/32/21261_2.png) [@iamatractorboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamatractorboy)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2026, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/122 "2026-05-26T20:28:33Z")
> [@ricepad](#): > > I’m a professional ski instructor. Ok you’re miles better than me. Maybe I should withdraw my suggestion about the skiing. ---
**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 26, 2026, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/123 "2026-05-26T20:34:52Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > I bet I could touch my nose to your knee as well. Allow me to clarify: I could lay my legs flat in front of me and touch my nose to my knee without ending up with a black black eye. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2026, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/124 "2026-05-26T20:40:42Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > While I got you on the line, the prize is a thousand bux? Where’s the remaining $9000? What makes you think there is a remaining $9,000? mmm ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2026, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/125 "2026-05-26T21:01:47Z")
Uh oh. I’d like to hear Burpos whistling I might even toss $1 in a hat. That’s as far as I go, ya know? ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2026, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/126 "2026-05-26T21:11:08Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Uh oh. I’d like to hear Burpos whistling Can anyone burp and whistle simultaneously? ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2026, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/127 "2026-05-26T21:12:47Z")
I know, right? That’s what I was hoping for. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2026, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/128 "2026-05-26T21:13:24Z")
> [@solost](#): > > I have a brain full of random useless facts, which makes me pretty good at trivia. Actually, I’d take on a hundred randos at trivia. Not Dopers, but I feel pretty good about my chances against the man on the street. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2026, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/129 "2026-05-26T21:18:03Z")
Not bragging, but my little Grandson can fart little tunes. It’s uncanny. He ruins grampa jokes about “pull my finger” he flips the script! To the amazement of all still in their seats. We know the pay off…so we run for fresh air. 😄 ---
**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:** [May 26, 2026, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/130 "2026-05-26T21:20:46Z")
> [@Dorjan](#): > > Torquing any bolt to within 1 ft-lb of spec completely by feel. I do not know where/how I picked up this skill other than just muscle memory from years of working on my own motorcycles/boat, but it is uncanny, and it’s been tested. I spent many years running truck repair shops and have always been a stickler about torque. Somethings are less critical than others and I would allow for that with certain mechanics I trusted to properly torque by feel. The only time I tested my torquing was when working on a motorcycle, and the book said to tighten the head bolts tight with a box wrench. This was an old Harley, and they gave no specs for it. I just used the torque wrench to calibrate myself for a box wrench. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2026, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/131 "2026-05-26T21:22:31Z")
“And here is how it would sound like underwater…” "_N0000!_ ---
**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:** [May 26, 2026, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/132 "2026-05-26T21:24:19Z")
I choose bookbinding. I can take a book from electronic text through page layout to printing out pages ready for folding into signatures (electronic, not letterpress), folding the signatures, sewing the signatures into a text block with end papers, rounding and backing the spine into shape, supporting the spine with super and paper, making a case, and casing in the text block (note there are numerous minor intermediate steps that I have not mentioned). There are lots of people in the world who can do this better than I can, but I am willing to bet you won’t find them in any average group of 100 people. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Mouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mighty_mouse/32/7776_2.png) [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2026, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/133 "2026-05-26T21:32:19Z")
Mental arithmetic. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2026, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/134 "2026-05-26T22:32:28Z")
I mean, what are we drawing the 99 people from? The US? The world? Either way, Polish speakers are less than 1% of either, so I could say speak Polish. My Hungarian is far, far, far worse than my Polish, but I’d outdo 99 random people perhaps even more likely than with Polish. I would guess harmonica, too. I can play this numbers game and come up with a good number of skills I can perform better than 99 random people. Pick locks? Yo-yo? Program C64 assembly? Knit? Photograph a wedding? However, if you assembled 99 random people who do these things, I wouldn’t be in the top half of any of them. I’m very much a jack of all trades, master of none. Well, photography would be an exception. I’d think I’d be in the top 5-10% of that. ---
**Author:** ![ricepad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@ricepad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricepad)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2026, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/135 "2026-05-26T22:43:43Z")
Maybe I am, but maybe not. I know more than a few people who are better skiers than I! You may well be better. OTOH, I probably would be better at describing the how and why you’re better. After all, ski instructors are known for standing on the side of a run, usually in a group of other instructors, watching other people ski. Non-instructors spend their time actually skiing! ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2026, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/136 "2026-05-26T22:54:34Z")
My dad (may his memory be a blessing) could whistle and back up a trailer like nobody’s business. I’m pretty good at slide guitar and mental math, but out of 99 people someone could probably outdo me. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2026, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/137 "2026-05-26T23:08:29Z")
I’m pretty good at guessing close to the exact time of day or night. ETA. Without the aid of a clock. Would I pay &100USD to enter that contest? For a good cause okay. ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2026, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/138 "2026-05-26T23:10:27Z")
Oh, I can get up at exactly the time I want without an alarm. ---
**Author:** ![Calder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e99b99/32.png) [@Calder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Calder)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2026, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/139 "2026-05-26T23:36:20Z")
The fun/weird stupid human trick would be I can shake my head like a shaggy dog. (I had a severe underbite growing up. I had to have reconstructive jaw surgery, making my cheeks/jowls connections looser on my face, as well as connected lower on my jaw.) ---
**Author:** ![F.U.Shakespeare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2026, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/140 "2026-05-26T23:40:08Z")
I seem to be better than most people at recognizing similarities between two melodies. Before I learned music, I was always being told I was imagining it. But once I could quantitatively compare the notes, intervals, and chord progressions, I realized I wasn’t imagining it. I also seem to be good at recognizing similarities between two faces (or, the same face in two different presentations). I wonder whether those two skills are related? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387.md?page=8)