# 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:** 9
**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 27, 2026, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/161 "2026-05-27T12:28:35Z")
I wish I could do that! But I can wiggle my left ear. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2026, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/162 "2026-05-27T12:32:00Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > Here’s something to consider when choosing a skill. Statistically, 100 random people would consist of… > > - **19** would be from **China** > - **18** would be from **India** Well, I’m glad I didn’t claim my Indian-style and Asian-style cooking skills then, which I would gladly put up against 99 rando _Americans_. > [@enipla](#): > > I’ve been driving for 50 years and have never been in an accident, regardless of fault. It’s good to hear that of all those accidents that never happened, none were your fault! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2026, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/163 "2026-05-27T12:58:46Z")
> [@scabpicker](#): > > So, yeah, the experience might depend on mine and what I think the passenger’s expectations are of the trip. My expectations would be to arrive on time, alive, and totally ambulatory. 🙃 ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2026, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/164 "2026-05-27T12:58:57Z")
> [@solost](#): > > It’s good to hear that of all those accidents that never happened, none were your fault! 😉 Nobody has hit me either is what I should have said. Defensive driving. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2026, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/165 "2026-05-27T13:09:50Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > You don’t get that much money just for organizing. It was easy to convince you to join the competition. You got to pick the skill. The OP earns their money by being able to convince ninety-nine other people to pay a hundred dollar entry fee to join a competition they have no chance of winning. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2026, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/166 "2026-05-27T13:56:36Z")
> [@Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](#): > > What kind of a chump do you take me for? First class! 😃 (ETA: I think I’ll just leave it at that - this thread doesn’t need to hear about Melanie Haber, Audrey Farber, etc.) ---
**Author:** ![Moonrise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moonrise/32/14764_2.png) [@Moonrise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonrise)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2026, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/167 "2026-05-27T13:58:05Z")
My first reaction was to say “having a conversation in Indonesian” but, while it is true that I really like my odds in Europe, it may be risky if the whole world can take part, considering that Indonesians account for almost 4% of the global population. So, I’ll say speed-walking too, a skill I developed because I cannot stand to be stuck in a crowd. As a teenager, I started being quite proficient at quickly finding gaps between even the thickest groups of people and smoothly zooming past them. At 51, I’m not as smooth anymore but I still walk significantly faster and for longer than much younger people. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2026, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/168 "2026-05-27T14:31:20Z")
It’s been fun reading this thread and everyone’s skills. I compiled my list as I read the entries. Throwing a football, distance and accuracy. Table tennis. Driving long distance. I’m a road warrior. ★ Motorcycling safely, defensively — street riding, not dirt. Marksmanship. Pistol and rifle. I can recite the 50 states in alphabetical order. I can recite the 66 books of the Bible in order. The Jumble word game. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2026, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/169 "2026-05-27T14:34:27Z")
Out of 99 random people, I think I’d be the best at flying a helicopter. ---
**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 27, 2026, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/170 "2026-05-27T14:42:59Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > I can recite the 66 books of the Bible in order. I could do it when I was a kid, but not anymore. ---
**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 27, 2026, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/171 "2026-05-27T15:01:53Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > The OP earns their money by being able to convince ninety-nine other people to pay a hundred dollar entry fee to join a competition they have no chance of winning. The only money involved is your $100 entry fee and, if you win, your $1000 prize. I don’t know why so many here think otherwise. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2026, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/172 "2026-05-27T15:09:44Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > The only money involved is your $100 entry fee and, if you win, your $1000 prize. > > I don’t know why so many here think otherwise. I assumed everyone was paying a hundred dollar entry fee. If not, where is the thousand dollar for the prize coming from? ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2026, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/173 "2026-05-27T15:13:48Z")
From the United Nations Hypothetical Fund, stablished in 1950 for the express purpose of hypothetically funding hypothetical questions. ---
**Author:** ![moes\_lotion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ba0ec/32.png) [@moes\_lotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moes_lotion)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2026, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/174 "2026-05-27T20:58:49Z")
Not sure that I’d be guaranteed to win in either, but I’d go for target archery or white water solo canoe slalom racing. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2026, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/175 "2026-05-27T21:25:13Z")
You gotta go with the percentages. My skill-based passions are Pinball, Skiing, and Surfing. Of the world’s population less than .05% play pinball, 1.5-2% ski, and .03-.05% surf. So pinball and surfing are essentially tied for the least prevalent skill. But dumb luck can get a novice a long way in pinball. So surfing it is. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2026, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/176 "2026-05-27T23:20:51Z")
Breaking eggs two at a time, one in each hand. And the kicker? I don’t like eggs and never eat them. I worked in a busy deli when I was 16 (first job— they called me “boychik” and I’m not even Jewish\*). To prepare for the breakfast rush I had to fill a 5-gallon bucket with raw eggs, beat them with a giant whisk, and be super-careful to not get any shell in it. Under intense time pressure I learned to crack two at a time. I’ve sometimes wondered how many people can do that. Can anybody here? \*Oh boy, I’m a Goy. I’m one of the few, the proud, on the SDMB. —I’ve wondered about that, too—the dearth of gentiles here. ---
**Author:** ![ricepad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@ricepad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricepad)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2026, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/177 "2026-05-27T23:28:17Z")
> [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](#): > > I’ve sometimes wondered how many people can do that. Can anybody here? I can, but I know a guy who could crack FOUR eggs at once, two in each hand. I’ve seen him do it, and it’s quite impressive. I’m pretty sure he screwed up a lot of eggs practicing it, though. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2026, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/178 "2026-05-27T23:31:25Z")
Yeah. I’d just have to hope he didn’t show up in the other 99. I’m pretty sure I would beat (ha) most folks. …and now… My last post made me think of an obvious joke: > “I used to date a Jewish woman. She had a thing for non-Jewish guys. I remember when we first had sex. She said, ‘Please be gentile with me!’” NOTE: I was sure this joke already existed so I did a search. I didn’t really find any jokes but it did turn up lots of misspellings of “gentle”. ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2026, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/179 "2026-05-28T00:03:24Z")
Unless Tripler is in the 99 other bodies; I can do explosive demolition work better (and safer​😁) than most. 37years in ammo and explosives, demolition range instructor for 7 years. Plenty of practical experience in Iraq, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait. Electric, non-electric, shock tube, size, type, explosives. Placement and safety zones. … ---
**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 28, 2026, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-skill-can-you-perform-better-than-99-random-people-please-read-op-for-specifics-before-answering/1030387/180 "2026-05-28T00:18:54Z")
> [@ricepad](#): > > I would bet that you could WALK your courses in an orienteering contest against 99 randos. Assuming, of course, that all they have is the instructions and a compass. I learned basic **orienteering** in Boy Scouts, which came in handy when I took a crash course in land surveying, but it’d be **completely baffling to the vast majority of people.** Agree. TIL a new word. [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=8) [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=10)