# What's something mundane you can't do? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 18, 2008, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-something-mundane-you-cant-do/434091 "2008-01-18T23:07:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![BarnOwl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e95f7d/32.png) [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2008, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-something-mundane-you-cant-do/434091/121 "2008-01-23T15:21:04Z")
Although I try every so often, I cannot bring my car to a full stop without that little semi-abrupt stop that might cause a passenger to jerk forward just a little, little bit. I think I could do it with my older cars with old timey brakes, but not with newer cars with power brakes. Try it yourself. Maybe tip me on how to do it. ---
**Author:** ![schnuckiputzi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecb155/32.png) [@schnuckiputzi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/schnuckiputzi)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2008, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-something-mundane-you-cant-do/434091/122 "2008-01-23T17:04:43Z")
As far as rolling your tongue, that’s a dominant genetic trait. If you can’t, you never will be able to – you don’t have the proper musculature (I’m a junior high science teacher and we just covered that). At many basketball games, I would have given large sums of money to be able to do the two-finger whistle that is so shrill it removes your fillings. One of my fellow teachers can, and I’m so envious. I also can’t parallel park. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2008, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-something-mundane-you-cant-do/434091/123 "2008-01-23T18:54:36Z")
[QUOTE=Mangetout] Calculus. I still reckon they’re all just making it up. [/QUOTE] Theres nothing mundane about it, stick to it, it’ll all make sense if you do. I can’t raise my right eyebrow. I can pull of an imitation of The Rock with my left, but the right one won’t move independently. ---
**Author:** ![BarnOwl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e95f7d/32.png) [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2008, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-something-mundane-you-cant-do/434091/124 "2008-01-23T19:12:54Z")
I can’t move my scalp. Have you ever seen actors do it? I’ve seen 'em do it on TV, but I don’t have a cite. ---
**Author:** ![Gymnopithys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/fbc32d/32.png) [@Gymnopithys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gymnopithys)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2008, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-something-mundane-you-cant-do/434091/125 "2008-01-23T20:34:42Z")
[QUOTE=Sitnam] Do that loud whistle involving two fingers. :mad: [/QUOTE] I’m so envious of people who can do that loud whistle without using their fingers. Really. ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2008, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-something-mundane-you-cant-do/434091/126 "2008-01-23T20:38:29Z")
How is turning cartwheels considered mundane? I’m pretty sure at least 90% of the people on our planet can’t do that. When I’m bending over a chair and my head’s touching the wall, I can’t pick it up. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Leviosaurus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/439d5e/32.png) [@Leviosaurus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leviosaurus)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2008, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-something-mundane-you-cant-do/434091/127 "2008-01-23T20:47:00Z")
I cannot bend my thumb without bending the rest of my fingers as well. If I hold my fingers down so I can’t bend them, leaving my thumb free, I can no longer bend my thumb. Makes playing the guitar hell. After years and years of playing and working on my chording hand, I can now manage to bend the thumb on my left hand while only bending the fingers a little bit. On my right hand, I practically have to make a fist in order to bend my thumb. ---
**Author:** ![baldloser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/919ad9/32.png) [@baldloser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/baldloser)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2008, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-something-mundane-you-cant-do/434091/128 "2008-01-23T21:21:22Z")
I have an incredibly poor sense of orientation. I’m 35 and have never met anyone with a worse sense of directions. I have to leave for appointments at least an hour early if its not someplace that I am very familiar with. And even then I might get hopelessly lost and return home in frustration. ---
**Author:** ![baldloser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/919ad9/32.png) [@baldloser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/baldloser)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2008, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-something-mundane-you-cant-do/434091/129 "2008-01-23T21:21:41Z")
I have an incredibly poor sense of orientation. I’m 35 and have never met anyone with a worse sense of directions. I have to leave for appointments at least an hour early if its not someplace that I am very familiar with. And even then I might get hopelessly lost and return home in frustration. ---
**Author:** ![baldloser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/919ad9/32.png) [@baldloser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/baldloser)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2008, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-something-mundane-you-cant-do/434091/130 "2008-01-23T21:27:23Z")
I apparently can’t post on message boards too well either. ---
**Author:** ![BarnOwl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e95f7d/32.png) [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2008, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-something-mundane-you-cant-do/434091/131 "2008-01-24T00:19:37Z")
[QUOTE=baldloser] I apparently can’t post on message boards too well either. [/QUOTE] No, you did fine. Have you thought about using mapquest? Or buying a car with GPS? The latter might make your life much happier. I’m serious. I imagine you can get GPS installed in your current car. Maybe you could also get a hand held unit. Once you got comfortable with the technology you’ll be a new man! ---
**Author:** ![baldloser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/919ad9/32.png) [@baldloser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/baldloser)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2008, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-something-mundane-you-cant-do/434091/132 "2008-01-24T00:28:17Z")
[QUOTE=BarnOwl] No, you did fine. Have you thought about using mapquest? Or buying a car with GPS? The latter might make your life much happier. I’m serious. I imagine you can get GPS installed in your current car. Maybe you could also get a hand held unit. Once you got comfortable with the technology you’ll be a new man! [/QUOTE] I use mapquest often. But I really need to get a gps system in my car. Unfortunately my poor sense of direction extends to the inside of buildings as well. I have to go someplace a good half-dozen times before I have the route down. Pretty much when I turn to leave someplace I have no Idea how I came in. ---
**Author:** ![Chessic\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7c8e57/32.png) [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2008, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-something-mundane-you-cant-do/434091/133 "2008-01-24T00:48:59Z")
We should be posting tips to help out those that are struggling with these mundane things: 1. Magic Eye- try crossing your eyes (looking at your nose) and slowly uncrossing them. DO NOT LOOK AT THE PICTURE! Let IT come to YOU. If this works, you’ll see a negative image of the item in the picture. This is because your left eye is looking at the right repetition of the edge of the image while your right eye looks left. If you can’t do it, both eyes are looking at the same edge. If you do it the ‘right’ way, the left is left and the right is right. Still doesn’t work? Try touching the picture with your finger tip and looking at that. Then move it closer to your face, slowly. 2. Diving: Try to touch your forehead to the bottom of the pool. Scary, but it’s what you should be thinking about. 3. Whistling: make an “oo” sound. Now imagine a ‘voice’ in the back of your tongue, and slowly imagine it moving to the front of your mouth. If that doesn’t work, try making the “oo” sound LOUD. Now FREEZE your mouth, tongue, and lips. Without moving them, try to make a “hhhh” sound. Make sure you don’t loosen your lips…in fact, tighten them. 4. Parallel park: First, pull up to the car in front of the spot. Next, turn the wheel and point the center of your back windshield at the visual horizon of the car behind you and the curb (where the passenger side headlight is). Back up straight (this is the part most miss). As soon your driver side is in line with both other cars’ driverside mirror, cut the wheel the other way all the way. Spin until straight. 5. Mental numbers and alphabet: Imagine a numberline with tick marks every 10 (or whatever) units, like a ruler. Imagine the alphabet spelled out in order. Look at one if you must. When doing mental recollection of these, try to do it by “looking” at it in your mind, not “thinking” of it. Do any of these help you guys? ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2008, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-something-mundane-you-cant-do/434091/134 "2008-01-24T03:17:43Z")
[QUOTE=Hypno-Toad] Get laid. [/QUOTE] Come to Thailand. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2008, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-something-mundane-you-cant-do/434091/135 "2008-01-24T12:49:08Z")
Can’t whistle in any way shape or form except a patheticly weak whistle when sucking air in. Can’t snap my fingers. Can’t roll my tongue. Can’t curl my toes. People who can sit and have their great toe curled under their foot resting on the floor freaks me out. If you stepped on their foot, that toe would snap like a breadstick. Can’t remember names of people after being introduced. ---
**Author:** ![BaneSidhe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c5a1d2/32.png) [@BaneSidhe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BaneSidhe)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2008, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-something-mundane-you-cant-do/434091/136 "2008-01-24T14:14:06Z")
I can’t do the two finger whistle, drive a stick or ice skate either. ---
**Author:** ![Gorgon\_Heap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f475e1/32.png) [@Gorgon\_Heap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorgon_Heap)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2008, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-something-mundane-you-cant-do/434091/137 "2008-01-24T14:24:51Z")
I can whistle loudly without fingers, but can only drool on myself with them. ---
**Author:** ![butler1850](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@butler1850](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/butler1850)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2008, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-something-mundane-you-cant-do/434091/138 "2008-01-24T14:37:08Z")
[QUOTE=Student Driver] Those 3D pictures are odd; I see them in inverse 3D. An image of a schooner looks like someone’s mashed a schooner into clay, then gaily painted speckles over the impression. . [/QUOTE] This is the same issue that I have with these. I think it has to do with us crossing our eyes, rather than relaxing them outwards… ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2008, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-something-mundane-you-cant-do/434091/139 "2008-01-24T14:39:32Z")
I don’t know how to swim or how to drive a car. I still avoid some social situations like parties or functions because I don’t know how to behave and react properly. I have had some success with that last one to a degree, though. ---
**Author:** ![nikonikosuru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5f8ce5/32.png) [@nikonikosuru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nikonikosuru)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2008, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-something-mundane-you-cant-do/434091/140 "2008-01-24T14:54:36Z")
Roll my Rs, snap my fingers, give blood. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-something-mundane-you-cant-do/434091.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-something-mundane-you-cant-do/434091.md?page=8)