some things every man should know how to do

[lemiel14n3]

I seriously think you're misunderstanding peoples gripes with this list. Your telling people that men should do something to be proper men and people are taking offense to this, because they feel that the only qualifier to be a man is... feeling that you are a man.

Then I'll make myself as clear as I can

I am not out to define the male gender
My goal is not to make you feel like less of a man
These are not man-exclusive abilities
YES! the only definitive necessity of being a man is a penis
IF you can't do something, don't feel too bad, for some of these, in all likelihood, you'll never have to
No one is ever going to call you on these things
I can't do everything on this list either, but I feel I should, at least, get the basics down
Yeah, some of these abilities are really only useful to cavemen, but you'll be glad you know them if you ever need them.

Spoiler: In order to be a man you do not have to look like, or be this

Spoiler: Now consider briefly an alternative to that image of men.

When I search "lazy" on Google every image that isn't a cat or a fictional character is a man.
Same with "idiot"
and "douche"
and "asshole"
maybe 75/25 with "drunk"

Think about commercials, men are marketed to as people who are too busy thinking with our dicks to begin thinking with our heads.

Look I'm not trying to say who you are or who you should be. I'm compiling a list of useful abilities that, in my opinion men should know. Does that mean you have to know them NO, does that mean women are incapable of performing these tasks NO, am I going to think less of you for being unable to perform this list in it's entirety NO, are you not a REAL man if you can't do these things, maybe a few decades ago the answer would have been yes, but now? NO

 

[similar.squirrel]

I think 'pitching a tent' should take precedence on this list. Fnarr, fnarr.

OT: A basic grasp of botany. And the ability to use a compass or orient oneself using the sun.

 

[AGrey]

I think the 'Know how to cook a few easy recipes' should be expanded:

-Cook Steak (and know how to achieve the desired level of done-ness)
-Carve a Turkey
-Operate a grill
-Make Hamburger from scratch (and not just ground beef, every man should know what spices to mix it with)


Yes, cooking is not usually part of the 'manly things' category (In the stereotypical sense) but there are a few food-related things every man needs to know how to do.

 

[lemiel14n3]

Not sure if this fits on the list, but I think the most important skill/trait/ability for any man to have is Resourcefulness. Being able to make use of whatever means are available to accomplish whatever task. But its also the ability to learn and teach yourself new things, the ability to find answers and solutions to problems...

For example... Lets say you need to do some renovations around your house, or your car starts acting up... You don't have to know how to fix it right then and there. You don't need to be an expert - nobody knows everything. But as a man, you should know where to find the answers. You should know where to find the information you need, to help diagnose a problem and where to find the right tools for the job.

Being Resourceful is the most important thing, I'd say. As long as a man can use his head, he'll never be helpless.

I'd like to include this somehow, but I can't think of a way to be more specific than "jury-rig a solution" and anything else fits into "repair your possessions"

 

[Snicks]

All men must be mighty warrior-poets, walking the earth with nothing but his brawn and his tools on the search for untrekked wilderness where he may live at one with nature. Wit shall be his weapon and endurance his shield as he hunts and gathers, never caught unprepared for a heavy storm or an encounter with some uncouth beast.

Then, once he has slain his quarry he shall skin and gut it with nothing but his teeth, and prepare it for the feast that awaits his family on his return. He shall mount his steed, preferably some variety of harley-stallion crossover, a fine, fit horse with a V8. After repairing the damage done to the contraption by the gruelling trek into the woods, the man shall return home and after a tender word to his wife and children he shall return to his study to muse upon the finer points of Tolstoy or Dante.

After which he shall sing during dinner, and provide revelry for the many that gather around just to catch a glimpse of this godlike adonis, with the voice of an angel and the sensuous dancing of the devil.

Then, after his hard day the man shall retire with his good lady wife and make firm but gentle love to her until cleaaning himself to an impeccable degree before catching the few scant hours of sleep available until the next day.


Ok, sure that was pretty silly, and somethings on that list are indeed essential but how many men do you know that can do all those things? Over half the things on that list just aren't that necessary in the world anymore. Why do I need to spend all day hunting and killing my dinner when I can get cous-cous in a packet for £3.50 from a shop not ten minutes away?

 

[gmergurl]

Communicate.

While this might go under "talk to others" it's a little different from what I have in mind. Men, and women too I suppose though they don't always have this problem, need to learn to get things across to people and not just assume everyone already knows what you're talking about.

 

[Cargin]

Basic electrical and plumbing skills. (wire a socket/change a fuse/repair burst pipes/install a sink[surprisingly easy] etc) I know technically it comes under the heading of D.I.Y. hobbying a lot nowadays, but its damned useful, and damned satisfying to be able to do it yourself.

 

[daftalchemist]

All men should be able to kill bugs. My boyfriend can't. If it's a bug that doesn't bite, he just takes it back outside. If it's a bug that does bite, he has me kill it for him. :/

 

[Bugerion]

I am a fail man only thing I consider man should know how to do besides the obvious ones is to shave also how is drinking a skill?You think every man should drink or what?

 

[Thespian]

-Forge a definition of masculinity for himself not based on the opinions of others.
-Fire a gun
-Fish
-Hunt [Dr_Horrible]
-Gut a fish/skin an animal
-Cook a few easy recipes
-Throw a punch
-Take a punch
-Read (Yes, you should be literate, but also able to read a book and understand it's message and content)
-Read a manual [LadyMint]
-Build something (Not just restricted to wood work, being able to build a bureau from scratch and a computer from scratch are just as valid)(stacking planks on top of cinder blocks and calling them shelves does NOT count)
-Drink (Not to excess, but know your preferences and limits)
-Sing or play some kind of instrument (it doesn't matter if it's a kazoo or a violin, learn something
-Use basic tools (Axes, saws, hammers & nails, screw drivers, the basic tool kit)
-Talk to others
-Talk to someone you're attracted to (not just cheesy one-liners)
-Play Chess (just know how the pieces move, you don't need to be a grand master)
-Play poker
-Dance
-Know how to grow a decent garden
-Ride a horse
-Build a fire [Owyn_Merrilin]
-Repair your possessions ~[Sope]
-Pitch a tent
-Tie a tie [Wadders])
-Drive a car (automatic and stick)
-Ride a motorcycle
-Jump start a car
-Change a tire [Wadders]
-Change the oil [Athol]
-Perform first aid, including CPR
-Clean yourself
-Clean your possessions ~[PettingZOOPONY]
-Shave [Armored Prayer]
-Know what they're talking about (Literature, art, music, history, politics) [Kukulski]
-Open a can/bottle [Irriduccibilli]
-Twist off a lid
-Sharpen a knife [Owyn_Merrilin]
-Swim [loc978]
-Operate a boat [loc978]
-Pack a suitcase [Ledan]
-Pack a car [Ledan]

Made a few changes.

Haha, people get offended over the silliest stuff. But I'm going to say something, if I may.

The world and society in general has tried to blur the line between man and woman as if they were the same. Like we both have the same emotional wiring, feelings, wants, needs, instincts, and attributes. This disgusts me. Taking away the adventure from a man's life does nothing but tear us down. We are MADE to be conquerers, to save the day, rescue the princess, and fight until the end. It's what we dream of and what we are built for. To rob us of our manhood is a crime against our purpose.

This is not to say we are to be disrespectful or arrogant. A real man is strong, but humble. Proud, but not arrogant. Civil and not disrespectful. Courageous, yet gentle. Firm, but understanding. Loyal and unshakable. A true man's values are made of honor, integrity, and love. He is inseparable with the Truth and will never compromise.

It's a shame that some of us use our personality to take advantage of those who are weaker. Used purely, and with a just cause, a righteous man is incredibly sought after.

"The World" and "Society" has indeed not attempted to make men and women the same.
What Society has done is given men and women the opportunity to be the same if they so desire. The fact that men and women are very different is widely acknowledged. By the sciences of psychology and by general culture.
Now, first of all, don't assume you know all men. I dream of, nor am I built for, none of the things you mentioned. I could not care less for conquering or the dogmatic cliché of "saving the day" and frankly, I would rather find some smoldering Arabian prince awaiting me at the top of a tower.
Secondly, might I ask who is stealing the adventure from your life? Who stood in front of you and said "NO! No masculinity for you! Back home to paint your toenails, for your gender is irrelevant!"
Finally, who the hell gave you the right to define what a good man is? I am very separable with the Truth, as you so falsely capitalized, and I have found that dishonesty is damn useful and a good force in the world. Doesn't make me a bad person. You can say it does but it doesn't.
And for that matter, man wasn't designed for anything. Men aren't stapled to specific roles, and no one is saying they can't apply themselves to those roles by choice if they want to. Geez.

 

[lemiel14n3]

I am a fail man only thing I consider man should know how to do besides the obvious ones is to shave also how is drinking a skill?You think every man should drink or what?

There's a talent to drinking well, to knowing what you enjoy and knowing your limits. Not everyone should drink, it is, for many, a bad habit. But to be able to drink and stop before you hurt yourself and others, that is a valuable skill.

 

[Zaleznikel]

Snip

You said exactly what I was going to say, and so much more. Thank you
Eff gender roles. In my experience at least, I'm happiest when I don't concern myself with whether I'm living up to someone's ridiculous expectations or not.

Edit: snipped. Didn't realize how big the quote box was

 

[lemiel14n3]

All men must be mighty warrior-poets, walking the earth with nothing but his brwan and his tools on the search for untrekked wilderness where he may live at one with nature. Wit shall be his weapon and endurance his shield as he hunts and gathers, never caught unprepared for a heavy storm or an encounter with some uncouth beast.

Then, once he has slain his quarry he shall skin and gut it with nothing but his teeth, and prepare it for the feast that awaits his family on his return. He shall mount his steed, preferably some variety of harley-stallion crossover, a fine, fit horse with a V8. After repairing the damage done to the contraption by the gruelling trek into the woods, the man shall return home and after a tender word to his wife and children he shall return to his study to muse upon the finer points of Tolstoy or Dante.

After which he shall sing during dinner, and provide revelry for the many that gather around just to catch a spectacle of this godlike adonis, with the voice of an angel and the sensuous dancing of the devil.

Then, after his hard day the man shall retire with his good lady wife and make firm but gentle love to her until cleaaning himself to an impeccable degree before catching the few scant hours of sleep available until the next day.

I LOVE IT.

Taking this to it's absurd extreme, it made me smile inside.

But come on, think for a sec, wouldn't it be awesome if you knew at least one person like that.

 

[Kimozabi]

Admit a mistake.
Seeing somebody foolishly clinging to incorrect ideas, theories, suggestions etc. is both annoying and a little sad. One of the bigger judgements of character, IMO anyways, is when a man can realize that he is wrong, admit it, and - through this - become a better person.

 

[imperialreign]

Along with changing the oil - checking a car's fluids . . . being a mechanic by trade, I can't count how many times vehicles have ended in costly repairs simply because someone couldn't maintain fluid levels and bring it in for leaks. It's pretty sad when we get a car towed in, with some guy's wife and kids stranded, simply because no one knew the power steering, transmission, cooling system or oil was leaking and something failed on the highway.

 

[IndianaJonny]

Polish his damn shoes.

Iron his own shirts and pants.

Expanding on this idea every man should know how to sew in order to repair his own clothes - if you see a man with smart elbow patch stitching then you're admiring a man who can look after himself.

Wet shave and use an old-style 'scrubbing' toothbush - the modern man does not 'buzz' when he's taking care of himself; he's more rustic and environmentally aware than that.

 

[Shanecooper]

Things men should be able to do...
Pee standing up?
Dress themselves, prehaps?

 

[Chase Yojimbo]

I can do most of those things. and I am glad that you at least allowed scholarly activities, instead of it all being "douchy males who do sports, drink, party, cars/trucks", and any other shit involving the aforementioned.

truthfully though? A man should have an open mind, and though he shouldn't allow anyones opinion to change his own, he should at least understand that persons point of view without belligerence; and a man should have discipline, but in this society it's like wishing Santa was real.

Then again, why does this have to be gender specific? Women can do any of the above just as good if not better, and only require the same amount of cognitive capacity (I couldn't keep a straight face, since Women have a higher cognitive capacity anyways).

And what happened to Individualism? Jesus, I could go ranting for hours, but I'm rather peckish.

 

[Hydro14]

Just add my name to the list of people who've expressed discomfort at an opening post that at first glance appears to be made to enforce separation of archetypal gender roles.

(Oh, the captcha thing says 'Results' not 'Kesuits')

 

[Melon Hunter]

In the spirit of James May's book, every man should know how to make an emergency landing in an Airbus A380 or similar jet aircraft.