some things every man should know how to do

[phantomcove]

i don't understand the point of all this. Should men really need to know these things to convince themselves that they are men or prove their masculinity? all those hunting points are really quite useless to today's society. unless said man is interested in hunting/fishing whatever why should he be subjected to know these things to prove to no one that he is a man.

 

[katsumoto03]

Masturbate. It's a useful thing.

 

[mr-fix_it]

A MAN CHOOSES the items on that list he considers important... A SLAVE OBEYS...

Would you kindly consider all the items on that list important?

 

[Voodoomancer]

Efficiently put out a fire.

I understand that it's a very useful skill to have.

 

[Johnny Impact]

Things Every Man should be able to do

Yes-Use basic tools (Axes, saws, hammers & nails, screw drivers, the basic tool kit)
Sort Of-Build a fire [Owyn_Merrilin]
Yes-Swim [loc978]
Yes-Sharpen a knife [Owyn_Merrilin]
Yes-Fish
Yes-Hunt [Dr_Horrible]
No-Gut a fish/skin an animal
No-Ride a horse
Yes-Pitch a tent
Yes-Perform first aid, including CPR
Yes-Cook a few easy recipes
No-Operate a grill [AGrey]
No-Know at least one good year for wine
No-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)
Depends What-Repair your possessions
No-Sew [Sope]
No-Know how to grow a decent garden
No-Install/repair basic electric utilities [Cargin]
Yes-Install/repair basic plumbing [Cargin]
Yes-Change a light bulb [Spaloooooka]
Yes-Fire a gun
No-Throw a punch
No-Take a punch (yes, this can be learned)
Yes-Read (Yes, you should be literate, but also able to read a book and understand it's message and content)
Yes-Read/watch the news [Da Chi]
Yes-Read a manual [LadyMint]
Yes-Clearly communicate an idea [gmergurl]
Yes-Talk to others
Yes-Talk to someone you're attracted to (not just cheesy one-liners)
No-Know what they're talking about (Literature, art, music, history, politics) [Kukulski]
No-Drink (Not to excess, but know your preferences and limits) (including whether you drink at all)
No-Sing or play some kind of instrument (it doesn't matter if it's a kazoo or a violin, learn something)
No-Dance
Yes-Play Chess (just know how the pieces move, you don't need to be a grand master)
Yes-Play poker
Yes-Drive a car (automatic and stick)
No-Ride a motorcycle
Yes-Operate a boat (canoe, yacht, sailboat) [loc978]
Yes-Jump start a car
Yes-Change a tire [Wadders]
No-Change the oil [Athol]
Yes-Clean yourself
Yes-Clean your possessions ~[PettingZOOPONY]
Yes-Shave [Armored Prayer]
Yes-Tie a tie [Wadders]
Yes-Polish their shoes [Lord Kloo]
Yes-Open a can/bottle [Irriduccibilli]
Yes-Twist off a lid
Yes-Pack a suitcase [Ledan]
Yes-Pack a car [Ledan]

How'd I do?

This list is fascinating to me. I think about stuff like this often. I am a man but I don't consider myself a Man. A Man knows how to fix a car and install a screen door. A Man likes beer and football. A Man thinks sex is more important than love. A Man thinks any guy who tries not to stare at pretty women "must be a ******". And so forth. I don't do these things.

I like the mention of Fight Club. "We're a generation of men raised by women. I'm wondering if another woman is really the answer we need" might be my favorite line in a movie made up entirely of quotes.

 

[lemiel14n3]

This list is fascinating to me. I think about stuff like this often. I am a man but I don't consider myself a Man. A Man knows how to fix a car and install a screen door. A Man likes beer and football. A Man thinks sex is more important than love. A Man thinks any guy who tries not to stare at pretty women "must be a ******". And so forth. I don't do these things.

I hope you're not being serious. 'cause if you are then you completely misread the intent of the thread. I'm not calling anyone a "******". The first set of points (the car and the door) from you are valid here, but the others... not so much.

 

[k-ossuburb]

Eat the hottest (as in the most scoville units) chili/curry on the menu just to prove that you can.

(You build up a resistance to it after a while, but I think you kinda need to really like spicy food to begin with or it just won't work. I love spicy stuff, so I'm not that phased by the average chili pepper, but when I start getting into ghost pepper territory, then I'll start having second thoughts.)

Interesting thing about chili peppers; they're really good for you (very high in vitamin C and A), can act as an anti-inflammatory to ease joint pain and they're also a mild painkiller. Also, you can use them to scare away elephants. Chili peppers are a pretty damn manly food.Another thing all men can do?

Admit to liking My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic.

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

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.

to most people, cars aren't an interest. They're just a chunk of machinery that gets them from A to B.

You're not going to know the ins and outs of a car unless you take an interest in them. And I don't really see why that should fall under the 'things a man should do'.

I'm not going to bother taking any more of an interest in my car than as to whether or not it's running.

Well - if you prefer spending 3-4 times the amount to repair something that could've been prevented, by all means . . .

. . . I consider it job security.

The same could be said about anything you own.

Do you know the ins and outs of how your boiler works? I'm sure the people that do check it regularly enough so that it doesn't fuck out on them and they have to wait weeks for a new one.

Do you know enough about your PC to take it apart and give it new parts when it's required and keep your system clean etc?

You're looking at cars from a mechanics perspective. You're obviously interested in them. So you don't understand why people won't just check for... whatever you said to check for.

But to anyone who isn't interested. It's just time and effort they can't be bothered putting in for something they know very little about.

Again I say, he was talking about topping off your fluids, not doing actual repairs. To put it in computer terms, not knowing how to do that is more akin to not knowing how to run a virus scan than it is to not knowing how to build one from parts. If you can't do that much, you probably shouldn't own either a computer or a car.

There are plenty of PC owners who don't know what a virus scan is. Let alone a good scanner to use.

The fact is, if you're not interested. You're not going to bother.

I'm not going to even take a look at my car under the hood when I get one. But I am going to buy one of those build it yourself helicopter kits and build that up from scratch.... why? because that interests me.

checking that my oil is topped off in my car doesn't.

Then enjoy your repair bills and the eventual burned out engine, and pray you don't crash due to a lack of brake or steering fluid.

Or alternatively take it into a garage and have them do a once over.

Or alternatively take it into a garage and have them do a once over.

And just waste you money for every little thing, garages aren't cheap, you can save hundreds just by keeping track of your cars fluids.

Exactly -- and hundreds is a conservative estimate, it's going to be closer to thousands over the life of the car. These are things that should be checked quite frequently, not occasional repairs. Abandon, if you can actually afford to hire someone to check your fluids for you, more power to you, but unless your car is a Lamborghini, I seriously doubt you can afford to hire someone to check the fluids as often as you should. Besides, it helps to have some basic knowledge of the kind of problems caused by the various fluids being low -- a $5 bottle of fluid is a lot cheaper than a $100+ trip to the mechanic, and if you aren't regularly checking, you're likely to have occasional problems caused by low fluid levels.

Edit: Also, re-read the post you quoted. Part of it said "enjoy your repair bills" -- as in, yes, if you don't have this basic skill, you can take it to a garage. It's just going to cost an arm and a leg.

You're being monstrously hyperbolic.

90% of car owners don't bother to check fluid levels beyond petrol and wiper fluid.

I'm not interested in it. I'm not going to bother looking at it.

It's that simple.

I know how to do it. I just can't be bothered.

I'm really not being hyperbolic here; I've seen the kind of problems that are caused by not checking fluid levels, and I also know that, in my experience, most people actually check, especially if they're having some kind of problem with the engine. I noticed you used the word "petrol;" this could be a cultural difference between the US and the UK. Over here, most people would prefer to save a buck and do what repairs they can on their own.

Edit: That doesn't mean we're all 1950's style gear heads. Cars have become computerized to the point that a lot of major problems can only be fixed by a certified mechanic with the proper equipment, but that doesn't prevent us from doing things like changing our own batteries and topping off our own fluid.

 

[Meepo]

This list is awesome

How about...Know when to Lead and When to follow

I know both women and men can have good leadership abilities, but I still feel that men should at least know the basics of leadership

 

[captaincabbage]

Make Burritos. Because those little motherfuckers are delicious.

 

[Hader]

Looks like I can't check off 100% of the list, obviously I am not a man!

While the list is cool it's still just subjective reasoning, more or less.

 

[Zantos]

Own a Stanley knife, and not only know how to use it to sharpen a pencil but actively prefer it.
Same principle for swiss army knives and the tin opener on them.
Use toothpicks without causing severe injury.

I completely ace the plumbing requirement. I got back from a holiday yesterday and the first thing I was asked upon getting home is if I could fit a dishwasher. Didn't even have to read the installation manual and it was textbook.

 

[ThatDaveDude1]

Impregnate a woman, unless they're into that whole "extinction" thing

 

[Aeriath]

The list is a little archaic and location dependent, but I'll have a go at this checklist.

Use basic tools - This I can do, but only because of my experiences with woodworking in highscool and helping my dad build a few fences.
Build a fire [Owyn_Merrilin] - I can't see myself needing to know this unless society colapses.
Swim [loc978] - Check. This is sensible enough.
Sharpen a knife [Owyn_Merrilin] - No idea.
Fish - I'm not a fan of fishing.
Hunt [Dr_Horrible] - Pfft. The only people around here who hunt own estates and have posh accents.
Gut a fish/skin an animal - I prefer to have my local butcher do this seeing as how they have trained for this.
Ride a horse - Bit anachronistic, isn't it? I'd say it's more of a niche hobby than a required skill.
Pitch a tent - Not much of a camper.
Perform first aid, including CPR - This would be useful. It would be worth knowing this but I don't.
Cook a few easy recipes - Egg is a versatile food.
Operate a grill [AGrey] - I tend to use the hob more but the grill can't be too hard.
Know at least one good year for wine - Not a wine drinker.
Build something - I'm pretty good working with wood, and I built the computer I am typing this from.
Repair your possessions - Quite a lot of my possesions are far too complex to be repaired by a layman (electronics etc).
Sew [Sope] - Fairly useful but not essential. I'm alright at sewing, we had a few lessons on it during Home Economics at highschool.
Know how to grow a decent garden - As I said with horse riding, this seems more like a hobbby than an essential skill.
Install/repair basic electric utilities - I can correctly wire a plug and fit a lightbulb but that's as much as I know.
Install/repair basic plumbing - I'd give it a go but I can't imagine I'd have much sucess.
Change a light bulb - Covered earlier. Seems a little odd that this would be mentioned since it's so simple.
Fire a gun - I'm neither a farmer nor rich, which puts me squarely outside the demographic for legal firearms in the UK.
Throw a punch - I'd prefer to take the "flight" option.
Take a punch - I'd rather concentrate on not being hit to be honest.
Read - My apologies my good sir, I didn't realise you were from 1900. Aren't literacy rates at 99.99% in the western world nowadays?
Read/watch the news [Da Chi] - Knowning what is going on in the world is important. Check.
Read a manual [LadyMint] - Sensible enough. Unless the manual is as thick as a novel of course.
Clearly communicate an idea [gmergurl] - Sure.
Talk to others - Check.
Talk to someone you're attracted to (not just cheesy one-liners)- Check.
Know what they're talking about (Literature, art, music, history, politics) [Kukulski] - I'm not particualrly well versed in any of those subjects. I'm more interested in technology.
Drink (Not to excess, but know your preferences and limits) (including whether you drink at all) - I'm a very occassional drinker, and I never drink for pleasure. People can't seem to wrap their heads around not drinking where I live, so nursing a pint of cider keeps them quite for the most part.
Sing or play some kind of instrument (it doesn't matter if it's a kazoo or a violin, learn something) - I'm not musically inclined at all. You'd have more luck training a chimp to play the piano than me becoming competent with an instrument.
Dance - I dance about as well as Commander Shepard.
Play Chess (just know how the pieces move, you don't need to be a grand master) - I'm alright at chess.
Play poker - Does Texas Hold-Em suffice?
Drive a car (automatic and stick) - Perhaps in 10 years when I have managed to earn enough of this elusive thing that people call money.
Ride a motorcycle - I'd rather drive a car.
Operate a boat (canoe, yacht, sailboat) [loc978] - I live about 7 miles from the sea, but I cant forsee any reason that I would need this skill.
Jump start a car - It's something I'd take the time to learn while I was learning to drive.
Change a tire [Wadders] - Same as above.
Change the oil [Athol] - Again, same as above.
Clean yourself - Sorry, keep forgetting you have been skipped 100 years forward.
Clean your possessions ~[PettingZOOPONY] - Erm. OK I guess.
Shave [Armored Prayer] - Essential, unless you rock a beard (and even then you'd still hopefully trim it).
Tie a tie [Wadders] - A must in the world of business.
Polish their shoes [Lord Kloo] - Not as essential in the world of business, but it makes a good impression.
Open a can/bottle [Irriduccibilli] - Check.
Twist off a lid - Check.
Pack a suitcase [Ledan] - I'd say I'm competent at this, but not great.
Pack a car [Ledan] - My family hasn't owned a car for about 12 years. I imagine it can't be too difficult though.

 

[Johnny Impact]

This list is fascinating to me. I think about stuff like this often. I am a man but I don't consider myself a Man. A Man knows how to fix a car and install a screen door. A Man likes beer and football. A Man thinks sex is more important than love. A Man thinks any guy who tries not to stare at pretty women "must be a ******". And so forth. I don't do these things.

I hope you're not being serious. 'cause if you are then you completely misread the intent of the thread. I'm not calling anyone a "******". The first set of points (the car and the door) from you are valid here, but the others... not so much.

I am being serious. I have been called a ****** for looking away from a pretty girl. I didn't say YOU said it. The typical blue-collar male is who I spend the most time with and it so happens the typical blue-collar male is so homophobic it's coming out his ears. You might want to add "stare and drool unashamedly at women who aren't even that pretty" to the list, though.

I misread nothing. I'm not offended nor should you be. I said I quite often think about what the typical male is (shortcomings included), mostly as a function of how far removed from that stereotype I am. Because of that, it is interesting to me to see how many Essential Guy Skills I have and how many I don't. Data for my ongoing research, as it were.

 

[Rayne870]

A man should know how to both satisfy and defend his lover. He should know when to fight and when to walk away. A man should also know how to communicate with his lover and maintain a very simple rule: "never go to bed angry at each-other". Exercising this will improve almost any relationship and the well being of the man.

A man should know how to admit when he is wrong or at least be able to agree to disagree in order to maintain a friendship or other relationship.

He should also know basic dress and deportment, how to wear a suit properly.

He should know CPR/First Aid and basic survival techniques and retrain them as needed. You never know when you can save someones life or save your own.

A man as an entertainer should know how to prepare each type of steak to each degree of being cooked. I like mine medium-well.

 

[Moonlight Butterfly]

I find this thread unsettling for some reason. I don't know why.

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

This list is fascinating to me. I think about stuff like this often. I am a man but I don't consider myself a Man. A Man knows how to fix a car and install a screen door. A Man likes beer and football. A Man thinks sex is more important than love. A Man thinks any guy who tries not to stare at pretty women "must be a ******". And so forth. I don't do these things.

I hope you're not being serious. 'cause if you are then you completely misread the intent of the thread. I'm not calling anyone a "******". The first set of points (the car and the door) from you are valid here, but the others... not so much.

I am being serious. I have been called a ****** for looking away from a pretty girl. I didn't say YOU said it. The typical blue-collar male is who I spend the most time with and it so happens the typical blue-collar male is so homophobic it's coming out his ears. You might want to add "stare and drool unashamedly at women who aren't even that pretty" to the list, though.

I misread nothing. I'm not offended nor should you be. I said I quite often think about what the typical male is (shortcomings included), mostly as a function of how far removed from that stereotype I am. Because of that, it is interesting to me to see how many Essential Guy Skills I have and how many I don't. Data for my ongoing research, as it were.

Well then, this is as good a time as any to add that a real man is comfortable in his masculinity. Homophobes are not, ergo, they are not real men.