A Tweet from @jdesmondharris opened up the floodgates for people who, as adults, can't tie their shoelaces in a bow or read an analog clock. It seems everyone has at least one basic life skill that they just never mastered, and often it's a secret shame.
Yesterday we learned that our landlord (a Stanford-educated engineer) doesn't know how to open a combination lock. And Joel admitted he can't blow up balloons. So now I'm obsessed with knowing what everyone's weird life skill blind spots are.
— Jenée (@jdesmondharris) August 4, 2019
It's no secret I never learned to touch type, but I grew up in a time when that was not considered a basic life skill, and you had to take a class to learn it. Now that the letters have worn off the e, r, and t on my keyboard, it can get weird. I also cannot whistle to save may life. Sometimes it happens when I try, but that's mostly by accident. At my day job, I was surprised by how many people cannot tie an apron around their back by themselves.
I dont know my left or right when driving so when I gave someone navigating me, it your way, my way, or straight!
— Carrie Jo Frommelt (@FrommeltJo) August 8, 2019
A huge number of people have trouble finding their way around. Some have trouble with maps, others with directions, and some can't tell left from right. Then there are few who didn't realize their training was geographically specific.
I moved from the Chicagoland area to Southern California in 2006. After growing up in Denver (mountains = west). I’m surprised I can know what direction I’m going on any given day.
— Ayanna Gaines (@PopCulLibrn) August 6, 2019
Some of the replies are downright surprising.
I had to read that tweet three times to even understand how the words related to the numbers
— Dylan Reeve (@DylanReeve) August 5, 2019
You can see plenty more responses at Lifehacker, like this one from panthercougar:
Many years ago, when my now wife and I were first living together, she called me at work for instructions on how to make a grilled cheese sandwich. My coworker, who heard my half of the conversation, thought it was hilarious.
That was followed by many stories of people who make grilled cheese the "wrong" way. There are more contributions in the comments at Metafilter, like the deficits splen admits to.
I am unable to blow a bubble with bubble gum. I will carry that shame with me to the grave, it just isn't happening.
I also have a natural aversion to diving into a pool. It ends up being a belly flop no matter what. If I were hoisted by my feet above a pool and dropped straight down, somehow I'd end up turning 90 degrees.
The good news is that these are people who manage to navigate everyday life just fine without that one skill they never mastered. For the most part.
(Image credit: asobuno)
Oh, and also sustaining healthy interpersonal relationships.