Some things feel so basic that we just assume everyone knows how to do them. Cooking a simple meal, doing laundry, or changing a lightbulb are everyday skills we rarely think about learning. That usually changes when we meet someone who doesn’t know where to begin.
Growing up doesn’t mean we learn everything we need. Some people move out without knowing how to manage money, do basic chores, or look after themselves on their own. What feels like common sense to one person might be totally new to someone else.
People online shared the everyday skills that surprise them most when other adults don’t know how to do them. From simple chores to practical tasks many of us take for granted, these stories might make you think differently about what counts as a basic life skill.
#21
Knowing how to properly clean your own home is seriously underrated.
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14points
#22
The craziest example I’ve ever seen was a foreign exchange student who came from a very wealthy family.
She was staying with my friend’s family, and one day she wanted toast for lunch. She was so accustomed to having a private chef that she had to double-check with us to make sure she was putting the bread into the toaster correctly.
Then came the butter.
She was genuinely intimidated by the idea of spreading it herself. She was literally trembling while holding the butter knife, like she had been handed some kind of unfamiliar tool.
She was staying with my friend’s family, and one day she wanted toast for lunch. She was so accustomed to having a private chef that she had to double-check with us to make sure she was putting the bread into the toaster correctly.
Then came the butter.
She was genuinely intimidated by the idea of spreading it herself. She was literally trembling while holding the butter knife, like she had been handed some kind of unfamiliar tool.
14points
#23
Swimming. A group of 4 friends invited me swimming a few weeks ago. Out of all of 5 us I was the only one that could swim. Mind you I am 20 years old.
Most of them were around my age or a bit older. One of them has also never dunked her head under the water and refuses to…. I am a great swimmer with many lifeguard qualifications and genuinely offered to teach all of them because I was appalled and it’s boring asf just wading in waist high water when you expected to be going for a swim around the lake.
None of them were interested because they are scared or don’t believe that they need that life skill. I get that not everyone is at a more advanced level, but you should at least know the basics of swimming so that you can save yourself or someone else if it comes down to it.
Most of them were around my age or a bit older. One of them has also never dunked her head under the water and refuses to…. I am a great swimmer with many lifeguard qualifications and genuinely offered to teach all of them because I was appalled and it’s boring asf just wading in waist high water when you expected to be going for a swim around the lake.
None of them were interested because they are scared or don’t believe that they need that life skill. I get that not everyone is at a more advanced level, but you should at least know the basics of swimming so that you can save yourself or someone else if it comes down to it.
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14points
#25
How to do dishes properly and wring out the sponge so that it doesn’t get stanky.
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13points
#26
Food safety. You cannot touch raw chicken and then go around touching everything. Wash your hands. And what internal temps should be. Stop eating undercooked meat please, I have seen someone eat fairly underdone chicken and then was surprised when I explained they could get super sick.
Also, washing your hands correctly. A little pump of soap and 2 seconds of water does nothing for you.
Also, washing your hands correctly. A little pump of soap and 2 seconds of water does nothing for you.
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13points
#27
Conflict Resolution. Unfortunately a large amount of people grew up in toxic/unsafe households where they were taught toxic, aggressive , and even violent ways to handle and approach conflict.
It’s very rare I come across someone who is genuinely adequate or capable of de escalating a conflicting/dangerous situation. The opposite is also true unfortunately where on the end of the spectrum, people that grew up with parents/guardians/caretakers who avoided conflict altogether.
It’s very pervasive issue that can observed among all people and work industries even if you observe closely enough.
It’s very rare I come across someone who is genuinely adequate or capable of de escalating a conflicting/dangerous situation. The opposite is also true unfortunately where on the end of the spectrum, people that grew up with parents/guardians/caretakers who avoided conflict altogether.
It’s very pervasive issue that can observed among all people and work industries even if you observe closely enough.
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13points
#29
The fact that actions have consequences.
My ex was always telling me about stuff that “just happens to her”. No, stuff doesn’t just happen. You don’t live in a vacuum. If you push a kid he falls. That’s not an act of god that’s your own action. So take some responsibility because you're hurting people.
My ex was always telling me about stuff that “just happens to her”. No, stuff doesn’t just happen. You don’t live in a vacuum. If you push a kid he falls. That’s not an act of god that’s your own action. So take some responsibility because you're hurting people.
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12points
#30
That in most of North America, streets are laid out odd numbers on one side, evens on the other. And you can make a good estimate of how far down the road your destination is by looking at house numbers.
Example: You're delivering pizza to 101 Elm Street and you turn off Main Street and see the first house on the right is 19, the first house on the left is 20. At the next intersection, the first homes are 43 and 40.
This tells that 101 will be on your right side and about six more blocks down.
Every cabbie, pizza guy, cop and delivery driver back in the day knew this. But today people rely on GPS which is well known for getting locations of single family homes wrong. (Because it uses this estimate rule based on the map, not the actual properties.).
Example: You're delivering pizza to 101 Elm Street and you turn off Main Street and see the first house on the right is 19, the first house on the left is 20. At the next intersection, the first homes are 43 and 40.
This tells that 101 will be on your right side and about six more blocks down.
Every cabbie, pizza guy, cop and delivery driver back in the day knew this. But today people rely on GPS which is well known for getting locations of single family homes wrong. (Because it uses this estimate rule based on the map, not the actual properties.).
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11points
#31
Art of conversation.... Its all me me me me me now.... Main character syndrome throughout....
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11points
#32
How to SHOP for cooking.
The "its cheaper to eat out" sentiment going around just tells me people dont know how to shop efficiently to feed themselves.
You dont shop for individual meals/recipes, of course that's going to get expensive. You shop for staple ingredients then learn how to combine/season/prepare those ingredients into different meals.
You buy large(r) packs of proteins like chicken and ground beef/pork, eggs, large bags of rice/potatoes/lentils and frozen/fresh veggies from costco. The meat we portion and freeze. We buy onions, garlic, avocados/other extras/seasonings as needed. We slowly built up a collection of seasonings over the years but you can get started with a few staples. We shop deals and what's in season for fruits/vegetables. Snacks also come from costco. So does bread, we just freeze the extra loaves then thaw when we need them. We get a big block of cheese from costco, portion it out and freeze.
You can also chop up and freeze bell peppers, onions, broccoli/cauliflower, carrots, peas (if youre into soups/stews/French cooking in general you can cut up a typical mirepoix mix and freeze it to have it ready to go), etc. Super easy to add to dinners and allows you to take advantage of bulk produce pricing and not worry about it rotting before you eat it all.
Anything we can't get at costco I price match using Flipp.
We cook enough at dinner to have lunches the next day that we take to work.
Are our weekly dinners restaurant quality? Of course not. Theyre not meant to be. Theyre meant to be balanced, filling and enjoyable, if a little repetitive. Too many people are too convenienced by doordash and completely lost the art of feeding themselves efficiently.
The "its cheaper to eat out" sentiment going around just tells me people dont know how to shop efficiently to feed themselves.
You dont shop for individual meals/recipes, of course that's going to get expensive. You shop for staple ingredients then learn how to combine/season/prepare those ingredients into different meals.
You buy large(r) packs of proteins like chicken and ground beef/pork, eggs, large bags of rice/potatoes/lentils and frozen/fresh veggies from costco. The meat we portion and freeze. We buy onions, garlic, avocados/other extras/seasonings as needed. We slowly built up a collection of seasonings over the years but you can get started with a few staples. We shop deals and what's in season for fruits/vegetables. Snacks also come from costco. So does bread, we just freeze the extra loaves then thaw when we need them. We get a big block of cheese from costco, portion it out and freeze.
You can also chop up and freeze bell peppers, onions, broccoli/cauliflower, carrots, peas (if youre into soups/stews/French cooking in general you can cut up a typical mirepoix mix and freeze it to have it ready to go), etc. Super easy to add to dinners and allows you to take advantage of bulk produce pricing and not worry about it rotting before you eat it all.
Anything we can't get at costco I price match using Flipp.
We cook enough at dinner to have lunches the next day that we take to work.
Are our weekly dinners restaurant quality? Of course not. Theyre not meant to be. Theyre meant to be balanced, filling and enjoyable, if a little repetitive. Too many people are too convenienced by doordash and completely lost the art of feeding themselves efficiently.
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11points
#34
27 here. Cooking. Going to University in my early 20's. I didn't realize how many people had never turned on an oven before.
Awareness of one's surroundings. This is bad with phones.
The ability to listen and use critical thinking skills.
The ability to have a conversation.
Basic house chores. Doing dishes, laundry, cleaning/cleanliness.
Awareness of one's surroundings. This is bad with phones.
The ability to listen and use critical thinking skills.
The ability to have a conversation.
Basic house chores. Doing dishes, laundry, cleaning/cleanliness.
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10points
#37
How to tackle owning your mistakes before someone finds out about them. If you discover you’ve messed up, hiding makes it grow and quickly.
My previous manager would hide his mistakes from our director. Even when confronted, he would find any/every excuse under the sun as to why it happened except for his involvement. Eventually, he lost all credibility and was pretty much treated like a child for the rest of his career.
My previous manager would hide his mistakes from our director. Even when confronted, he would find any/every excuse under the sun as to why it happened except for his involvement. Eventually, he lost all credibility and was pretty much treated like a child for the rest of his career.
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9points
#38
Basic Political awareness
The amount of people twice my age ive had think for example that russia is still communist is frightening
And its more frightening that such people can vote.
The amount of people twice my age ive had think for example that russia is still communist is frightening
And its more frightening that such people can vote.
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9points
#39
Finances. It was a bit of a shock to me when my co-worker (who makes more than I do) was talking about a problem he was having. He somehow had $100 left in his bank account and was having trouble figuring out how to spend it. There are multiple red flags here!
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9points
