Have you ever met someone who just… couldn’t do the most basic thing? Like boil water. Or read a map. Or properly use a turn signal?
It’s wild how some fundamental life skills—things you’d think everyone would know—aren’t actually that common. Whether it's sewing on a button, managing money, or just being able to listen without interrupting, the gap can be surprisingly wide.
Curious (and maybe a little concerned), I asked the Bored Panda community: What’s one basic skill everyone should have… but many clearly don’t? The answers are eye-opening, hilarious, and a little too relatable.
Got one of your own? Drop it in the comments—I’m all ears!
#2
How to do basic research and to distinguish legitimate sources of information from bad ones. How to sort out facts from propaganda.
Report
39points
#4
Seems to be a lost art, and honestly, I can’t remember the last time I did it, but everyone should be able to sew on a button.
Report
35points
#6
Patience and compassion. For pete's sake, slow down on the road. Stop shoving and respect the queue/line. Wait for someone to be out of your way before you decide to push through. Stop shouting at others for existing. You're likely just as much in the way of someone as someone is in the way of you.
Report
32points
#7
The ability to apologize, mean it and amend one's behaviors and words accordingly in the future.
Report
31points
#9
Learn to repair simple things. Whether it's clothing or things around the house. Learn to use tools.
A gasket to replace in a toilet tank is maybe $6.00 as oppose to calling a plumber wondering why your toilet won't flush or keeps running.
A gasket to replace in a toilet tank is maybe $6.00 as oppose to calling a plumber wondering why your toilet won't flush or keeps running.
Report
29points
#11
One basic skill everyone should have: knowing the difference between the words "your" and "you're", and between "their", "there", and "they're" and using them correctly when writing, especially when posting on social media. Incorrect usage indicates the poster is at least partially illiterate; credibility comes into question. I'm not a language expert, just an average U.S. person who received average U.S. public schooling, and that was sufficient for me to achieve a mastery of grammar and spelling, without even making a concerted effort to do so. Perhaps it just came as natural to me? I sure don't feel like I'm exceptional.
Report
28points
#12
Ignoring social media, especially the fake world of insta and the absurd platform TikTok. Nothing good will ever come of it, as the last years have shown us. Younger people have lost the ability to be truly social, thinking a filtered and faked platform can somehow replace interaction with real beings.
Report
28points
#14
Oh and I will add one more 'common sense'......such a lack of it these days.
Report
27points
#16
Basic understanding of money management plus how to cook simple dishes.
Report
26points
#18
Basic automotive maintenance:
How to check your fluids, change a tire, etc. ...
How to check your fluids, change a tire, etc. ...
Report
24points
#19
Cooking. Swimming. Basic blade safety and maintenance. Basic first aid.
Report
20points
