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!
#21
Patience. How to wait instead of "getting it all right now." Recognizing that wanting and needing are not the same. Working toward your goals.
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18points
#22
The basic skill of respecting other people. Not deferring, or agreeing, or bending the knee, just basic human respect. If you don't like or agree with their choices (like clothing, and religion), or non-choices (like race and sexual orientation/gender identity), then try either shutting up and letting them be, or trying to understand them, or maybe moving on to topics you do agree on? Hmm? Basic respect for other human beings?
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16points
#23
The ability to see flaws in themselves and be willing to try to change them to become a better person.
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15points
#24
How to use a checking account. When I was a bank teller, I was kinda horrified by the amount of customers who had no idea how basic checking worked. They had no idea how to balance their checkbook. This was especially true of recent high school graduates. We always took the time to educate them. Just wondered why their parents never did. Actually had more than one customer who said, "I can't be out of money. I still have checks left."
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14points
#25
Computer basics. Even in a smartphone. As in here are your programs: how to make folders, how to delete things. The basics.
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14points
#27
Sewing. So many people are surprised when I say I know how to sew. And that I do my own (minor) car maintenance. Basic spelling and grammar seem to be lost. Can't stand it when people write out "would of" "could of" etc. when it's really "would've" "could've" (would have, could have) also a lot of people write etcetera as "ect"... this all seems like elementary school knowledge, or at least it was when I was a kid.
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11points
#28
Reading and writing. Yes, you have them, but how's your skill in writing well with minimum mistakes in grammar and spelling? You read but how is your reading comprehension? Can you tell me what you read a day later?
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11points
#30
Basic math. I know it's a lost art by now with everyone using cards or apps, but knowing math helps when budgeting. Do know what's in your account and what you can spend? If you do use cash, are you sure you're getting the correct change back? Wanna thank my dad for that lesson.
10points
#31
Basic manners.
10points
#32
Basic manners and politeness, like letting people get out of an elevator first, greeting people, etc.
8points
#33
Grammar, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization.
7points
#35
Cooking. Also, "changing:" -Men: changing a diaper; Women: changing a tire.
6points
#36
Reading cursive.
6points
#37
From Robert A. Heinlein: “A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.” I think *maybe* I can manage about 17 of those. Many of them badly, but still...
5points
#38
How to Think.
A good second would be how to speak.
A good second would be how to speak.
5points
#39
As a shift manager in a factory, I just wish all people had the skill to do their job proactively.
4points
#40
Balance a checkbook.
2points