25 Skills Every Man Should Know: The List, Ready for Your Debate

Popular Mechanics ^ | September 12, 2007 | Editors

[Teacher317]

Thank you!!

[Centurion2000]

bump

[SittinYonder]

I can also, with proper instruction, buy panty hose and feminine hygiene products as single items.(for my wife)

I wouldn't try that.

[CodeMasterPhilzar]

Good call, learning to drive a manual is essential.

I’d add:

xx) Change a flat tire.

xx) Jump start a car/truck.

xx) Reset a circuit breaker. (or replace older fuses)

xx) Replace a fuse in your vehicle.

xx) Check tire pressure and wear on your vehicle.

xx) Unclog a toilet and/or drain, including safely unclogging a garbage disposal.

xx) Repair a window screen.

xx) Hang a picture centered/level.

[7thson]

1. Patch a radiator hose

I can see a need for this but do not know how.

2. Protect your computer

I can do this.

3. Rescue a boater who has capsized

I don’t go on the water.

4. Frame a wall

I can see a need for this but don’t know how.

5. Retouch digital photos

I can do this.

6. Back up a trailer

I don’t have a trailer and have no plan to ever have one.

7. Build a campfire

I can see a need for this.

8. Fix a dead outlet

I can do this.

9. Navigate with a map and compass

I can do this.

10. Use a torque wrench

I must admit I do not know what a torque wrench is.

11. Sharpen a knife

I can do this.

12. Perform CPR

I need to relearn this.

13. Fillet a fish

I can see a need for this but I don’t know how.

14. Maneuver a car out of a skid

I’ve done this in minor skids.

15. Get a car unstuck

I have done this.

16. Back up data

Have done this.

17. Paint a room

Have done this.

18. Mix concrete

I can see a need for this but have never done it.

19. Clean a bolt-action rifle

I can see a need for this but I don’t own any firearms.

20. Change oil and filter

Do this most of the time. The only time I do not is when I either do not have the time or if it’s too cold outside.

21. Hook up an HDTV

Don’t know how to do this but I have a feeling I will be learning how to soon.

22. Bleed brakes

Cannot do this.

23. Paddle a canoe

I can do this but see number 3.

24. Fix a bike flat

I have never mastered this. I am one of those spastics that can’t do this.

25. Extend your wireless network

Someone tell me why I need to do this.

I would like to add to the list -

Re-shingle a roof.

Clean gutters.

Do minor car repairs.

Stand up and protect the weak.

[Lurking in Kansas]

I didn’t see belch and fart anywhere on the list.

Or how to sneak in home and get in bed without waking the misses.

[vetsvette]

Skills every woman should have:

1. Bitch

2. Moan

That’s it. LOL

[CodeMasterPhilzar]

Grin, I have done every one of those except 3 and 12, which I think I know how to do. Although my CPR cert isn’t current. I should probably go take a refresher class.

[July 4th]

Definitely.

[Lurking in Kansas]

I am proud to say, I have successfully done all 25!

Braggart!

But can you explain NASCAR's scoring system??

[LonePalm]

Ping

Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)

[7thson]

One of my favorite CW songs by a great performer. Saw him in concert back in 1990. Earl Thomas Conley, Kentucky Headhunters, and Bocephus. Great show! A simple song that says it all.

[CaliGirlGodHelpMe]

Very good list, but I would add one other as a necessity: A man should be able to read and understand a contract BEFORE he signs.

[Dixie Yooper]

I am proud to say, I have successfully done all 25!

Me Too! Well maybe #'s 3,6,12 & 22 didn't go so well, but I can always try again! (just kidding)

[Lurking in Kansas]

Why do they pick a ‘bolt action’ rifle? Dumb.

Yup, real men shoot assault-style weapons.

;-)

[Rummenigge]

Forgot to mention - make a value analysis of stocks and build up an international portfolio.

Bleed Brakes ? Fix radiator tube?
What are you drivin’ over there - Tin Lizzy ?

[Cymbaline]

I would have trouble with #4 and #13, possibly with #7. I did #22 back in high school on my ‘65 Buick, what a PITA that was.

[IronJack]

Okay, fellas. Let's put together the same list for the ladies. I'll start:

1) Check your vehicle's oil
2) Shovel snow off your sidewalks/driveway
3) Drive a nail
4) Fry eggs
5) Pay your bills on time
6) Start a campfire
7) Use a plunger
8) Reset a circuit breaker or replace a fuse
9) Step on a spider
10) Turn on/off the TV/stereo/computer
11) Sit through a scary movie without shrieking
12) Sit through a sad movie without blubbering
13) Avoid sitting through movies with Meryl Streep in them
14) Lower the toilet seat if it's up before you use the commode

I'm sure there are more ...

[sportutegrl]

Okay, I have a complete copy of the trailer stored in the basement, but every time I try to back up the computer, it jacknifes.

[shawnlaw]

1. Patch a radiator hose
Take car to the shop
2. Protect your computer
Don't connect to the internet (except FR)
3. Rescue a boater who has capsized
Call the coast guard
4. Frame a wall
Call a carpenter
5. Retouch digital photos
Have the wife do it (Mrs. Shawnlaw is pretty artsy)
6. Back up a trailer
Call the wife (Mrs. Shawnlaw is also a goat rancher and can back a trailer into a tight goat pen blind folded)
7. Build a campfire
Have the boy do it, he's a Life scout and really enjoys fire
8. Fix a dead outlet
Call an electrician
9. Navigate with a map and compass
See number 7, boy scout to the rescue!
10. Use a torque wrench
Take car to the shop?
11. Sharpen a knife
Take the knife to camp and have my buddy chef bubba demonstrate knife sharpening skills for the scouts
12. Perform CPR
Call an ambulance unless its a blond babe
13. Fillet a fish
Go to McDonalds
14. Maneuver a car out of a skid
Say a prayer
15. Get a car unstuck
Call a tow truck
16. Back up data
Don't have data that needs to be backed up, otherwise call my buddy Roger to come over and back it up for me for a beer or two
17. Paint a room
Call a painter or wait untill Mrs. Shawnlaw can't stand the walls and let her do it
18. Mix concrete
Call my buddy that does concrete, have him do it on the weekend. Pay for materials beer and steak for labor
19. Clean a bolt-action rifle
This is hard. Take it to a gun repair shop after the last shell refuses to eject? Maybe call chef bubba over and have a few beers while he cleans the rifle?
20. Change oil and filter
Take car to the shop
21. Hook up an HDTV
Let the boy do it. He knows where all the little cable thingies go
22. Bleed brakes
Take car to the shop
23. Paddle a canoe
Let the boy do the paddling, he could get a merit badge for it!
24. Fix a bike flat
Le the boy do it or take it to the shop.
25. Extend your wireless network
Get a different cell phone