Life Skills

[3TrueFans]

A little OT:
It seems as though, kids these days are getting dumber. With the advances in technology, video games, computers, etc, they seem to lack some basic skills because everything is given to them in a different way than it was only 10-15 years ago.
I.E. I was training a 7th grade girl a while ago and asked her what time it was. Our facility only has analog clocks and this girl didn't have her cell phone near by. She said she didn't know what time it was. I said, there's a clock over there by the door. She said, Yeah, I don't know how to read those clocks. I was like wtf... She said, her school, house, car, and phone all have digital clocks. She was never taught how to read an analog clock..... wow.

My guess is "she was never taught how" would be more correct as "she was too stupid to learn".

 

[bos]

A little OT:
It seems as though, kids these days are getting dumber. With the advances in technology, video games, computers, etc, they seem to lack some basic skills because everything is given to them in a different way than it was only 10-15 years ago.
I.E. I was training a 7th grade girl a while ago and asked her what time it was. Our facility only has analog clocks and this girl didn't have her cell phone near by. She said she didn't know what time it was. I said, there's a clock over there by the door. She said, Yeah, I don't know how to read those clocks. I was like wtf... She said, her school, house, car, and phone all have digital clocks. She was never taught how to read an analog clock..... wow.

Dont they teach this stuff in school? when I was kid they had cardboard clocks with dials the teacher would move and ask us the time.

 

[cyclonedave25]

My guess is "she was never taught how" would be more correct as "she was too stupid to learn".

That could be, because this girl is one of the dumbest I have ever met.
But, then I thought to myself, who can't learn to read an analog clock?!?! The numbers are in front of your face!!
Either way, its pathetic and sad.

 

[CYphyllis]

A little OT:
It seems as though, kids these days are getting dumber. With the advances in technology, video games, computers, etc, they seem to lack some basic skills because everything is given to them in a different way than it was only 10-15 years ago.
I.E. I was training a 7th grade girl a while ago and asked her what time it was. Our facility only has analog clocks and this girl didn't have her cell phone near by. She said she didn't know what time it was. I said, there's a clock over there by the door. She said, Yeah, I don't know how to read those clocks. I was like wtf... She said, her school, house, car, and phone all have digital clocks. She was never taught how to read an analog clock..... wow.

Easy gramps, analog clocks are yesterdays news. Maybe instead of wasting time on teaching the kids how to read them, how about just pony up the ten extra bucks and get a damn digital.

 

[cyclonedave25]

Dont they teach this stuff in school? when I was kid they had cardboard clocks with dials the teacher would move and ask us the time.

Yes, at least when I was in grade school they did. I'm not sure if they don't teach it anymore because of most places using digital clocks. I'd be surprised if they actually stopped teaching how to read clocks though. It should go along with simple shapes and colors.

 

[cyclonedave25]

Easy gramps, analog clocks are yesterdays news. Maybe instead of wasting time on teaching the kids how to read them, how about just pony up the ten extra bucks and get a damn digital.

Gramps? I'm 25 years old. What are you 10?
Why waste money on teaching kids to read analog clocks? That should go along with, why waste money on kids learning basic math skills. They can just use calculators, right?

 

[bos]

Easy gramps, analog clocks are yesterdays news. Maybe instead of wasting time on teaching the kids how to read them, how about just pony up the ten extra bucks and get a damn digital.

What happens when the apolalypse comes and wipes out our energy sources and you have left in your house is a wind up clock. Yeah, bet youll be sorry then. You kids and your hoola hoops.

 

[Three4Cy]

Even though most people don't write checks anymore, kids still need to know how to write a check. It is not nearly as essential as it used to be, but they still need to know how to do it, since there are still a few things you have to write a check for. Unfortunately, not everyone/everything can be paid with a debit card.

When I managed a college bookstore, I was amazed at the fact kids couldn't write a check to pay for their books, and asked me or my staff to it for them.

 

[tejasclone]

I would add some general behavior skills, like:

Don't be a ******
Treat other people with common courtesy and respect
Have awareness that you are not, in fact, the most important person in the world

 

[CYphyllis]

What happens when the apolalypse comes and wipes out our energy sources and you have left in your house is a wind up clock. Yeah, bet youll be sorry then. You kids and your hoola hoops.

Not a problem, I power my entire home with orphans riding bikes attached to generators in my basement. You work for your food in my home.

 

[cyrocksmypants]

Although it goes with personal finance, I'd like to specify balancing a checkbook. It amazes me how many people can't do that. And how to do laundry.

I would argue some of these. There's really not much of a need to learn how to drive a manual transmission, unless you like collecting vintage cars or something. I'd also argue changing ones oil. I know how to, but never have. It's less hassle and really not much more expensive just to take it to Jiffy Lube and pay 20 bucks.

 

[ISUCLONES15]

I hope you don't drive a pickup truck. IMO pickup trucks w/out manual transmissions are for girls. A truck should have a stick shift in it.

Or maybe someone would rather sit back and relax when they drive instead of worrying about shifting. I know how to drive a manual transmission but I choose to buy/drive an automatic. Doesn't make me any less of a man as some of the "tough guys" think.

 

[oldman]

Teach daughters to bait a hook and take the fish off themselves. My wife won't do it and it really cuts into my fishing time.

My daughter really loves to fish. When she was younger, I told her "I can take you fishing or you can go fishing with me. If I take you fishing, I'll bait your hook and take off your fish. If you go fishing with me, you'll have to do that stuff yourself. But you'll get to go a lot more often." She learned.

By the way, I think guys should learn how to iron their clothes.

 

[3TrueFans]

Although it goes with personal finance, I'd like to specify balancing a checkbook. It amazes me how many people can't do that. And how to do laundry.

I would argue some of these. There's really not much of a need to learn how to drive a manual transmission, unless you like collecting vintage cars or something. I'd also argue changing ones oil. I know how to, but never have. It's less hassle and really not much more expensive just to take it to Jiffy Lube and pay 20 bucks.

Who balances a check book at this point?

 

[GeronimusClone]

You ever run across people who don't know how to do some of the most practical and simple skills in life? I guess I was lucky to have parents who taught me a wide array of skills that would come in handy in the real world. I would like to formulate a list of skills that you think EVERY person should know how to do.

I will start with
1. Change a flat tire
2. Drive a manual transmission

3. Build an ark.

 

[2020cy]

Teach daughters to bait a hook and take the fish off themselves. My wife won't do it and it really cuts into my fishing time.

Don't take her fishing.

 

[CYphyllis]

Who balances a check book at this point?

I don't know, who still uses checks other then for the occasional bill? There is nothing more annoying then someone paying at a register with a damn check, it's called a debit card.

 

[besserheimerphat]

Start a cooking fire with one match and NO accelerant (gas, kerosene, butane, etc).

Know how to tie and when to use different kinds of knots.

Be able to drive backwards using only your side mirrors (I also think every vehicle should be required to come with convex side mirrors just for this purpose).

Parallel park!

I think the "drive a manual" arguement is outdated anymore. Autos can get equal or better mileage than sticks now, and the majority of cars sold are autos. Many of the high end sports cars only offer manual DSGs with paddle shifters so there's still no clutch. That said, I'd like to drive a manual for my next vehicle.

 

[GeronimusClone]

I would add some general behavior skills, like:

Don't be a ******
Treat other people with common courtesy and respect
Have awareness that you are not, in fact, the most important person in the world

Normal social skills are undervalued.
If someone says "excuse me" as they try to get by you in a bar, just get out of the way. Don't stare at them in your Affliction shirt like you own the world.
Realize that everyone in the world doesn't have to get along or like each other; but we need to tolerate each other.
There's always time to be polite.
Always hold the door for people.
The truth is the only thing that has no expiration date.
Don't be a ****** bag.

 

[GeorgeCloney]

Personal finance.

I echo this one.