Article created by: Saulė Tolstych

The neat thing about our existence is that everyone gets to experience different lives. Sure, there could be a couple of similarities between a person or two - however, the way we talk, our thoughts, and the things we go through all would be entirely unlike someone else's.

Growing up in other cultures or simply in a different upbringing can help develop several skills that some people either can’t perform as well or never had the need to learn. Yet, we assume that we are all familiar with those everyday skills like vacuuming and cooking - however, this thread will convince you otherwise:

Someone on Reddit wondered about a similar thing and asked fellow users, “what is a basic skill that you grew up thinking everyone had until you saw others do it so horribly?“. The question received nearly 44K upvotes and 24K worth of both entertaining and sincere comments.

Do you have a skill that you thought was basic?

More info: Reddit

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#1

Politeness

Handwritten sign about sharing plants and maintaining garden, illustrating basic skills people often misunderstand or do poorly. Being polite/having manners

Marcella111001 , Michael Coghlan Report

Final score:
3points
POST
RELATED:
    #2

    Being Able To Read Analog Clocks

    Person studying multiple clocks on a wall, illustrating basic skills many people struggle with as shared online. I’m noticing that a lot of younger people can’t read analog clocks…

    NoetherianSimp , Doug McCaughan Report

    Final score:
    3points
    POST
    #3

    Bagging Things

    Young child carrying heavy grocery bags while walking on driveway, illustrating basic skills many thought everyone had. Bagging groceries. I mean, isn't it common sense to put all the frozen items in one bag, produce in another, raw meat by itself in a bag, cleaners separate from food? Does it really have to be taught that you shouldn't put a cantaloupe on top of bread?

    biancanevenc , oddharmonic Report

    Final score:
    3points
    POST
    #4

    Knowing Your Words

    Old dictionaries on a shelf representing basic skills and knowledge often assumed as universal or common. I don't want to brag, but I know the difference between "definitely" and "defiantly".

    remarkable-bells , romana klee Report

    Final score:
    3points
    POST
    #5

    Being Gentle With Things

    Person using a power drill to assemble furniture, demonstrating basic skills many folks thought everyone had until seen otherwise. Being gentle with your things. Any time we get help from siblings and their spouses I'm astounded by how roughly they treat all of their things/how rough of a job they're ok with accepting. Also when assembling furniture.. My best mate put together a set of shelves using a drill as a driver on the short and easy to insert Allen keyed screws.. Stripped half of the heads and forced a few in at slightly off-angles and also stripped their threads a bit. Like what are you doing bro? Could have just used an Allen key by hand and put it together in the same time without damaging anything. a number of people have mentioned using their drill/driver with the right torque setting (and an appropriate amount of skill.!). Yes I agree this is perfectly fine! I didn't mean to say you should never use a driver to assemble furniture, but more that you should know how to use your tools, use what is necessary, and do it with the right level of enthusiasm/strength

    GlassCannonLife , jseliger1 Report

    Final score:
    3points
    POST
    #6

    Knowing The Cutlery

    Hand holding a clean can opener over soapy water, demonstrating one of the basic skills people often struggle with. I kid you not, I lived with a guy once who had a butler his whole life. Things I taught him: The funky knife with a hole in it is not useless, it's a potato peeler You open cans with a can opener Nothing needs to be microwaved for 10 minutes For the record, I really liked this guy and he was incredibly fun and kind.

    Handsome121duck , Donna Nicholson Arnott Report

    Final score:
    3points
    POST
    #7

    Using Turn Signals

    Close-up of car turn signal lever showing basic skills needed for operating vehicle controls correctly. The ability to use a turn signal.

    Outrageous_Click_352 , Mechanic Base Report

    Final score:
    2points
    POST
    #8

    Grammar

    Two people at a casual gathering demonstrating basic skills many thought everyone had but some struggle with. Their/there/they're.

    donquixote235 , Simon Law Report

    Final score:
    2points
    POST
    #9

    Being Able To Figure Stuff Out

    Baby in a red shirt closely watching a laptop screen, highlighting basic skills many people struggle with online. Being able and willing to figure stuff out. A lot of basic skills aren't that complicated. And in this day, if it is complicated, the internet almost certainly has dozens, hundreds, or more, tutorials. Quitting because "I don't know how" should not be the answer. I wish more were taught to figure things out, or seek the help/answers to get it done.

    naphomci , Jeff Boulter Report

    Final score:
    2points
    POST
    #10

    Chewing

    Young man eating a burrito messily at a restaurant, illustrating basic skills many people assume everyone has. Chewing with your mouth closed.

    liton8or , Brandon Report

    Final score:
    2points
    POST
    #11

    Emptying The Dryer Lint

    Hand holding green lint gathered from dryer lint trap, illustrating basic skills many thought everyone had. Laundry, especially emptying the dryer lint. So many places I’ve stayed had “bad driers” that were packed full of lint! How these people did not start a fire is amazing.

    [deleted] , rmkoske Report

    Final score:
    2points
    POST
    #12

    Using Computers

    Person using a smartphone with visible typing on screen, demonstrating basic skills that many struggle with online. I'm still amazed at how many people my age still can't use computers properly. I don't mean in the too old or too poor category, I'm talking about the sheer number of people in my age group who skipped past computers and went straight to smartphones. (I'm 21)

    Arcinbiblo12 , Esther Vargas Report

    Final score:
    2points
    POST
    #13

    Following Written Directions

    Man reading instructions indoors, illustrating basic skills many folks thought everyone had until seeing others do it badly I'm shocked at how bad some people are at following writen directions. Not travel, but like... assemble furniture, follow a recipe or experiment, read an instruction manual.

    UnluckyObserver_1 , Quinn Dombrowski Report

    Final score:
    2points
    POST
    #14

    Staying Clean

    Two black and white cats on an orange surface, one grooming the other, illustrating basic skills shared online. DarkMonkey98 said: hygiene chouston333 replied: This is a big problem. My parents didn't teach me good hygiene. I stank all the time and it's not something people will tell you about. They will complain to people around you. My wife taught me better hygiene and it has changed my life. I'm doing much better professionally and random strangers are no longer mean to me seemingly for no reason. I wish there was a good resource I could refer my stinky friends to so they could learn about it.

    DarkMonkey98 , Paddy and Dushi Report

    Final score:
    2points
    POST
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #15

    Financial Planning

    Stack of hundred dollar bills held together with a yellow rubber band representing basic skills in handling money. Budgeting

    TheYellowBuhnana , 401(K) 2012 Report

    Final score:
    2points
    POST
    #16

    First Aid Skills

    Person rolling up shirt sleeve, demonstrating a basic skill many thought everyone had until seen done poorly. Basic first aid. Buddy in college got cut and didn’t understand how to make it stop bleeding and bandage/disinfect it properly, I was amazed.

    epic-tortoise- , Patrick Haney Report

    Final score:
    2points
    POST
    #17

    Reading

    Toddler practicing basic skills by reading a book while sitting on a toy in a colorful playroom environment. reading, i sit in my highschool english class everyday and wonder how these mfs got past 2 grade reading a whole page in a monotone in one breath

    BoostedNova62 , Quinn Dombrowski Report

    Final score:
    2points
    POST
    #18

    Troubleshooting

    Windows troubleshooting screen showing completed keyboard issues check, illustrating basic skills people thought everyone had. I thought that everyone younger than me knows how to do basic computer troubleshooting. Turns out a fair of people younger than myself don't know how to look up answers online, it honestly baffled me.

    SandpaperVoice Report

    Final score:
    2points
    POST
    #19

    Cooking

    Stirring cooked noodles in a pan demonstrating basic cooking skills many assume everyone masters. Basic cooking skills. I once saw a guy try to cook pasta by dumping raw pasta shells in a frying pan with a little oil...

    Sneaky_Arachnid , becky berry Report

    Final score:
    2points
    POST
    #20

    Reading A Map

    Two people studying a city map outdoors, illustrating basic skills people often assume others know well. Reading a map. I grew up traveling long before computers. I've handed several adults paper maps while driving and they didn't even know how to find where we were. I guess it isn't a skill you need anymore though.

    scubagirl44 , Jules Grandgagnage Report

    Final score:
    1point
    POST
    #21

    Choosing Words Wisely

    People demonstrating basic skills while interacting at an outdoor event with an information booth and displays. Watching your mouth as an adult. I’m pretty abrasive with people that I’m close with, but I know how to be professional, especially in front of customers. Worked with a fair few people in the restaurant industry who just do not get it. Blows my mind

    thenicestegg , Vinqui Report

    Final score:
    1point
    POST
    #22

    Writing An Email

    Person using a laptop computer demonstrating basic skills many people struggle with as shared online. Writing an email with proper grammar and formatting seems obvious and easy to me, but I see so many people at work who are just the worst

    TheRealOcsiban , Jonathan Alvarsson Report

    Final score:
    1point
    POST
    #23

    Mopping And Sweeping

    Young boy practicing basic skills by sweeping a patio, demonstrating everyday tasks many struggle to do correctly. Mopping/sweeping

    ThatGuyWithThatFace_ , GoonSquadSarah Report

    Final score:
    1point
    POST
    #24

    Sewing

    Gray tabby cat sitting inside an old sewing machine, illustrating basic skills that folks thought everyone had. Sewing. I thought I was a mediocre sewer because I wasn't great at cross-stitch and embroidery. Turns out fixing a button or seam is a skill.

    Philieselphy , kelly Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #25

    Doing The Dishes

    Kitchen sink filled with dirty dishes and cups showing lack of basic skills in cleaning and organization. Washing dishes

    19VimtoBoards , Kim Siever Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST

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