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Can adults live without Google Maps? Or even without reading medicine labels? 🤔
Being an adult isn’t just about paying bills or holding down a job: it’s about having a toolkit of life skills that make life smoother. But let’s be honest: not all “adult skills” feel equally important. Some are essential, some are useful but optional, and some, well…Maybe we are doing fine without them. 💁♀️
We’ve put together a list of 26 skills that many adults are expected to know. Your mission: decide whether they are essential or unnecessary. 🤯
🚀 💡 Want more or looking for something else? Head over to the Bored Panda Quizzes and explore our full collection of quizzes and trivia designed to test your knowledge, reveal hidden insights, and spark your curiosity.💡 🚀
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
You need to send a birthday gift to a relative by mail. Would you know how to package it properly, address it, and pay postage?
LillieMean 2 months ago
Sometimes I don't understand what people think when they pack packages. The latest example was a used console game that came in the mail and a couple of kitchen tissue papers were used to protect it from impacts. The case was completely smashed and that resulted in a return and refund hassle. Hopefully this person now understands the importance of sensible packaging.
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#2
It’s your turn to make dinner for the week. Can you plan the meals, shop, and cook them yourself?
BeesEelsAndPups 2 months ago
I am a single dad. But I can walk to the store and usually buy whatever I'm gonna make that day on my way to pickup the kiddos from school. I also tend to make enough so there are leftovers for my lunch the next day. I work from home, so it's ready to do.
#3
Your laundry basket is full. Should you know how to sort the clothes, choose the right programme, and get the washing going?
Mel in Georgia 2 months ago
I am super particular about washing clothes. As a result, my clothes last a long time.
#4
Your friend cuts their hand while cooking. Should you know how to handle it with basic first aid?
BeesEelsAndPups 2 months ago
Easy. First you're going to want to prevent potential infection, so get that meat clever and amputate the hand before germs from the cut spread into the blood. Now you've got to stop the bleeding. Cauterize the wound using the stove top. If it's a gas stove, just heat the clever over the flames until it's red hot. Otherwise you can just place the stump directly on the electric stove surface. Finally, don't forget to save the severed hand. It can be used to make any number of decorative items for the home. I like to fashion them into candy dishes by curling the fingers into a bowl shape before rigor sets in. Happy Halloween
#6
You’ve just made a new social media account. Do you know how to adjust privacy settings, read terms, and manage screen time responsibility?
Forrest Hobbs 2 months ago
I know *how* to read the T&Cs - but who's got the time for that? Just assume that the company's behaving appallingly, don't post anything personal or incriminating, set privacy to max and - yeah, *I* control my behaviour, not some blo*dy nagging machine. 🧐
#7
A sudden blackout leaves your home without power. Do you know how to handle the situation?
Forrest Hobbs 2 months ago
Heh. I was a kid in the UK in the 1970s. Oh yes I know about power cuts. Just go out to the garage and get the camping stove, lights, and so on indoors. Oh? What, you mean it's not currently the 1970s and I'm actually living hundreds of miles away from that resource? Umm... 🤣 Well, we've got candles and whatnot...
#8
A shelf in your room is wobbly. Could you fix it with basic tools like a screwdriver or hammer?
Auntriarch 2 months ago (edited)
If I had to. But I generally just bleat for Mr Auntriarch. I was going to call him my favourite multi tool but that's open to misinterpretation. Swiss army husband?
#9
You’re hiking and your phone dies. Can you orient yourself?
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 2 months ago
Yes but I would also be carrying a backup battery and an actual compass. $20 worth of gear that could save your life.
#10
A debate comes up about a new government decision. Do you understand how the branches of government work and what role they play?
#11
It’s the end of the month, and bills are due. Is it important to have a basic knowledge of expense tracking?
BeesEelsAndPups 2 months ago
Kind of depends really. If you live well below your means, it's not really something you need to think about. I have all my bills set to auto pay. But I also make enough money so I don't really need to work that hard at living below my means.
#12
You’re asked to explain an idea in a group. Should you know how to communicate clearly and politely?
#13
You want to achieve something big next year. Can you set realistic goals for yourself?
Mel in Georgia 2 months ago
My realistic goal is setting the bar so low it's easy to achieve it!
#14
You’re at a party with people you don’t know well. Do you understand social boundaries and non-verbal clues?
#15
You find a job you want to apply for. Should you know how to write a resume and send an application confidently?
Breadcrumb. 2 months ago
I live in a small enough town resumes are not as impressive or important as references. I think it took a year after I was hired before my boss asked for my resume.
#16
Your bathroom tiles are grimy, and there’s dust behind your appliances. Is it important to know how to clean those deep?
#17
Your car gets a flat tire on the road. Is it important to know how to change it?
#18
A bill arrives. Would you know how to pay online, by phone, or by post without trouble?
BeesEelsAndPups 2 months ago
I pay all my bills by carrier pigeon. I buy traveler's checks, and tie them into little rolls that I bury in random locations. I then tie a map to that location to the bird. The map is obviously encoded with a cypher, the key for which I send with another bird. It's called multifactor authentication.
#19
You need to contact your manager about a project. Can you write a clear, polite formal email?
Grape Walls of Ire 2 months ago
27% of the respondents think it's more important to know how to write a formal email than to know how the government works. Wow.
#20
You come across a questionable article online. Do you know how to fact-check it?
#22
Someone in your family has an emergency. Do you have a list of local contacts, like the hospital or police?
#23
The button on your favorite shirt falls off. Should you know how to sew it back on?
#24
A big national election is coming up. Do you know the key issues, current events, and government decisions?
Geoffrey Scott 2 months ago
I always try to be aware of all 'down ballot' issues as well, to make an informed decision.
#25
You’re about to attend a wedding. Should you know how to iron or steam your clothes?
#26
You’re signing up for your first job’s benefit package. Should you know how to read insurance contracts (health, auto, home, or life)?
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What do you think ?
Mel in Georgia 2 months ago
There were a lot of questions of "do you know how to ..." but then asked, "should an adult know how to ..." Everyone should know how to do these things, but there were a few I know I don't do well, if at all!
Mari 2 months ago
I think these are all basic skills. The only thing I can't is replacing a tire.
Forrest Hobbs 2 months ago
Replacing a modern tubeless tyre is a job for a trained mechanic in a workshop (there's a very long list of reasons why). It's one reason cars carry spare wheels with tyres fitted. Changing old fashioned tubed tyres is easier - I've done it. Still, I'd much rather just swap a wheel.
Load More Replies...
Joe Publique 2 months ago
Lots of confusion here. An adult will find all of these things useful. Some people are clearly answering 'can you do it' rather than 'should you be able to'. For instance, I find it hard to believe that anyone thinks an adult shouldn't be able to cook basic meals or understand basic household finances.
Auntriarch 2 months ago
Have another upvote, you made me laugh several times ☺️
Load More Replies...
CD Mills 2 months ago
I learned how to do so many things living out on a ranch, my husband loved that my Tomboy side never turned off. I've done every job a person can do on a ranch except one, which is shoeing a horse. Everybody says I'm too small, (I am a tiny chick) that if a horse started to lean onto me I couldn't hold up the weight of a 16 hand high horse. They are probably right. lol I can wield, it stays but it's ugly, I can back a truck up to a trailer, I'm a solid carpenter but a weak plumber, but I leave electricity to the pros. I'm a c**p mechanic but still did some because my hand was small enough to get into the space, had no idea what I was doing. I do love not having to wait for someone to replace the window pane, I do it myself.
nottheactualphoto 2 months ago
All the questions were "should an adult know how to do this?", not "do you know how to do this?" But so many people answered the question that was not asked.
Geoffrey Scott 2 months ago
Trying to figure out why this was not a multiple choice test. Would have been more illuminating.
Michelle C 2 months ago
I can understand people who might have grown up in poverty, near-complete isolation, or having other factors, such as disability, contributing to limitations nonetheless. For example, i’ve known people that know how to change a tire, but cannot drive for medical reasons.
Rick Murray 2 months ago
I think the most obscure useful thing I needed to know in my life, that I used more than once, was to know how to take the distributor cap off, disconnect it (remembering which lead goes where), and dry it and the rotor arm with a hairdryer. Electronic ignition systems meant this fragile part (it's *highly* susceptible to airborne dampness) is no longer necessary and engines start a lot more easily. Related, removing and cleaning spark plugs and air filters in garden equipment.
TCW Sam Vimes 2 months ago
Some of these are basic life skills even teenagers should be able to do. I fear with the new AI hype we'll soon have large parts of the population that 9nly manage life glued to the AI that explains them the world. I shudder at the possible consequences...
Yrral Spavit 2 months ago
Remember first year of college. The number of people who could barely look after themselves was surprising.
Ace 2 months ago
Yes, and? Did they, as teenagers, know how to do these things? No, apparently not. Should they though, as adults? Yes, of course they should.
Load More Replies...
Captain Kakapo 2 months ago
Test: How adult you are? If you start doing the test - you are not yet adult.
Mel in Georgia 2 months ago
There were a lot of questions of "do you know how to ..." but then asked, "should an adult know how to ..." Everyone should know how to do these things, but there were a few I know I don't do well, if at all!
Mari 2 months ago
I think these are all basic skills. The only thing I can't is replacing a tire.
Forrest Hobbs 2 months ago
Replacing a modern tubeless tyre is a job for a trained mechanic in a workshop (there's a very long list of reasons why). It's one reason cars carry spare wheels with tyres fitted. Changing old fashioned tubed tyres is easier - I've done it. Still, I'd much rather just swap a wheel.
Load More Replies... Joe Publique 2 months ago
Lots of confusion here. An adult will find all of these things useful. Some people are clearly answering 'can you do it' rather than 'should you be able to'. For instance, I find it hard to believe that anyone thinks an adult shouldn't be able to cook basic meals or understand basic household finances.
Auntriarch 2 months ago
Have another upvote, you made me laugh several times ☺️
Load More Replies... CD Mills 2 months ago
I learned how to do so many things living out on a ranch, my husband loved that my Tomboy side never turned off. I've done every job a person can do on a ranch except one, which is shoeing a horse. Everybody says I'm too small, (I am a tiny chick) that if a horse started to lean onto me I couldn't hold up the weight of a 16 hand high horse. They are probably right. lol I can wield, it stays but it's ugly, I can back a truck up to a trailer, I'm a solid carpenter but a weak plumber, but I leave electricity to the pros. I'm a c**p mechanic but still did some because my hand was small enough to get into the space, had no idea what I was doing. I do love not having to wait for someone to replace the window pane, I do it myself.
nottheactualphoto 2 months ago
All the questions were "should an adult know how to do this?", not "do you know how to do this?" But so many people answered the question that was not asked.
Geoffrey Scott 2 months ago
Trying to figure out why this was not a multiple choice test. Would have been more illuminating.
Michelle C 2 months ago
I can understand people who might have grown up in poverty, near-complete isolation, or having other factors, such as disability, contributing to limitations nonetheless. For example, i’ve known people that know how to change a tire, but cannot drive for medical reasons.
Rick Murray 2 months ago
I think the most obscure useful thing I needed to know in my life, that I used more than once, was to know how to take the distributor cap off, disconnect it (remembering which lead goes where), and dry it and the rotor arm with a hairdryer. Electronic ignition systems meant this fragile part (it's *highly* susceptible to airborne dampness) is no longer necessary and engines start a lot more easily. Related, removing and cleaning spark plugs and air filters in garden equipment.
TCW Sam Vimes 2 months ago
Some of these are basic life skills even teenagers should be able to do. I fear with the new AI hype we'll soon have large parts of the population that 9nly manage life glued to the AI that explains them the world. I shudder at the possible consequences...
Yrral Spavit 2 months ago
Remember first year of college. The number of people who could barely look after themselves was surprising.
Ace 2 months ago
Yes, and? Did they, as teenagers, know how to do these things? No, apparently not. Should they though, as adults? Yes, of course they should.
Load More Replies... Captain Kakapo 2 months ago
Test: How adult you are? If you start doing the test - you are not yet adult.
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