Things that all men should know.

[Dave Gray]

I was listening to Maxim radio (which is my new favorite station -- Sirius 108) and they were talking about all things that a man should know how to do.  Now, keep in mind, these are not MANLY things.   ...but they are things that a man should know how to do.  There is a difference.  For example, a man should learn how to order a bottle of wine.  Not manly, per se, but fumbling with the wine list like a dipshit on a date can cockblock you somethin' awful.  So, you should know the basics -- what a merlot, chardonet, pinot, etc is -- what to do when they ask you to sample -- etc. and so on.

I can't do all of these, but some of the ones I thought were pretty good:

- how to order a bottle of wine, like I said
- how to change a tire
- how to open a beer bottle without a bottle opener
- how to unhook a bra
- how to do your own laundry
- how to do basic and repair and installation, use commmon tools (hammer, tape measurer, wrench, etc.)
- how to open a bottle of wine
- how to drive a manual transmission
- how to cook on a grill

And I added this one:
Be on a basic conversation level (semi-current) on at least 1 of either basketball, football, or baseball.  ...I'm not saying that you have to be like any of us, or even follow the sport, but just check the news now and then to know what teams are good, and any big stories (like Kobe's 81 points or who's playing in the Super Bowl).

Guys, what do you think that you should know how to do?
...and more importantly,
Gals, what should your man be able to do, so that he doesn't look like a bumbling, inexperienced child?

[TonyB0D]

GREAT station....can't wait for the playbot channel too!!  i've heard lists of things like this before....its a good idea...i cant believe how many dudes are inept at some basic man life skills...

- how to order a bottle of wine, like I said
  >i'm italian....mastered that by the time i was 15

- how to change a tire
  >anyone who can't do this is just fucking stupid

- how to open a beer bottle without a bottle opener
  >you've just gotta be creative or have a lighter handy!

- how to unhook a bra
  >see #1

- how to do your own laundry
  >my mom used to make me do it when i was 5!

- how to do basic and repair and installation, use commmon tools (hammer, tape measurer, wrench, etc.)
  >done

- how to open a bottle of wine
  >see #1

- how to drive a manual transmission
  >NO ONE knows how to drive stick anymore...its rather sad

- how to cook on a grill
  >now that's just built-in instinct

[Brian Fein]

- how to order a bottle of wine, like I said
- how to change a tire
- how to open a beer bottle without a bottle opener
- how to unhook a bra
- how to do your own laundry
- how to do basic and repair and installation, use commmon tools (hammer, tape measurer, wrench, etc.)
- how to open a bottle of wine
- how to drive a manual transmission
- how to cook on a grill

And I added this one:
Be on a basic conversation level (semi-current) on at least 1 of either basketball, football, or baseball. ...I'm not saying that you have to be like any of us, or even follow the sport, but just check the news now and then to know what teams are good, and any big stories (like Kobe's 81 points or who's playing in the Super Bowl).

I've been listening to Maxim Radio 108 alot lately, for some reason.  I wish I could bring it in to work with me - they don't stream 108 over the web stream, dammit.

I can do all of those things except 2 - Drive a stick, and order wine. 

I don't drink wine so I don't know WTF I'm doing - luckily I never need to! 
I know HOW to drive a stick, but I suck at it and no one wants to offer up their car for me to practice!

I'm curious to see what the itty-bitty female population on here has to add to this list.

[Dave Gray]

Some of these things I can do in theory, but have never actually done.

...like changing a tire.  I KNOW what has to be done, and can follow the directions, but have never actually done it before.  I probably wouldn't be stranded, but it would be a lengthy process.  It's something that I should probably practice.

I've learned a lot on the wine front, but have gotten stuck in that situation and felt sort of like a chump.  I've learned more since then.  Even if you don't drink wine, it's something that you should learn.

All of the other things on the list, I can do well.

[Brian Fein]

there are no instructions or directions to changing a tire.  you should go out to your driveway and jack it up just so you know how.

and then, when you're done, try changing your tires, too.

[TonyB0D]

^^^^^^^

brian, you're completely wrong.  every car manual has detailed instructions in it!  that being said, i'm sure none of us have ever read them... and it only takes 10 minutes to change a tire

[Dave Gray]

^^^^^^^

brian, you're completely wrong. every car manual has detailed instructions in it! that being said, i'm sure none of us have ever read them... and it only takes 10 minutes to change a tire

Yeah...and the jack has instruction specific to the car, where it needs to be jacked, etc.

It might be a 10 min. job for you, Tony, but I think it might take a little longer for me.

[Brian Fein]

^^^^^^^

brian, you're completely wrong. every car manual has detailed instructions in it! that being said, i'm sure none of us have ever read them... and it only takes 10 minutes to change a tire

Heh - shows how much I read my user manual...  Point is, you shouldn't need instructions to change a tire.  I guess, though, if you're not a gearhead and never had a flat, you could feasibly not know how.

[GUATARICCAN]

Well I know and have done everything on that list except ordering wine. But I hate wine, so if the bitch wants wine she should know what to order. Chicks like Pinot Grigio and White Zin is as much as I know and it's gotten me this far.

[GUATARICCAN]

Also I've mastered the one handed bra removal technique. It's easy w/ practice.

[TonyB0D]

^^^^^

haha that's the only technique i've ever used....first time i EVER tried to take a bra off a girl, i attempted and aced the one-handed technique...neither one of us could believe it!  i mean its not hard...just like a flick ot the wrist!



and yes, being an engineer i have the tire changing down to pit crew times.  (it's also because i drive in hazardous NJ AND drive like an asshole, so i get a flat every few months...

[Philly Fin Fan]

- how to order a bottle of wine- Yup. I know my wines very well.

- how to change a tire- Yup. I also stop on the side of the road during downpours to help old ladies from time to time, and get sent a bill afterwards! Remind me to tell you that story sometime.

- how to open a beer bottle without a bottle opener- Yup. Easy to do.

- how to unhook a bra- Yup. Although now that I'm married, I don't have any need for this skill.

- how to do your own laundry- I do the laundry in our household.

- how to do basic repair and installation, use commmon tools (hammer, tape measurer, wrench, etc.)- Basic? I've gone way beyond that.

- how to open a bottle of wine- Yup.

- how to drive a manual transmission- Yup. My first brand new car was stick. I got it abotu 5 days after I learned how to drive stick. And then had to drive it home from Connecticut!

- how to cook on a grill- Yup. I am the grill master.

[Sunstroke]

Since I can't stand the taste of wine, I'd remove the two wine-related items and replace with:

* Know how to build a campfire. Shocked this isn't on the list already...creating fire is a pretty basic "man" skill.

* Know how to tie a cherry stem in a square knot with your tongue. If you can do this without breaking eye contact with a female, you really don't need any wine to get her into bed.

[Dave Gray]

Since I can't stand the taste of wine, I'd remove the two wine-related items and replace with:

How much you like wine is irrelevant.  I don't like changing tires, but it's something I should know how to do.  Women often like wine, and it's impressive when a man knows what he's doing in that respect.

If the girl wants wine, and you say "you'll have to open the bottle yourself, I don't know how", you are a big, pulsating vagina, whether you take a sip or not.

[Dave Gray]

I talked to a female friend of mine and she was able to add some insight:

- how to play pool (and not look like you're retarded)
- how to bargain/negotiate (like buying a car, or working with a loan officer)
- how to operate your basic electronics
- how to take a shot correctly (not sip it or choke on it)
- how to play sports just a little bit (so you have basic control of your body, and you aren't embarrasing)