Thanks to the aptly-named Busy Mom (she’s everywhere!) for pointing to this link to Popular Mechanics’ list of “25 Skills Every Man Should Know.” Some are traditional, some are more 21st-century high tech. Here’s a sampling:
1. Patch a radiator hose
2. Protect your computer
5. Retouch digital photos
6. Back up a trailer
7. Build a campfire
10. Use a torque wrench
14. Maneuver a car out of a skid
15. Get a car unstuck
16. Back up data
20. Change oil and filter
21. Hook up an HDTV
23. Paddle a canoe
24. Fix a bike flat
I daresay that many of these skills would also be worthwhile for women to master. Busy Mom’s “response” list of similarly essential skills for women also includes some gender-neutral items, but others are pretty much “women-only”:
1. Take off a bra through a shirt sleeve (well, a guy might want to know how to do this too, just hopefully not to himself!)
2. Select the right color foundation
5. Describe the difference between the colors “off white”, “bone”, and “cream” (oh, and “ivory”)
6. Call someone to change a tire
10. Tell the difference between real Coach purses, and, knock-offs (other than the price tag…)
11. Prepare an elegant appetizer from random pantry supplies for unannounced company
12. Drive someplace unfamiliar at night in the rain (I’d really prefer to have a guy do that)
15. Discuss the differences between capris and cropped pants
20. Make him think it’s his idea (he’ll think so anyway…)
21. Actually download pictures from the digital camera (actually, my husband does that)
22. Create 3 or more plausible reasons to “stop by Target” (not including “meeting a lunch date“)
23. Make store bought bake sale goodies look home made (“I Don’t Know How She Does It”!)
25. Surprise a child by going to Sonic for a “treat” without him knowing it’s because you need a Diet Coke
