Alright, let’s talk about some things a fella oughta know, you know, the stuff that makes a man a man. No fancy book learnin’ here, just plain common sense.
First off, learnin’ how to tie a tie. Yeah, I know, some young whippersnappers think it ain’t important no more, what with their t-shirts and such. But a good tie, tied right, can make you look spiffy for church or a weddin’ or even courtin’ a gal. My old man, he could tie a tie in the dark, said it was like tying a good knot on a fishin’ line. You just gotta practice, that’s all.
Next up, readin’ and thinkin’. Now, I ain’t talkin’ about no fancy novels or newspapers. I mean readin’ instructions, readin’ signs, readin’ the weather. And thinkin’ before you open your yap. My grandma used to say, “God gave you two ears and one mouth for a reason.” Listen more, talk less, and think before you do both. That Fran Lebowitz lady, whoever she is, she got it right, think before you speak, read before you think. Makes sense, even if she sounds like one of them city folk.
- Lookin’ presentable. That means knowin’ how to buy a suit that fits. Not some baggy thing that looks like you borrowed it from your grandpa, and not some skinny thing that makes you look like a sausage. You gotta go to a store, try it on, see how it feels. And don’t forget about shavin’ and keepin’ your hair neat. Nobody wants to look at a fella who looks like he just crawled outta the woods… unless you just crawled outta the woods, I guess.
- Fixin’ stuff around the house. Learn a little bit about carpentry, you know, hammerin’ nails, sawin’ wood. It ain’t rocket science. My grandpa built his own house with his bare hands, and it stood for a hundred years. These days, folks can’t even hang a picture straight. Learn how to fix a leaky faucet, patch a hole in the wall. Saves you money and makes you feel like you accomplished somethin’.
Then there’s huntin’ and fishin’. Now, I know not everyone’s into that, but it’s good to know how to get your own food if you need to. And it teaches you patience, teaches you respect for nature. My brothers, they could track a deer through thick brush, knew how to clean it and butcher it. It ain’t pretty, but it’s real. You learn a lot about life and death out in the woods. And fishin’, well, that’s just plain peaceful. Sittin’ by the water, waitin’ for a bite. Good for the soul, they say.
And don’t forget about car stuff. You don’t gotta be a mechanic, but you oughta know how to change a tire, check the oil, jump-start a battery. Nothin’ worse than bein’ stuck on the side of the road with a flat and no clue what to do. My nephew, he thought he was too good for that kind of stuff, always relyin’ on other people. Well, he learned his lesson when he got stranded out in the boonies with a dead battery and no cell service. Had to walk five miles to get help. Serves him right, I say.
Electronics too, I guess. These young folks, they’re glued to their phones and computers, but they don’t know nothin’ about how they work. You oughta know how to hook up a TV, fix a Wi-Fi connection, maybe even build your own computer, if you’re fancy like that. It’s the way of the world now, and you don’t wanna be left behind.
And last but not least, learn how to clean up after yourself. Do your own laundry, wash your own dishes, keep your place tidy. Nobody wants to live with a slob. My ma always said, “A clean house is a sign of a clean mind.” And she was right, as usual. Learn some fine dining too, know how to behave at a nice restaurant. It ain’t just about forks and spoons, it’s about respect, for yourself and for others.
So there you have it. Some things a man oughta know. It ain’t about bein’ tough or macho, it’s about bein’ capable, bein’ responsible, bein’ a decent human being. That’s what makes a man, in my book anyway.
Tags：manskills, self-reliance, practical skills, life skills, home repair, car maintenance, grooming, hunting, fishing, carpentry, electronics, cleaning, dining etiquette
