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Things you should be able to do as an adult

140 replies

ThePolishWombat · 09/09/2019 19:42

but can’t Blush
I’m convinced that everyone has at least one skill that they’ve just never mastered that every other adult around you seems to be able to do!
I’ll start:

I cannot for the life of me work out chopsticks Blush
And do you know what makes that even more embarrassing? I’m married to an Asian man for Christ sake Blush He’s tried to teach me numerous times, but it would appear my stupid, European fingers and brain just can’t work together to eat the beautiful food he cooks with the traditional eating apparatus Confused My 4yo can do it and I can’t Blush

What’s yours?

OP posts:
AnneWeber · 09/09/2019 22:55

My phone calendar pops up a message at 8pm every Monday to say either bins or recycling.

BillywigSting · 09/09/2019 22:56

Mornings. I regularly have to be up at 5am for work and I still just can't. I can't do them. They make me nauseous.

I can't ride a bike or drive.

I never got the chance with a bike as a kid (though I have one now and am trying rather unsuccessfully to learn how to ride it)

Have no depth perception due to life long crap vision in one eye so struggle massively with things like breaking distance and spotting hazards in my periphery which has rather put the kibosh on driving.

I can't reach stuff either. Half the kids in ds's primary school are taller than me.

I can only just fry an egg. I'm a trained chef, I can make all sorts of complicated and elaborate dishes, but I hate frying eggs. It's the spitting oil. I loathe it. I make good poached eggs though (which are much nicer than fried anyway).

Barbarara · 09/09/2019 22:56

I can’t understand the weather forecast. I try and listen but my mind goes blank.

I love that there’s now apps, with pictures that even I can follow.

NoClueWithStyle · 09/09/2019 23:00

Give or receive directions.

Before sat navs, I could never process more than one or two steps but then I just nod at the person talking to me, like I've got it, but my brain would just hear...
"1st left, turn right after the pub, blah, blah blah...".
I then politely thank the person and make my merry way, before asking someone for the next steps.

I also cannot find my way out of an unfamiliar building easily. I have no sense of direction and can't trace my steps back. Dd 16, has been trying to teach me for years, but I just can't work out that when i came in, I turned one way so i need to do the reverse to get out. 🤷‍♀️

I blame my dyslexia. So many of my wasted lost in the middle of somewhere hours suddenly made sense when I got a diagnosis as an adult.

Floozymum · 09/09/2019 23:04

Load a dishwasher efficiently

I generally chuck everything in a hope it comes out clean/in one piece

Keepthebloodynoisedown · 09/09/2019 23:10

Drive- I have a medical condition which means I legally can’t, but I started learning at 17 and it was awful, I have no depth perception whatsoever.

I also have to do two little loops to tie my shoes and don’t know my timetables.

HorseradishSnowflake · 09/09/2019 23:17

Can't do any kind of dance step or move. My brain just won't absorb the instruction and send it to my arms/legs /hips. If I do get it right I'm so surprised I go wrong again. This applies to old fashioned dances, fitness classes, modern stuff, everything! It makes my kids laugh but it was mortifying when I was younger.

MyView2 · 09/09/2019 23:21

I can’t make an omelette without it turning into scrambled eggs and my poached eggs end up breaking up and in the bin. I have been shown many times but I still can’t master it. It’s a shame really as I love both!

I can manage to fry, boil and scramble eggs fine though Confused

milliefiori · 09/09/2019 23:21

Get keys out of my bag and open the front door without spending five minutes scrabbling in my bag for them. DH has it down to a fine art. From car to inside takes him about three seconds. It takes me about five minutes.

RiftGibbon · 09/09/2019 23:22

I can't...
Sew
Crochet
Change a tyre
Work out what is what on the car engine
Swim
Iron
Keep house plants alive
Fold clothes neatly
Draw a straight line
Estimate height/distance
Remember names/birthdays
Ski
Roller-skate
Put on make up properly (it either doesn't show up at all, or looks like a monkey applies it)
Paint the nails on my right hand
Do hairstyles

Bigpizzalover · 09/09/2019 23:25

Cook the right amount of pasta!

Why when you put the pasta in the pan does it not look enough so you add more... and more. Every time!

june2007 · 09/09/2019 23:27

Most dIY. I am quite clumsy with had coordination and don't do straight lines.

AhCheeses · 09/09/2019 23:27

Cook a reasonable amount of pasta or rice. If its a meal with either of those, the whole street could come over for dinner and there'd still be left overs.
The few times I didn't make too much was because I didn't make enough!

@barbarara get an app called What The Forecast... It's much better at weather forecasts that anyone else, ever. Easy to understand, simple forecasts 🤭

AhCheeses · 09/09/2019 23:28

Haha @Bigpizzalover let's hope we never have to make a meal together hey!?

DefinatelyAWeeGobshite · 09/09/2019 23:35

Also can’t fasten a bra at the back!

Awful with distances, I can kind of work out feet in that if someone says it’s 30 feet away I think, we’ll that’s rough 6 times the size of me Blush but metres, miles, yards etc. Nope, I just can’t get my head around out it at all.

leaserspottedmummybird · 09/09/2019 23:35

I have 3 dc. I still cannot fold down my littlest pushchair 😳

leaserspottedmummybird · 09/09/2019 23:38

I'm a bit crap at-
Ironing
Folding clothes
Applying non fitted sheets to beds
Measuring out the correct amount of pasta
Describing things( I always get flustered)
Giving and following directions
Crafty things.
Drying my hair( too impatient )

leaserspottedmummybird · 09/09/2019 23:40

Click my fingers
Drive with confidence
Mathematics
Going to bed early
Eating cucumber 🤢

leaserspottedmummybird · 09/09/2019 23:41

Playing the lottery
Chess

leaserspottedmummybird · 09/09/2019 23:42

Swimming
Sewing
Growing plants
Come up with ideas for meals without a cookbook

darkriver19886 · 09/09/2019 23:44

I am 32 and I struggle to fasten my shoe laces.

It's so frustrating.

Sparklingbrook · 09/09/2019 23:45

Buy a scratchcard. There are so many different ones. What do they all do? Confused

Blondie1984 · 09/09/2019 23:47

Get a duvet back in its cover without a palaver

Wavescrashingonthebeach · 09/09/2019 23:53

Some of these have tickled me Grin

OP i am WB & i can use chopsticks better than a knife or fork! I always end up swapping the cutlery to the other hand or i just use my fork like a shovel Grin.

I cant:
Iron
Use cling film it gives me RAGE
Do basic maths without a calculator
Do my hair beyond about 2-3 hairstyles

However, i can guesstimate numerical amounts (distances, weights, what the checkout total will be, temperature) with a surprising degree of accuracy Smile

I was also really pleased when i learnt how to do my screenwash i dont know why it makes me feel really empowered popping the bonnet open and faffing around with the car.

I also feel like a Proper Adult whenever i go to the tip.

SunshineAngel · 09/09/2019 23:54

@EskewedBeef I'm rubbish on the phone full stop, and will avoid talking on it at all costs!


As an adult.. I cannot stop worrying about things that will most likely NEVER happen!