Things that you are supposed to know about but don't.

[DoItForTheDucks]

Does anyone else feel completely lost when their hairdresser asks them what they want done with their hair? I've no idea beyond Please cut it, preferably with scissors and not garden shears and stop cutting before the point where I start to resemble a rather more elephantine Bruce Willis. They throw all these hairdressing jargon at me and I've no idea what any of it means. I look them up occasionally then immediately forget.

Likewise interior design. I have no idea what looks good with what and which colours complement each other. It is a complete mystery to me. I know that colour wheels exist but I'm none the wiser for them. I'd love to have an innate sense of style but it's never going to happen.

Finally. Jeans. There are so many types of them. Boyfriend, girlfriend, Mom, Step Brother, Ex MIL, Postman's wife etc. How do you know the difference?

What everyday things baffle you?

Scautish .......you need to get out more

@Scautish

I fucking love excel. I am so happy when I have a situation where excel can help. I use it in many life and work situations.

I do realise that this is not a view shared by all.

Same here! Dh looks panicked whenever I say "we could do a spreadsheet..." I also like PowerPoint. However, try as I might I cannot make the line spacing stay how I want it in Word!

Letmeusethisname No idea how the petrol pump knows that the tank is full. So I’m glad someone else said.

I’m with you on the hose thing thorough.

Excel is fine for me, too.

I'm a bit pathetic with TV remote controls. tbf, most DC were rubbish too a few yrs ago. But now they know 'how' to watch TV & I still struggle.

don't really care because it's rare I want to watch TV. I probably watch 10 minutes/day on avg, whatever DH/DC put on until I'm reminded how dull it all is again.

Not a clue about pensions, bitcoin or investment in general.

Can't put air or oil etc in my car, wouldn't know where to start changing a tyre

But I can use Excel, Powerpoint AND Access

I can also plaster walls, hang wallpaper, upholster chairs and make curtains

Literally just now just learnt that the arrow on the petrol gauge on the car is to indicate what side of the car the fuel cap is

@Scautish

I fucking love excel. I am so happy when I have a situation where excel can help. I use it in many life and work situations.

I do realise that this is not a view shared by all.

Are you my husband?

@MyLifeIsFictional

Are you my husband?

Maybe - did he write some VBA in excel to time his contractions when he went into labour with his first child?

:-)

[quote Scautish]@MyLifeIsFictional

Are you my husband?

Maybe - did he write some VBA in excel to time his contractions when he went into labour with his first child?

:-)[/quote]
@Scautish That is Excel love to the extreme!

@GinWithASplashOfTonic

Literally just now just learnt that the arrow on the petrol gauge on the car is to indicate what side of the car the fuel cap is

Its not for every car though 🤷‍♀️

I’ve just found that I know absolutely zilch about curtains. I measured the window and thought I’d figure it out from there but now I’m looking at curtains on line and have no clue if the measurement they give are per curtain or for the pair or to fit that size window. If I sold curtains I’d sell them to fit a window X cm x x cm

I recently had to take my car to a garage to have some work done on it. I'd have usually got a taxi to take me from the garage into work but decided to get a bus instead. I haven't got a bus in years and felt quite stressed. Do you just stand there and wait for the bus to stop or do you put your arm out (like you used to)? If you don't put you arm out will it just go straight past? If you put your arm out, and don't need to, will people laugh? I got the bus but got a taxi back to pick it up!

I don't know how I got to this age without knowing this .... When you buy tin foil there are tabs at each end of the box. Push them inwards (into the hole in the centre of the roll) and they hold the roll in place and stop it moving around so that you can cut it easily on the serrated edge. It really works! You are welcome!!!!!

@AtleastitsnotMonday

I’ve just found that I know absolutely zilch about curtains. I measured the window and thought I’d figure it out from there but now I’m looking at curtains on line and have no clue if the measurement they give are per curtain or for the pair or to fit that size window. If I sold curtains I’d sell them to fit a window X cm x x cm

Oh don't even get me started on the ordeal that is buying curtains. I asked my mum who told me some formula today with half the width again and the drop ans I still didn't know what she was talking about. I asked the poor lady in Dunelm so many stupid questions I think she may have been signed off with stress following my purchase. They still don't look quite right so I have just ordered more hooks and sliders from Amazon.

SnugglySnerd I’ve just had the same conversation with my mum and got the same ridiculously complicated formula. I have solved this problem by inviting my mum to come curtain shopping with me!

@GinWithASplashOfTonic you're welcome - I learned it off MSE site I was fed up with my car being held hostage at mot time by less scrupulous garages. Because although I'm pretty good on car stuff they'd just refuse to pass it on mot until they'd done the unnecessary repairs!

I've reported more than a few to trading standards for such practices but it's a pita and I needed my car back!

Regulation of mechanics/garages needs to be much more stringent in my opinion!

I had a fantastic chap in one place I lived, always kept me right and kept my car safe WITHOUT ripping me off...unfortunately I moved away then I heard from someone I'd recommended him to he retired about a year later anyway.

Also STILL find I get better service and less likely to be ripped off if I take a man with me! Which is outrageous in this day and age.

@londonscalling

I recently had to take my car to a garage to have some work done on it. I'd have usually got a taxi to take me from the garage into work but decided to get a bus instead. I haven't got a bus in years and felt quite stressed. Do you just stand there and wait for the bus to stop or do you put your arm out (like you used to)? If you don't put you arm out will it just go straight past? If you put your arm out, and don't need to, will people laugh? I got the bus but got a taxi back to pick it up!

Oh yes also an infrequent bus traveller and am unsure of etiquette.

How long to leave it before you ring for your stop. Rural area so bus stops aren't as strictly imposed as cities.
I always have the wrong change/ never know how much the fare is. Think £6.75 for a 30 min journey and so with £10 and there's a scurry for change which given to me with a dirty look.

@Graphista I really do need a notebook to jot down mn info like this down.

It's always the case that you finally find a decent person for whatever job and then quickly something changes like a retirement so you can't use them

Oh yes took my dad once to the garage to pay and the level of service and the level of communication increased dramatically

@AtleastitsnotMonday

SnugglySnerd I’ve just had the same conversation with my mum and got the same ridiculously complicated formula. I have solved this problem by inviting my mum to come curtain shopping with me!

I have solved the problem now, they are the right size but we needed far more hooks. I added 20 extra today and they look quite good now!

Plaiting hair: I can do a basic one, but it never comes out very neat. (I usually had short hair as a child.)

Flip flops - I just can't understand why they're so popular. Every time I try wearing them, my feet ache after a few steps, trying to keep them on; and I like to be able to run easily. Also trainer liners, or short trainer socks - I just can't get them to work for me at all. They scrunch up, they lose their elastic, they end up uncomfortably half in and out of my trainers. So my summer footwear is what I favoured as a teenager - trainers without socks, even though people tell me of the evils of doing this.