Let's be positive too - what simple thing are you totally excellent at?

[clary]

I love the thread about stuff you cannot do (I can't draw, or spell broccoli) but wanted to flip it; so what random talent do you have that sets you apart?

I am excellent at untying knots - tightly pulled wet trainer laces? Not an issue. Tangled necklace chain? LEAD ME TO IT it's so satisfying.

I am also oddly skilled at doing random maths (percentages and fractions) and understanding the rules of English punctuation (when to use a semi-colon). That last one is my job tho tbf so it's just as well.

What about you?

Parallel parking! An old man once complimented me on my skills 💁🏼‍♀️

also finding the end of sellotape.

Talking to children. Not so good at talking to grown ups! And I'm not good at being in authority, so it doesn't make it easier for me to parent and I would not be good at it for a job.

Can I add one?

Mental arithmetic. I can get my supermarket basket total within a few pence as I'm walking around. Thank you, My Smythe. Despite being a child hating bully you knew how to teach MA. Shame about fractions, though 😆

In a work context, I’m really good at writing operating procedures and instructions in very clear concise steps.

Outside of work I am good at getting the hang of a new board game almost straight away. Whenever there is a new game the instructions are always handed straight to me and everyone just waits for me to explain. I’m also really good at Cluedo!

Parking
Roast potatoes
Pulling pints

I envy you being able to talk to children! I run out of small talk after topics like "How old are you?" "Do you have any brothers or sisters?" "What is your favourite subject at school?"

@MrsDanversGlidesAgain

I call this the shopping total game. Person who gets the total closest chooses the post supermarket treat. Of course I am at a massive advantage as I usually know within a few pence. My kids somehow have not caught on yet that it's because I've added it up in my head.

Halloween pumpkin carvings. People go out of their way to see our house on Halloween.

I find children infinitely fascinating @Florissant I'm totally there for their abstractions and silliness. I think it's because I'm basically a 6 year old stuck in a grown ups body.

Talking to strangers. I can chat to literally anyone.

I used to be great at baking but haven't in quite a long time.

I am really good at eye balling weights and volume fit cooking/baking. I made a recipe from memory last night for fruit loaf and the results today are exactly the same as the last time I made it in lock down.

No matter when I am in the world, I can always orientate myself and know which way my house front door faces etc. but my general sense of direction, trying to place places/towns/countries on a map is terrible.

I can tie a cherry stem into a knot in my mouth using my tongue. Takes about 15 seconds .

Setting up and using household tech.

Back in the 80s, when programming the video to record that night's EastEnders often involved in an hour-long struggle followed by the disappointing discovery next day that you'd captured the last five minutes of 'Gardener's World' followed by a cricket match, I was the person who could set your video to reliably record everything you wanted during your two week holiday in Majorca.

I love these! Glad to see so many unknotters out there. A friend threatens to bring me her impossibly tangled necklaces YES PLEASE!

@StephanieandKate I am not very good with jars actually and often need some support from those present. @bussteward I love that Tupperware one - that is a skill. I always pick something far too small and have to start over and wash up the first one.

All you semi-coloners don't work in my office then, where many people seem to think it is just what you use when you need a comma but want to be posh. @AreBearsCatholic what do you do? <nosy>

Cook rice.

Can perfectly measure quantities to fit in Tupperware

Can weigh people up in about three seconds

Ridiculously quick at doing stuff on computer

I'm an untangler too. I make amazing Yorkshire puddings and I can make most babies fall asleep.

Finishing people’s sentences for them. I always know what they are trying to say (or at least I think I do 🙂)

recognising songs from the first few notes or bars

mopping floors

Making a cosy space. I love nothing more than making every inch of my home a place to feel relaxed and warm.

I’ve had so many compliments on my styles and uses of colour so I think I’m quite good at that 🙂

I am good at and enjoy mending rips and holes in clothes.

@dnac yes to the music knowledge too! First bars of songs I can get the title and artists. I’m a fucking WIZZ at any music quiz 🤣

Reverse parallel parking… I can get into a small space. I had a friend who used to live in Windsor and I had to park on the road when seeing her. I had lots of practise!

Guessing the punchline to jokes. Its incredibly satisfying to do, but it doesn't win me any friends

Writing

Pitching ideas

Organising weekends away and events

Running teams and mentoring people

Bugger all practical skills, I’d have been screwed in the Stone Age, although I am quite good in a crisis

@PauliString what your husband needs is to buy a bunch of socks in just 2 or 3 colours. Then he can just hurl them in the draw unpaired. Sock freedom! Genuinely made my life better.

Also soup
Budgeting
Apple crumble
Chairing meetings. Always run to time, no one is allowed to waffle on about irrelevance, no matter how much they like the sound of their own voice. Information shared. Decisions made. Minutes taken. Actions allocated.

Oh and also, I can tell a person's ring size (finger size, not the other thing!) by looking at their hands.