Country lifes 39 skils young people should learn

Blackpool Rule wrote:1. Cook three different dinner party menus

2. Say 'Can you help me please' in Arabic, Cantonese, Urdu, Spanish and Russian

3. Play a musical instrument, even if it's just the tom-toms or a mouth organ

4. Ride a horse to jackaroo standard

5. Be a 'tech whisperer', able to fix and set up the latest technogadgets

6. Talk about five classics of English literature with authority and passion

7. Perform resuscitation on someone who has stopped breathing

8. Know how to grow carrots from seed, distinguish five native trees, identify 20 flowers and arrange a bunch

9. Handle a shotgun, skin a rabbit, gut a fish and pluck a pigeon

10. Repair a bicycle puncture and fix the chain

11. Dance the eightsome reel, waltz to Strauss and bop to Lady Gaga

12. Taste the difference between Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay and know how to mix a mojito or margarita

13. Write a memorable thank you letter

14. Recognise music by Mozart, Elgar and Handel.

15. Put up a shelf and change a plug

16. Tie a bow tie, bowline and Bloody Butcher

17. Sail a boat across the Solent

18. Carve a joint of meat

19. Tell the difference between Gothic, Baroque and Palladian architecture

20. Make a speech, entertain an audience with a joke or an anecdote, and sing at least two songs by heart

21. Drive a tractor, reverse a trailer, renew engine oil and change a wheel

22. Find their way round five capital cities

23. Host a party and put others at their ease

24. Sustain a 10-shot rally at tennis

25. Build a bonfire and lay a fire

26. Perform three good card tricks

27. Identify five constellations and find the North Star

28. Score a cricket match

29. Talk knowledgeably about five British landmarks

30. Uncork and pour a bottle of Champagne

31. Iron a shirt, sew on a button and sew up a hem

32. Amuse small children for at least an hour with magic tricks and storytelling

33. Read a map, pitch a tent and pack a rucksack

34. Be authoritatively acquainted with at least one work by da Vinci, Constable, Degas, Turner and Canaletto

35. Manage a bank account

36. Slip away from a football riot

37. Address a member of the Royal Family

38. Complain effectively but politely in a restaurant

39. Deliver a lamb.

Blackpool Rule wrote:1. Cook three different dinner party menus

2. Say 'Can you help me please' in Arabic, Cantonese, Urdu, Spanish and Russian

3. Play a musical instrument, even if it's just the tom-toms or a mouth organ

4. Ride a horse to jackaroo standard

5. Be a 'tech whisperer', able to fix and set up the latest technogadgets

6. Talk about five classics of English literature with authority and passion

7. Perform resuscitation on someone who has stopped breathing

8. Know how to grow carrots from seed, distinguish five native trees, identify 20 flowers and arrange a bunch

9. Handle a shotgun, skin a rabbit, gut a fish and pluck a pigeon

10. Repair a bicycle puncture and fix the chain

11. Dance the eightsome reel, waltz to Strauss and bop to Lady Gaga

12. Taste the difference between Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay and know how to mix a mojito or margarita

13. Write a memorable thank you letter

14. Recognise music by Mozart, Elgar and Handel.

15. Put up a shelf and change a plug

16. Tie a bow tie, bowline and Bloody Butcher

17. Sail a boat across the Solent

18. Carve a joint of meat

19. Tell the difference between Gothic, Baroque and Palladian architecture

20. Make a speech, entertain an audience with a joke or an anecdote, and sing at least two songs by heart

21. Drive a tractor, reverse a trailer, renew engine oil and change a wheel

22. Find their way round five capital cities

23. Host a party and put others at their ease

24. Sustain a 10-shot rally at tennis

25. Build a bonfire and lay a fire

26. Perform three good card tricks

27. Identify five constellations and find the North Star

28. Score a cricket match

29. Talk knowledgeably about five British landmarks

30. Uncork and pour a bottle of Champagne

31. Iron a shirt, sew on a button and sew up a hem

32. Amuse small children for at least an hour with magic tricks and storytelling

33. Read a map, pitch a tent and pack a rucksack

34. Be authoritatively acquainted with at least one work by da Vinci, Constable, Degas, Turner and Canaletto

35. Manage a bank account

36. Slip away from a football riot

37. Address a member of the Royal Family

38. Complain effectively but politely in a restaurant

39. Deliver a lamb.

Blackpool Rule wrote:1. Cook three different dinner party menus - Nope

2. Say 'Can you help me please' in Arabic, Cantonese, Urdu, Spanish and Russian - Nope

3. Play a musical instrument, even if it's just the tom-toms or a mouth organ - Nope

4. Ride a horse to jackaroo standard - Nope

5. Be a 'tech whisperer', able to fix and set up the latest technogadgets - Nope

6. Talk about five classics of English literature with authority and passion -....... maybe?

7. Perform resuscitation on someone who has stopped breathing - Nope

8. Know how to grow carrots from seed, distinguish five native trees, identify 20 flowers and arrange a bunch - Nope

9. Handle a shotgun, skin a rabbit, gut a fish and pluck a pigeon - Nope

10. Repair a bicycle puncture and fix the chain - Yup

11. Dance the eightsome reel, waltz to Strauss and bop to Lady Gaga - Huh? (Nope)

12. Taste the difference between Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay and know how to mix a mojito or margarita - Nope

13. Write a memorable thank you letter - ....Well I haven't yet

14. Recognise music by Mozart, Elgar and Handel. - MAYBE by Mozart.........

15. Put up a shelf and change a plug - Probably not.

16. Tie a bow tie, bowline and Bloody Butcher - Nope

17. Sail a boat across the Solent - Obviously not.....

18. Carve a joint of meat - Why not? Easy......

19. Tell the difference between Gothic, Baroque and Palladian architecture - Wtf.........

20. Make a speech, entertain an audience with a joke or an anecdote, and sing at least two songs by heart - If I planned it.......sure

21. Drive a tractor, reverse a trailer, renew engine oil and change a wheel - Nope.

22. Find their way round five capital cities - I've not even been to 5 capital cities . London (dur), Cardiff, Amsterdam.....that's it . I think it'd be a challenge for me to find my way around London and I've lived near it all my life

23. Host a party and put others at their ease - Nope.

24. Sustain a 10-shot rally at tennis - Easy, I'm a tennis pro.

25. Build a bonfire and lay a fire - Do it every year.

26. Perform three good card tricks - I can do some card tricks....they're not good though

27. Identify five constellations and find the North Star - Never cared for it tbh.

28. Score a cricket match - I could as I know the rules.....

29. Talk knowledgeably about five British landmarks - Easy.

30. Uncork and pour a bottle of Champagne - Easy.

31. Iron a shirt, sew on a button and sew up a hem - Dunno about hem.....but probably could pull it off.

32. Amuse small children for at least an hour with magic tricks and storytelling - I'm very good with kids.

33. Read a map, pitch a tent and pack a rucksack - I was with the Scouts.... it comes 2nd nature.

34. Be authoritatively acquainted with at least one work by da Vinci, Constable, Degas, Turner and Canaletto - Only know Da Vinci and Constable.....and fairly vaguely.......

35. Manage a bank account - Easy.

36. Slip away from a football riot - Done many times.

37. Address a member of the Royal Family - No opportunity.

38. Complain effectively but politely in a restaurant - I'm too nice.

39. Deliver a lamb. - Fuck that

Blackpool Rule wrote:1. Cook three different dinner party menus

2. Say 'Can you help me please' in Arabic, Cantonese, Urdu, Spanish and Russian

3. Play a musical instrument, even if it's just the tom-toms or a mouth organ

4. Ride a horse to jackaroo standard

5. Be a 'tech whisperer', able to fix and set up the latest technogadgets

6. Talk about five classics of English literature with authority and passion

7. Perform resuscitation on someone who has stopped breathing

8. Know how to grow carrots from seed, distinguish five native trees, identify 20 flowers and arrange a bunch

9. Handle a shotgun, skin a rabbit, gut a fish and pluck a pigeon

10. Repair a bicycle puncture and fix the chain

11. Dance the eightsome reel, waltz to Strauss and bop to Lady Gaga

12. Taste the difference between Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay and know how to mix a mojito or margarita

13. Write a memorable thank you letter

14. Recognise music by Mozart, Elgar and Handel.

15. Put up a shelf and change a plug

16. Tie a bow tie, bowline and Bloody Butcher

17. Sail a boat across the Solent

18. Carve a joint of meat

19. Tell the difference between Gothic, Baroque and Palladian architecture

20. Make a speech, entertain an audience with a joke or an anecdote, and sing at least two songs by heart

21. Drive a tractor, reverse a trailer, renew engine oil and change a wheel

22. Find their way round five capital cities

23. Host a party and put others at their ease

24. Sustain a 10-shot rally at tennis

25. Build a bonfire and lay a fire

26. Perform three good card tricks

27. Identify five constellations and find the North Star

28. Score a cricket match

29. Talk knowledgeably about five British landmarks

30. Uncork and pour a bottle of Champagne

31. Iron a shirt, sew on a button and sew up a hem

32. Amuse small children for at least an hour with magic tricks and storytelling

33. Read a map, pitch a tent and pack a rucksack

34. Be authoritatively acquainted with at least one work by da Vinci, Constable, Degas, Turner and Canaletto

35. Manage a bank account

36. Slip away from a football riot

37. Address a member of the Royal Family

38. Complain effectively but politely in a restaurant

39. Deliver a lamb.

ahlycotc wrote:

Blackpool Rule wrote:1. Cook three different dinner party menus

2. Say 'Can you help me please' in Arabic, Cantonese, Urdu, Spanish and Russian

3. Play a musical instrument, even if it's just the tom-toms or a mouth organ

4. Ride a horse to jackaroo standard

5. Be a 'tech whisperer', able to fix and set up the latest technogadgets

6. Talk about five classics of English literature with authority and passion

7. Perform resuscitation on someone who has stopped breathing

8. Know how to grow carrots from seed, distinguish five native trees, identify 20 flowers and arrange a bunch

9. Handle a shotgun, skin a rabbit, gut a fish and pluck a pigeon

10. Repair a bicycle puncture and fix the chain

11. Dance the eightsome reel, waltz to Strauss and bop to Lady Gaga

12. Taste the difference between Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay and know how to mix a mojito or margarita

13. Write a memorable thank you letter

14. Recognise music by Mozart, Elgar and Handel.

15. Put up a shelf and change a plug

16. Tie a bow tie, bowline and Bloody Butcher

17. Sail a boat across the Solent

18. Carve a joint of meat

19. Tell the difference between Gothic, Baroque and Palladian architecture

20. Make a speech, entertain an audience with a joke or an anecdote, and sing at least two songs by heart

21. Drive a tractor, reverse a trailer, renew engine oil and change a wheel

22. Find their way round five capital cities

23. Host a party and put others at their ease

24. Sustain a 10-shot rally at tennis

25. Build a bonfire and lay a fire

26. Perform three good card tricks

27. Identify five constellations and find the North Star

28. Score a cricket match

29. Talk knowledgeably about five British landmarks

30. Uncork and pour a bottle of Champagne

31. Iron a shirt, sew on a button and sew up a hem

32. Amuse small children for at least an hour with magic tricks and storytelling

33. Read a map, pitch a tent and pack a rucksack

34. Be authoritatively acquainted with at least one work by da Vinci, Constable, Degas, Turner and Canaletto

35. Manage a bank account

36. Slip away from a football riot

37. Address a member of the Royal Family

38. Complain effectively but politely in a restaurant

39. Deliver a lamb.

Roloman4 wrote:How do you say can you help me in Arabic?

Either Vocaroo or write it in Romanized Arabic.

ahlycotc wrote:

Roloman4 wrote:How do you say can you help me in Arabic?

Either Vocaroo or write it in Romanized Arabic.

Modern Standard Arabic: Hal yomkenanak an tosa3edany min fadlak?

Egyptian Dialect: Momken tesa3edney min fadlak?

Roloman4 wrote:

ahlycotc wrote:

Roloman4 wrote:How do you say can you help me in Arabic?

Either Vocaroo or write it in Romanized Arabic.

Modern Standard Arabic: Hal yomkenanak an tosa3edany min fadlak?

Egyptian Dialect: Momken tesa3edney min fadlak?

As I understand it, MSA isn't used as standard speech by anyone, mostly used in writing and such, am I correct?

Also, could you briefly explain what sound or character does the 3 stand for, and how they chose a number to represent a letter not found in the roman alphabet?

Roloman4 wrote:Hmm... so kind of like "ain" or "ein"?

Dan wrote:Err. No.


Does this person think we're in the 1930's. If you talk about five classics of English literature with authority and passion in most places in this country you'll be lucky if you get stabbed..

Blackpool Rule wrote:1. Cook three different dinner party menus - I could do this, I have never tried, but I often cook.

2. Say 'Can you help me please' in Arabic, Cantonese, Urdu, Spanish and Russian

3. Play a musical instrument, even if it's just the tom-toms or a mouth organ

4. Ride a horse to jackaroo standard

5. Be a 'tech whisperer', able to fix and set up the latest technogadgets

6. Talk about five classics of English literature with authority and passion

7. Perform resuscitation on someone who has stopped breathing - I've never had to do this, but I know how to do it.

8. Know how to grow carrots from seed, distinguish five native trees, identify 20 flowers and arrange a bunch

9. Handle a shotgun, skin a rabbit, gut a fish and pluck a pigeon

10. Repair a bicycle puncture and fix the chain

11. Dance the eightsome reel, waltz to Strauss and bop to Lady Gaga

12. Taste the difference between Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay and know how to mix a mojito or margarita

13. Write a memorable thank you letter

14. Recognise music by Mozart, Elgar and Handel.

15. Put up a shelf and change a plug

16. Tie a bow tie, bowline and Bloody Butcher

17. Sail a boat across the Solent

18. Carve a joint of meat

19. Tell the difference between Gothic, Baroque and Palladian architecture

20. Make a speech, entertain an audience with a joke or an anecdote, and sing at least two songs by heart

21. Drive a tractor, reverse a trailer, renew engine oil and change a wheel

22. Find their way round five capital cities

23. Host a party and put others at their ease

24. Sustain a 10-shot rally at tennis

25. Build a bonfire and lay a fire

26. Perform three good card tricks

27. Identify five constellations and find the North Star

28. Score a cricket match

29. Talk knowledgeably about five British landmarks

30. Uncork and pour a bottle of Champagne

31. Iron a shirt, sew on a button and sew up a hem

32. Amuse small children for at least an hour with magic tricks and storytelling

33. Read a map, pitch a tent and pack a rucksack

34. Be authoritatively acquainted with at least one work by da Vinci, Constable, Degas, Turner and Canaletto

35. Manage a bank account

36. Slip away from a football riot - Walk

37. Address a member of the Royal Family

38. Complain effectively but politely in a restaurant

39. Deliver a lamb.

Blackpool Rule wrote:1. Cook three different dinner party menus

2.Say 'Can you help me please' in Arabic, Cantonese, Urdu, Spanish and Russian -Replace bolded with French and English.

3. Play a musical instrument, even if it's just the tom-toms or a mouth organ

4. Ride a horse to jackaroo standard

5. Be a 'tech whisperer', able to fix and set up the latest technogadgets

6. Talk about five classics of English literature with authority and passion

7. Perform resuscitation on someone who has stopped breathing

8. Know how to grow carrots from seed, distinguish five native trees, identify 20 flowers and arrange a bunch

9. Handle a shotgun, skin a rabbit, gut a fish and pluck a pigeon

10. Repair a bicycle puncture and fix the chain

11. Dance the eightsome reel, waltz to Strauss and bop to Lady Gaga -WTF? i can dance, but seriously, come on.

12. Taste the difference between Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay and know how to mix a mojito or margarita

13. Write a memorable thank you letter

14. Recognise music by Mozart, Elgar and Handel.

15. Put up a shelf and change a plug

16. Tie a bow tie, bowline and Bloody Butcher

17. Sail a boat across the Solent

18. Carve a joint of meat

19. Tell the difference between Gothic, Baroque and Palladian architecture

20. Make a speech, entertain an audience with a joke or an anecdote, and sing at least two songs by heart

21. Drive a tractor(not everyone's a farmer these days), reverse a trailer, renew engine oil and change a wheel

22. Find their way round five capital cities- Only been to three, who has the time and money these days to get acquainted with 5 of the biggest cities in 5 countries? Unless you lived in one I wouldn't expect you to know any by heart.

23. Host a party and put others at their ease -Be able to use good grammar.

24. Sustain a 10-shot rally at tennis

25. Build a bonfire and lay a fire

26. Perform three good card tricks

27. Identify five constellations and find the North Star

28. Score a cricket match People get paid to do that, more like play a forward defensive and straight drive

29. Talk knowledgeably about five British landmarks

30. Uncork and pour a bottle of Champagne

31. Iron a shirt, sew on a button and sew up a hem

32. Amuse small children for at least an hour with magic tricks and storytelling

33. Read a map, pitch a tent and pack a rucksack

34. Be authoritatively acquainted with at least one work by da Vinci, Constable, Degas, Turner and Canaletto

35. Manage a bank account

36. Slip away from a football riot

37. Address a member of the Royal Family

38. Complain effectively but politely in a restaurant

39. Deliver a lamb.

Blackpool Rule wrote:1. Cook three different dinner party menus

2. Say 'Can you help me please' in Arabic, Cantonese, Urdu, Spanish and Russian

3. Play a musical instrument, even if it's just the tom-toms or a mouth organ

4. Ride a horse to jackaroo standard

5. Be a 'tech whisperer', able to fix and set up the latest technogadgets

6. Talk about five classics of English literature with authority and passion

7. Perform resuscitation on someone who has stopped breathing

8. Know how to grow carrots from seed, distinguish five native trees, identify 20 flowers and arrange a bunch

9. Handle a shotgun, skin a rabbit, gut a fish and pluck a pigeon - sort of. I can handle a shotgun

10. Repair a bicycle puncture and fix the chain

11. Dance the eightsome reel, waltz to Strauss and bop to Lady Gaga

12. Taste the difference between Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay and know how to mix a mojito or margarita

13. Write a memorable thank you letter

14. Recognise music by Mozart, Elgar and Handel.

15. Put up a shelf and change a plug

16. Tie a bow tie, bowline and Bloody Butcher

17. Sail a boat across the Solent

18. Carve a joint of meat

19. Tell the difference between Gothic, Baroque and Palladian architecture

20. Make a speech, entertain an audience with a joke or an anecdote, and sing at least two songs by heart

21. Drive a tractor, reverse a trailer, renew engine oil and change a wheel

22. Find their way round five capital cities

23. Host a party and put others at their ease

24. Sustain a 10-shot rally at tennis

25. Build a bonfire and lay a fire

26. Perform three good card tricks

27. Identify five constellations and find the North Star

28. Score a cricket match

29. Talk knowledgeably about five British landmarks

30. Uncork and pour a bottle of Champagne

31. Iron a shirt, sew on a button and sew up a hem

32. Amuse small children for at least an hour with magic tricks and storytelling

33. Read a map, pitch a tent and pack a rucksack

34. Be authoritatively acquainted with at least one work by da Vinci, Constable, Degas, Turner and Canaletto

35. Manage a bank account

36. Slip away from a football riot

37. Address a member of the Royal Family

38. Complain effectively but politely in a restaurant

39. Deliver a lamb.

ricky//habana wrote:

Blackpool Rule wrote:1. Cook three different dinner party menus

2.Say 'Can you help me please' in Arabic, Cantonese, Urdu, Spanish and Russian -Replace bolded with French and English.

3. Play a musical instrument, even if it's just the tom-toms or a mouth organ

4. Ride a horse to jackaroo standard

5. Be a 'tech whisperer', able to fix and set up the latest technogadgets

6. Talk about five classics of English literature with authority and passion

7. Perform resuscitation on someone who has stopped breathing

8. Know how to grow carrots from seed, distinguish five native trees, identify 20 flowers and arrange a bunch

9. Handle a shotgun, skin a rabbit, gut a fish and pluck a pigeon

10. Repair a bicycle puncture and fix the chain

11. Dance the eightsome reel, waltz to Strauss and bop to Lady Gaga -WTF? i can dance, but seriously, come on.

12. Taste the difference between Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay and know how to mix a mojito or margarita

13. Write a memorable thank you letter

14. Recognise music by Mozart, Elgar and Handel.

15. Put up a shelf and change a plug

16. Tie a bow tie, bowline and Bloody Butcher

17. Sail a boat across the Solent

18. Carve a joint of meat

19. Tell the difference between Gothic, Baroque and Palladian architecture

20. Make a speech, entertain an audience with a joke or an anecdote, and sing at least two songs by heart

21. Drive a tractor(not everyone's a farmer these days), reverse a trailer, renew engine oil and change a wheel

22. Find their way round five capital cities- Only been to three, who has the time and money these days to get acquainted with 5 of the biggest cities in 5 countries? Unless you lived in one I wouldn't expect you to know any by heart.

23. Host a party and put others at their ease -Be able to use good grammar.

24. Sustain a 10-shot rally at tennis

25. Build a bonfire and lay a fire

26. Perform three good card tricks

27. Identify five constellations and find the North Star

28. Score a cricket match People get paid to do that, more like play a forward defensive and straight drive

29. Talk knowledgeably about five British landmarks

30. Uncork and pour a bottle of Champagne

31. Iron a shirt, sew on a button and sew up a hem

32. Amuse small children for at least an hour with magic tricks and storytelling

33. Read a map, pitch a tent and pack a rucksack

34. Be authoritatively acquainted with at least one work by da Vinci, Constable, Degas, Turner and Canaletto

35. Manage a bank account

36. Slip away from a football riot

37. Address a member of the Royal Family

38. Complain effectively but politely in a restaurant

39. Deliver a lamb.

All those bolded are bullshit that regular people don't need to do. Ever.

ahlycotc wrote:

Dan wrote:Err. No.


Does this person think we're in the 1930's. If you talk about five classics of English literature with authority and passion in most places in this country you'll be lucky if you get stabbed..

Only in England.

ricky//habana wrote:

Blackpool Rule wrote:
All those bolded are bullshit that regular people don't need to do. Ever.

So you never wonder about space and what else is beyond our world? (I'm doing astronomy at uni - am I not regular? ). Also, this is from Country Life magazine - the people that get this magazine are quite likely to have driven a tractor at some point.
And the architecture one is actually much easier than it seems too.
Also, there are many people who read these classic books so what do you mean by "regular people"?

MickStupp wrote:

ricky//habana wrote:

Blackpool Rule wrote:
All those bolded are bullshit that regular people don't need to do. Ever.

So you never wonder about space and what else is beyond our world? (I'm doing astronomy at uni - am I not regular? ). Also, this is from Country Life magazine - the people that get this magazine are quite likely to have driven a tractor at some point.
And the architecture one is actually much easier than it seems too.
Also, there are many people who read these classic books so what do you mean by "regular people"?

Regular people= Average, Working/Middle Class, married, 2.4 children, normal job (define that yourself)
I took advanced maths at college, but I wouldn't say that you HAD to be able to differentiate a curve and find the sum to infinity of a sequence. Knowing how to +-X/ and use % is far more important
(If you have to ask, you're not regular. Don't worry, we're all regular in our irregularity

I'm just talking about situations that are likely to come up in life, where you would be found wanting if you didn't have these skills for example the languages thing in a foreign country.

I like the idea of Astronomy, but wondering about space and identifying constellations are two different things entirely. How often in this day and age do we need to find north? Even if you get caught out without GPS for example, you would know where north is, and not know where anything else is in relation to the stars.

I also took english and enjoy reading so could probably reel off classics, but outside of a literary discussion, totally unnecessary. After all, you could read millions of books but not them, wouldn't mean you are less knowledgeable than someone who has only read 5 classics.

Arcchitectural knowledge of three types of classical buildings has little to no use in the world. Seriously, that's just something people can say "oh yes, i know what that type of building is, when it was built etc" and feel knowledgeable. It has no practical applications.

Fair point about the tractor though.