MSE Poll: Take our life skills test

Former_MSE_Naomi

Poll started 29 October 2019

For this week's poll, we thought it would be interesting to see how many of these 21st century life skills you can actually do, pitting the younger generation against the older generation.

Click here to vote in the poll

Did you vote? Are you surprised at the results so far? Have your say below.

If you haven't already, join the forum to reply.

Thanks!

heatherw_01

I am under 40, barely though lol.
Can do pretty much all of them other than 2 or 3

Murphybear

Interesting difference in the “wire a plug” option.

Those of us over a certain age could only buy electrical appliances without plugs on so we had to learn. Fast

worried_jim

Bloke 45. I've done all of them except wallpaper.

203846930

Over 60 and there are only 3 things on the list that I have never had to do so don't know if I can do them or not.

flea72

duncanthedog wrote: »

Over 60 and there are only 3 things on the list that I have never had to do so don't know if I can do them or not.

And i think this allows the poll results to be skewed. Many people assume they can do something, even if they havent actually tried it, as it appears a simple task, so would tick Yes. But as already pointed out, most appliances come with moulded plugs now, so very few people need to wire a plug, yet the score is high across the board. Also in the scheme of things, very few people file tax returns or have carried out CPR, but the poll results show they can.

pollypenny

Looks like most people can do most things!

Now, the type of nappy would be crucial! How many could put a large square towelling nappy on a wriggling baby.

NBLondon

duncanthedog wrote: »

Over 60 and there are only 3 things on the list that I have never had to do so don't know if I can do them or not.

I'm thoroughly impressed that a dog can do any of those - never mind one that's the equivalent of 420 years old....

I can do mostly the techie stuff not the DIY stuff. Not through lack of knowing where to start but due to lack of dexterity.

XRAT

Interesting.., 80% of women and 90% of men can parallel park.
Insurance companies please note.

suki1964

XRAT wrote: »

Interesting.., 80% of women and 90% of men can parallel park.
Insurance companies please note.

Well I said I couldn't, because I don't, but I obviously can because I passed my test first time and parallel parking was one of the things I was tested on

JillieA

Well, XRAT and NBLondon have really perked up my morning but NBLondon must be careful - I read an epitaph in a book the other day that said: Here lies the victim of fast women and slow horses.
Re. the poll list, I'm surprised at the omission of "Prepare a simple dinner from basic raw ingredients, without instructions" That is a crucial skill but I know a lot of people (under 65) who say they couldn't do that. I take the point made earlier though - there were a few that I didn't tick because I am too small and puny to do them.