<p>I learned how to change a tire using the owner’s manual in my car by the side of the New Jersey turnpike in 1982. At first, I hoped someone would stop; as it got darker, I realized I was afraid someone would stop, so I set about solving the problem for myself. Fifteen minutes later, I was back on the road. (It was a crappy day; I broke up with my boyfriend, then had the flat, then once I got home, I found out the company I was working for had gone bankrupt and I was out of a job.)</p>
<p>How about: how to use information sources like Google, Yelp, and Youtube to find the information you need… and then how to evaluate whether the information is reliable. The problem with becoming an adult is that you’re the only person around who can solve the problem. Hence, the need to use online resources effectively. My son learned to make a really amazing cake by using Youtube videos; I learned how to warp a loom the same way. A friend learned how to knit. </p>
<p>How prevalent are bad handshakes? After being “taught” how to give a proper handshake more times than I can count, I can’t imagine that someone hasn’t had to be “taught” the same at least once. </p>
<p>It is so embarassing to ask someone from Montreal “how life’s going in the capital”.
Same goes for Brasil, Australia, the Netherlands, and all the other countries where the capital is not the largest city.
Oh, Andorra, Liechtenstein, and San Marino are all countries in Europe.
Andorra /=/ Angola.
The capital of Burkina Faso is Ouagadougou.
Madagascar is an actual island/country off the coast of Africa.
The language “Brasilian” is not spoken in Brazil. Neither is “Mexican” spoken in Mexico.
There is NO wall in Germany. It hasn’t been for 25 years.
There is however a Great Wall in China. And you cannot see it from space.
Mexicans don’t eat taco all that often. Neither do Chinese people live off Chinese noodles, and there is more food than Sushi in Japan.
Indians are citizens of India whereas in America, there are Native Americans. </p>
<p>These are just some of the things that are essential and/or fun to know :D</p>
<p>Changing a tire is a fairly handy skill. If you don’t know how, google as I’m sure there are videos on You Tube. Having basic tools: screwdrivers, hammer and a drill, and knowing how to use them.
How to call for emergency help in foreign countries. 999 in the U.K.</p>
<p>Even though GPS is so prevalent today I think it is a good idea to know how to read a map and preview one before traveling. Orient yourself in a city so you know N from S and E from W. In fact it is a good idea to carry maps when travelling for when you can not get service on your phone…even if you have navigation in your car it is good to know your route as many times nav systems want you to take some strange way which can take you out of your way.</p>
<p>YES, SweetTea! I got really good at the old Thomas Guides…so much easier than my Nav unit. Love my Passat, hate the user-hostile Navigation system!</p>
<p>AmH–I agree that people ought to know basic geography. Please, grown ups, look at a world map! </p>
<p>Last weekend at a family gathering, a relative in conversation made it clear that she thought Barcelona was in Italy. Said it two or three times before H corrected her. This woman is a college graduate, her husband works part of the time in Europe and travels there many times a year. She herself has been to Europe multiple times, including twice in the last two years on vacation. (I hate it when people have money to travel on nice vacations to places that they can’t even find on a map. Yep, they went there, but they had no idea exactly where they went )</p>
<p>How to balance your checkbook.
Don’t spend beyond your means
Don’t gamble.
Don’t put stuff on FB that will be embarrassing.
Work hard, have fun, make friends, enjoy your youth.
Use sunscreen and condoms.
Start saving for retirement now.</p>
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