Woman working on her laptop while writing something on a notepad. Representative Cover Image Source: Pexels | Ivan Samkov
As children, many of us looked forward to being adults and doing whatever we pleased. But adulthood comes with its own set of challenges and one might have to constantly learn things to become a functional adult who thrives in society. Surprisingly, many adults don't know basic skills that they should have known for quite some time. It could be something one is taught as a child, or something that is essential to survive on your own in the world, but some people simply didn't or couldn't learn how to do it. u/Calm_Ostrich_8876 asked Reddit, "What’s a basic skill you’re shocked some adults still don’t know?" Many people came up with answers that might leave someone stunned.
A woman holding a yellow plastic bottle standing close to a washing machine. Representative Image Source: Pexels | RDNE Stock Project
Some people pointed out that many adults didn't know how to clean the lint trap on a dryer, even though almost everyone has to do their own laundry. Others have shockingly met people who don't know how to look things up on Google and have to constantly rely on other people for help because of that. While some people knew adults who didn't know how to manage their finances or make a budget. Quite a few people feel that many adults don't have "spatial awareness," and hence, they are constantly in other people's way. Here are 20 basic skills that many adults should have known for years, but don't.
How to look something up. There's a massive number of full-grown adults who just don't look things up, despite having easy access to the Internet and go around begging for help with the most basic of tasks. -u/Effablefornent
3. Managing finances
The number of people I have met who have made it to a very old age and still have such a poor understanding of basic finance is staggering. How can you have gone through your entire life without learning something so important? -u/Tusker89
4. Reading comprehension
I work with many people ranging from the ages of 20-60 and quite a few of them just can't seem to understand written instructions that are more than a sentence or two in length. They absolutely can recognize English words written down, they even know what these words mean, but too many of them in a row and they just kinda check out. It isn't everyone for sure, but a good 1/3rd of the people I work with seem to be functionally illiterate just due to having no reading comprehension and it isn't just young people either. I just don't understand how people can go through life like that. -u/Queen_Ephemia
A woman reading something on an iPad. Representative Image Source: Pexels | picjumbo.com
5. Spatial awareness
The number of people who will just stand still in the middle of a busy street, taking all the space… ugh. -u/kawag
Ctrl + c for copy. Ctrl + v for paste. How can a college graduate not know that? -u/npdady
8. Typing
Typing. Like actual keyboarding. Half my staff didn’t know what a shift key is for. -u/Prtyybyrd
A woman typing something on her laptop. Representative Image Source: Pexels | Christina Morillo
9. Critical thinking
Specifically, so many people don't seem to be able to reach their own opinions. So many people will accuse you of being a sheep or part of a hive mind, but they just accept whatever opinion they like best or that someone tells them. Why don't you sit with the thought, the information and come to your own conclusions? -u/whitetippedark
10. Basic courtesy
Common courtesy and respect for others around you. -u/BigEvilDoer
11. Replacing batteries
Replacing batteries in a clearly audible smoke detector. -u/soundLikeATiger
12. Basic computer skills
Basic computer usage. Email. Paying a bill online. -u/Lucky-Hawk5067
Sewing on a button or mending a hole/tear. I once heard someone say they were going to throw away a pair of gloves that had a tiny hole in the seam. -u/Imcookiedough
How to use jumper cables. I always have them in my car, and when someone asks for a jump, or even offers to help me, they just sit back completely dumbfounded as I hook everything up. -u/m1stak3
20. Cooking
Cooking. The number of people I know who survive on Mac and cheese, sandwiches, takeout and microwave meals. Wild. -u/imsadandthatsrad
