Thread: What should a man know?

In no particular order, a man should know:

• The proper handling and usage of a rifle, handgun and shotgun
• one basic form of self defense (other than firearms)
• how to cook a 3 course meal (minimum)
• CPR and basic first aid
• how to tie a necktie (single and double windsor)
• how to play a musical instrument (string, percussion or brass/ your choice)
• how to sew a button back on
• how to repair a dripping faucet and clean a clogged drain
• how to field dress an animal and clean a fish
• how to cook over an open pit fire
• the types of government and what there differences are
• a second language (I know very little of one)
• basic sign language
• basic auto maintenance and repairs, and definately how to change a tire
• shame, modesty, thankfulness and forgiveness
• love
• HOW TO SHAVE

Last but not least

• the date of anniversaries and you wife's birthday

Originally Posted by kilowattkid

In no particular order, a man should know:

• The proper handling and usage of a rifle, handgun and shotgun
• one basic form of self defense (other than firearms)
• how to cook a 3 course meal (minimum)
• CPR and basic first aid
• how to tie a necktie (single and double windsor)
• how to play a musical instrument (string, percussion or brass/ your choice)
• how to sew a button back on
• how to repair a dripping faucet and clean a clogged drain
• how to field dress an animal and clean a fish
• how to cook over an open pit fire
• the types of government and what there differences are
• a second language (I know very little of one)
• basic sign language
• basic auto maintenance and repairs, and definately how to change a tire
• shame, modesty, thankfulness and forgiveness
• love
• HOW TO SHAVE

Last but not least

• the date of anniversaries and you wife's birthday

I'm set on all but the guns and musical instrument. And all I know in sign language is B**** make me a sandwich/pancakes. Not the most useful. On the other hand I know 3 languages, so it balances out.

I would also like to add:

-How to shine his own shoes
-Basic woodworking
-How to tell time on an analog clock (you would be shocked at how many people my age (20) can't)
-How to make at least 4 or 5 basic adult beverages

Originally Posted by DPflaumer

-How to make at least 4 or 5 basic adult beverages

I like it.

Also, to be able to appreciate quality.

Great list....but "three types of government?" Aren't there a lot more than that?


I would also like to add....the basic care of a child. Whether or not you have ever had one, or feel it is a "woman's job" or ever CARE to have one...if, for any reason, you are suddenly placed in charge of a young child (emergency situation, etc), being able to provide for their physical and emotional (to a degree) wellbeing while you are the adult in charge of them is a skill that I feel is too important to NOT have.

Doing some community service during undergrad, I worked in a terrible part of town, with some folks with a lot of challenges BESIDES just being very poor. More than once, a young child, anywhere from barely walking up through 9 or 10 years old would look to myself or some of the other volunteers looking for help that was NOT our responsibility to give, but there was no one else to do it. The number of young men that avoided the problem like the plague was dissapointing. I was only about 20, but the lessons I learned then have stuck with me. I had never felt like such a man (having lived like a boy for the most part until then) as when I took responsibility for making a child's hard day a little easier.

Now that I have my own...I thank God that I can give her what she needs, in part due to tthe lessons I learned back then.

[QUOTE=smokelaw1;487372]Great list....but "three types of government?" Aren't there a lot more than that? [QUOTE]

No mention of 3 types of gov. I stated that a man should know "THE' types of governments.

+1 on the care of a child. A man should know the feel of staying up all night watching a sick child / spouse / relative.

You don't hit a certain age and "become a man". You don't "become a man" through kills, thrills and spills.

You become a man when there are individuals in your life that you hold their well-being in higher regard than your own.

[QUOTE=kilowattkid;487382][QUOTE=smokelaw1;487372]Great list....but "three types of government?" Aren't there a lot more than that?

No mention of 3 types of gov. I stated that a man should know "THE' types of governments.

+1 on the care of a child. A man should know the feel of staying up all night watching a sick child / spouse / relative.

You don't hit a certain age and "become a man". You don't "become a man" through kills, thrills and spills.

You become a man when there are individuals in your life that you hold their well-being in higher regard than your own.

D'Oh! Add to the list: LERn to REED beDDER.

You become a man when there are individuals in your life that you hold their well-being in higher regard than your own.[/QUOTE]

+1 Being a man involves alot more than age, I know guys in thier 30's I consider to be boys.

Honestly I agree with the "a real man should know when he is in over his head" and would like to add that a real man shouldn't have to obsess over being a real man. Just be whoever you are.

I know some manly men who can't do half of this stuff. I mean, my one coach is an Olympic athlete, served in the Rangers for 8 years (made it to captain, meritorious service + bronze star) and I'm not fully sure of what he can and can't do, but I respect him as a great man not just because of what he's done, but he's an honest, genuine nice guy, and unless someone else told you, you would never guess the things he's accomplished.

If you can keep your head when all about you are losing thiers and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, but make allowance for thier doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired of waiting, or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated don't give way to hating, and yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;
If you can dream-and not make dreams your master,
If you can think-and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster and treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to , broken, and stoop and build them up with worn out tools;
If you can make one heap of all your winnings and risk it on one turn of pitch and toss, and lose, and start again at your beginnings and never breath a word about your loss;
If you force your heart and nerve and sinew to serve your turn long after they are gone, and to hold on when there is nothing in you except the will which says to them "hold on"
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, or walk with kings-nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute with sixty second worth of distance run,
Yours is the earth and everything that's in it and- which is more- you'll be a man my son.

Rudyard Kipling

Originally Posted by khaos

a real man shouldn't have to obsess over being a real man. Just be whoever you are.

I absolutely agree with that.

Life's too short to worry about some abstract idea of 'man'.