[Vella Gonzaga]

General Discussion Thread 24.03.2025​

Hey members!

I hope you had a restful weekend and took some time for yourself. I spent mine washing the car and doing a few routine checks—nothing fancy, but just ensuring the wiper fluid, tyres, and coolant were good to go, as my dad always taught me. It got me thinking, though—do younger generations even think about doing these checks?

So, here’s a question for you: What’s one skill you’ve mastered that today’s younger generation would probably not know where to start?

Maybe it's something practical like changing a tyre, or something a bit more old-school like darning socks, reading a map, or writing in perfect cursive (remember those?!).

It’s pretty amazing how some of these skills have almost been forgotten, don’t you think?

So, what’s your ‘old-school’ talent that would stump the younger crowd? Share your answers below, and let’s see what gems of knowledge you’ve picked up over the years!

 

[Sinikka Pollari]

Knitting , mending clothes

 

[gamiry]

I can do all of those things but they don't seem to know how to spend money WITHOUT WASTING IT. I get sick of hearing about how hard life is. They get all the handouts we didn't and still expect us to feel sorry for them. We had no pensions, no child minding funds, no cheap medicines, no superannuation and often, like me, single parents worked extra jobs and we did it without yelling that we couldn't make ends meet. The one thing we did get was 1 pound per child every 3 months. GEE TAH!!!

 

[gamiry]

Knitting , mending clothes

I still do that

 

[Aussi Girl]

using my brain to calculate any math problems, like adding taking away and dividing, kids to day use their phones or calculator, I don't think any kids use their brain to do that

 

[Skilly69]

Multi tasking

 

[Harvey35Barney14]

How to drive a manual car

 

[Mikev]

I am a good reader of maps, so I’m guessing that most young people would never even have seen one!

 

[EllenM]

Things that kids today can’t do and don’t do (thank heavens)
Deftly apply and reapply baby oil while sunbaking at the hottest time of the day.

 

[starrysnan]

using my brain to calculate any math problems, like adding taking away and dividing, kids to day use their phones or calculator, I don't think any kids use their brain to do that

My daughter is 37 and somehow in her education being able to do any type of maths in her head was not taught. Even now when we go shopping she will ask me what multiples of items cost or reaches for the calculator on her phone. The other thing we oldies can do is live without a mobile phone - we didn't have them until we were in our thirties so they are a handy addition but my life would not end if I didn't have one!

 

[PostyAndStamp07]

well firstly p platers need to drive like us adults they certainly need to learn more they really need to take a good look at themselves

 

[Johno54]

Handwriting, mental arithmetic, showing g respect and empathy, staying married and everything else already stated above.

 

[Suzanne rose]

Looking after more than 3 kids at once. Although my daughters do well with their kids although their friends are always using their mum or mother inlaw to babysit and cook their dinners. As well as help with washing and ironing

I do baby sit if they have medical appointments or weddings and I occasionally make them a dish.
I also bake muffins and biscuits for my grandkids .

 

[EllenM]

Skills I’ve mastered that would baffle today’s kids?

Stuffing a training bra with tissues.

A home perm. Why??!!

Walking and only falling over a few times in chunky, clunky, heavy wooden high heels.

Tie dying. Everything.

Playing with a hula hoop. (There’s an art to it!)

Plucking your eyebrows - the thinner the better

And I’ll mention this one again from my earlier post-

Smearing baby oil and sunbaking for hours when the sun is at its hottest

So, it appears I’ve just described a freckled, frizzy haired, flat chested 14 year old girl with ultra thin eyebrows and choo choo bar stained teeth. Pass me the hula hoop please.

 

[Paul Gray]

Never totally think your a Master
Because the only thing that is so called "Normal" in this world and Dimention
Is the word Normal itself

 

[Lillyloo]

I am baffled when I’m at a cash register the total is $35.55 I give them $40.55 and they reach for a calculator or say ”no you’ve given me too much” I am sure my mouth gapes with disbelie.
driving a manual car, best way to stop these young idiots from stealing your car.
and conversing, so many young people have lost the art of actually talking, they spend too much time sending messages with emojis

 

[louarrivolo]

Mental maths and spelling are no where near what they used to be. I did a long division problem recently on paper and the kids thought that I was some kind of maths genius.

 

[RFG]

I have mastered maths & spelling, can hold a face to face conversation, have manners and patience. I am thankful for the small things in life, have always had respect for elders....the list goes on. Kids today have none of these simple life skills. Most of todays kids are pretty much brain dead, who can only survive in their digital world...they thrive on fake info, fake friends, fake relationships and fake personas.

 

[leecam]

I would definitely say common sense

 

[Luckyus]

Common and decorative fancy ropework, like for instance a Turks Head. I remember once while working as a rigger, a trades assistant (Fancy name for labourer) asked if one of us would back splice a frayed end rope so I showed him how to start doing it, once he had it I left him to it of course the other riggers had a go at me for showing him. But changed their tune when I said that if he came back I'd show him more and that one day I might want his help?