In 2017, the picture of a man is changing. A man can be the breadwinner or a stay-at-home dad. He can be blue-collar or white-collar.
With that being said, there are a number of things that all men should know. There should be a common denominator in what was passed down to us and what we pass down to the next generation. There are things that we need to survive and thrive in today’s world.
Here are 19 things every man should know!
1. Change a Tire
There will come a time in every man’s life that he will be stranded or need to rescue someone in distress.
2. Drive (Drive a Stick Shift)
Though it’s pretty unbelievable to me, there are more and more kids growing up not learning how to drive. I have even known college kids that have never driven. Driving a vehicle is of utmost importance.
3. Listen
“You have two ears and only one mouth because listening is more important than speaking.” There could not be any truer words.
4. Start a Fire
Whether camping, cooking, or just trying to stay warm, this is something every man should know. By the way, gas or diesel is not the ingredient used to start a fire.
5. CPR/Heimlich
If you are going to be the one that someone can depend on when the chips are down, these are necessities.
6. Barbeque
There is a reason it is referred to manning the grill and grilling the perfect steak. The smell of the smoke, the heat, and the steel are all staples of manhood.
7. Tie a Necktie
No matter how casual society is becoming, there will always come a time that a necktie is appropriate. Will you be the adult wearing a child’s clip-on tie?
8. Basic Repair Skills
Things are going to break, bend, and wear out around the house or on your car. You can call a repairman every time and pay an arm and a leg, or you can man up and solve the problem. Only one way gives you any extra money for the motorcycle or four-wheeler that you’ve been eyeing.
9. Know when to ask for help
As I previously stated, you will come to a breaking point where the world will get the best of you. Contrary to popular thinking, you can’t do it all by yourself. Remember pride goeth before the fall.
10. Jumpstart a Car
Real life is not like the TV commercial where the wife tells the phone app that the car is dead and poof, AAA drives up behind them to jumpstart the car. Where do you want to be, stranded with no way out beside waiting on a stranger?
11. Flirt
There is more to a relationship with a woman than the end result and it doesn’t stop when you say “I Do.”
12. Haggle or Negotiate
Unfortunately, it is something that has to happen. Unlike the grocery store, the sticker price is not always the lowest minimum price, but the sucker price. Are you going to be the sucker?
13. Cook
It’s not just for ladies anymore and it doesn’t make you less of a man. Do you want to be the man that has to depend on a woman for the rest of your life?
14. Shake Hands
It is not a fist bump or a high five. It is becoming a lost art and rarely taught properly. There is more to it than just a formality and it says so much about you before you even speak to a person.
15. Iron Clothes
Again, it is not a ladies job anymore, and like the handshake, you can convey so much about yourself by the message your clothes send. Did you plan ahead for your event, or throw an outfit together at the last minute because you have higher priorities?
16. Open a Bottle without Bottle Opener
OK, it is not a dire need but people love a man that can get the job done. It may be a beverage bottle or a wine bottle but getting the job done no matter what can get you a long way.
17. Read a Situation
She is not always fine like she says she is, and sometimes you need to know when to get out of a situation before it escalates. A good man will know how and when to act without being told.
18. Manscape
It may not always seem like it but men have come a long way from the cavemen. With that being said, we need to look the part as well. Your manscaping may be different from others in varying degrees, but is needed regardless.
19. Apologize
One of the hardest things for men to do is to admit they are wrong. Apologizing will get you far in life when used instead of asserting your pride.
We as men have to get out of the technological world and transition into the real world with real people. We have to know how to survive in this world by incorporating some if not all of these traits.
These are just some of my own thoughts, but I am definitely not the premier authority on this. Is there anything you would add to this list? Share in the comments!
Featured Image Via: youtube
