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September28,2015
ManlySkills

100SkillsEveryManShouldKnow

Itsbeenfodderformanyaheateddebateamongmenforcenturies.
Whatskillsshouldeverymanknow?
Avastamountofinkandeinkhasbeenspilledonthesubject.Butwhy?
Partofbeingamanisbeingcompetentandeffectiveintheworld.Todothat,youvegottohaveskills.A
manwantstoknow(oratleastfeellikeheknows)thatnomatterwhatsituationhesplacedin,hellbe
abletohandlehimselftoactratherthanbeactedupon.Henceourincessantdrivetofigureoutwhat
skillswellneedtoknowinordertodemonstrateconfidenceandcapabilityinourmanlyroles
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skillswellneedtoknowinordertodemonstrateconfidenceandcapabilityinourmanlyroles
asprocreators,protectors,andproviders.
Forprimitiveman,thisneededskillsetwasclearandrelativelynarrow,largelyrevolvingaroundthejobs
offightingandhunting.
Thebreadthofskillsneededtoday,however,ismuchwider.Themodernmanmustbebothawarriorand
adiplomat,awoodsmanandascholar.Weneedbothhardskillsandsoftskillsskillsweuseeveryday
andskillswekeepinthebackpocket,justincase.
WevecoveredmanyoftheseskillsovertheyearsontheArtofManliness,andsofigureditwastimeto
addourcontributiontothecollectiveculturalenterpriseoffiguringoutwhichskillsawellrounded,
grownmanshouldhave.BelowyoullfindtheAoMlistof100skillseverymanshouldknow.

1.TieaNecktie
EveninourcasualculturewherehoodiesareappropriateattireforbillionaireCEOs,everymanshould
knowhowtotieatie.Funerals,weddings,andjobinterviewsarejustafewoccasionswhenasharp
necktieisappropriate,andyoullbeattendingplentyofthoseduringyouradultlife.Youdontwanttobe
the30somethingwhoneedstoaskhismomtotiehistieforhim.

2.BuildaCampfire

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Theresaprimordiallinkbetweenmenandfire.Whileitsnolongernecessaryforoursurvival,mans
connectiontofirestillexists.Itsbothexhilaratingandcalming,dangerousandassuring.Theresnothing
likesittingaroundacracklingfireunderastarryskywhilepokingtheemberswithastickandmeditating
onthebigquestionsinlife.Justforthosereasonsaloneamanshouldknowhowtobuildafire.Butits
alsovitaltoknowsoyoucanbuildafirewhilecampinginordertocookasolidmealforyourselfand
thosewithyou.UsingDuraflamelogsisacardinalsinthatwillautomaticallysendyoutoouterdarkness,
wherethereiswailingandgnashingofteeth.

3.HangaPicture
Beingaskedtohangapictureonthewallmaybeperhapstheworldsmostcommonhoneydo.While
notnecessarilyanexactscience,knowingsomebasicsaboutwallhangings,andwheretoplaceprintson
thewall,willensurethatyourhomehascharmthatwillknockthesocksoffvisitingdatesandparents,
andgreatlypleaseyourmainsqueeze.

4.ShineYourShoes

Apairofshoeswithamirrorshinecanaddthefinishingtouchtoasharpgetup.Andbesideskeeping

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Apairofshoeswithamirrorshinecanaddthefinishingtouchtoasharpgetup.Andbesideskeeping
yourshoesintiptopshape,theactofshoeshiningisasatisfying,manlyritualthatcalmsthemind.The
repetitivestrokesoftheshinebrushcoupledwiththewarmsmellofshoeshinepolishisenoughtoput
youintoameditativestate.Togotheextramile,buildyourownshoeshinebox.

5.TreataSnakebite
Sincetheverydawnofman,snakeshavebeenoneofourgreatestenemies.Theyslitherandsneakand
hiss,andjustarenogoodforanyone.Shouldyouencounterapoisonousvarietyofsnake(learnhowto
identifythemhere!),itsinyourbestinteresttoknowhowtotreatbeingbitten.Hint:mostoftheold
wivestalesarejustthat,sodontgotryingtosuckthepoisonout.

6.ReadaBook

1)Openbook.2)Readwords.3)Closebook.4)Moveontonextbook.Readingabookseemslikea
prettystraightforwardtask,doesntit?Andinsomecases,itis.Ifyourereadingpurelyforentertainment
orleisure,itcertainlycanbethateasy.Theresanotherkindofreading,though,inwhichweatleast
attempttogleansomethingofvaluefromthebookinourhands(whetherinpaperortabletform).Insuch
cases,therearecertaintechniquesyoumustmastertobeabletodivedeeperintothetextandsuckoutall
themarrow.

7.SurviveaBearAttack
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Whilebearattacksarerare,amanshouldalwaysbeprepared.Whetheryourecampingforaweekend,or
simplyoutforamorninghike,youneverknowwhenyoullneedthisinformation.Believeitornot,just
weeksafterIcompiledtheresearchforourAoMguideonthetopic,Iencounterednotone,buttwoblack
bearsonapopulartrailinRockyMountainNationalPark.Itdoeshappen.Iwassurprisinglycalmwith
thisusefulknowledgeathand,andIfeltconfidentIcouldhavetakendownthoseblackbearsshould
necessityhavecalled.Alas,itdidnt,andImournedthelossofthenewrugIwaslookingforwardtofor
mylivingroom.

8.WetShave

Electricshavingisfastandeasyandthemultibladedrazorscangiveyouaprettycloseshave.But
nothingbeatsthemanlyritualofshavingwithasafetyrazororstraightrazor.Traditionalwetshaving
addsanelementofskillbackintowhathasbecomeamindlessgroomingactivity.Itmakesyoumindful
andpresent.Plus,oldschoolwetshavingismuchcheaperthanusingthefancymultibladecartridges.A
bladewillonlysetyoubackabout25cents.Feelmanlyandsavemoney?Itsawinwinproposition.

9.ParallelPark
Inthesuburbsyouenjoyendlessdriveinparkinginthegiantlotsinfrontofbigboxstores.Makeatrip

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Inthesuburbsyouenjoyendlessdriveinparkinginthegiantlotsinfrontofbigboxstores.Makeatrip
downtownanditsadifferentstory.Yeah,thereareparkinggarages,butmostoftheparkingisonthe
streetnexttothecurb(nottomentionitsalsothecheapest),meaningyouneedtoknowhowtoparallel
park.Youdontwanttobetheguywhoholdsuptrafficbecausehesconstantlybackingupandmoving
forwardaftermultiplefailedattempts.

10.PaddleaCanoe

Paddlinglazilyacrossthewaterisoneofmansgreatjoys.Whetherwithyourgalonadate,orjust
enjoyingnatureonasoloouting,therearefewbetterrecreationalactivities.Whilepaddlingmightseem
asnaturalasridingabike,ittakesacertainlevelofskilltodeftlycaptainacanoe.Dontbethat
guy/couplewhocantmakeheadwaybecausetheypaddleinefficientlyoreventipoverandendupinthe
water.

11.Negotiate/Haggle
Dependingonwhereyouareintheworld,negotiationiseitherapartofeverydaylifeoran
uncomfortablepracticethatsconsciouslyavoidedwheneverpossible.Butheresatruththatmanyofus,
especiallythoseofuslivingintheWesternworld,dontalwaysconsider:whetherornotyourealizeit,
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especiallythoseofuslivingintheWesternworld,dontalwaysconsider:whetherornotyourealizeit,
manyofyourcommercialtransactionscanbenegotiated.Fromhotelrooms,torentalcars,tocomplex
businessdeals,knowinghowtohagglecansaveyou(oryourbusiness)aboatloadofmoney.Its
awkward,sure,butwithpractice,youllgetmoreconfidentandcapableinthedeftartofnegotiating.

12.FixaLeakyFaucet

Drip.Drip.Drip.Itcandriveamancrazyinthemiddleofthenightwhenhestryingtosleep.Itcanalso
costyoumoneyinthelongrun,inbothwaterandhandymanbills.WhileplumbingisnotalwaysaDIY
project,fixingaleakyfaucetisgenerallyaprettysimpletask.Withacoupletools,atriptoyourlocal
hardwarestore,andthisguidefromThisOldHouse,youllrestoreyoursanityinnotime.

13.TreataBurn
Burnscanhappenjustaboutanytimeandanyplace.Spilledcoffee,mischievouscampfire,overheated
carengineourworldisrifewithpotentialforharmthroughheat.Shouldyoufindyourselfwithafirst
orevenseconddegreeburn(learnhowtodifferentiate),youcanalmostalwaystreatityourself.Acouple
tips:Youwanttoslowlycooltheaffectedareawithcool,noticy,water.Makesuretocleantheburnand
applyanantibioticointment,anddontpoptheblisters,asthatincreasestheinfectionrisk.Moreinfo
abouttreatingburnscanbefoundhere.

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abouttreatingburnscanbefoundhere.

14.TellaJoke

Intheageofdankmemesandviralvideos,theartofthewelltoldjokeisadyingskill.Knowinghowto
makepeoplelaughwithoutresortingtoshowingaguykickedinthenutsonyoursmartphonewillsetyou
apartfromthepack.Plus,whenyoureoutinthemiddleofthewoodsandcellphonereceptionisnon
existent,knowinghowtotellawelltimedjokewillbesomeoftheonlyentertainmentyouhave.

15.PredicttheWeather
Ifyouregularlywatchyourlocalnewsfortheweatherforecast,orcheckyoursmartphoneforit,you
knowhowoftentheyareflatoutwrong.Whileforecastinghascomealongways,someofthemost
accuratetoolsaretheoldest.Barometers,forinstance,cantellyouwhattheweatherwillbelikeinthe
next2448hoursaswellasanyprofessionalforecast.Beyondscientificinstruments,evenoldproverbs
likeRedskyatnight,sailorsdelightredskiesinmorning,sailorstakewarninghavemany
kernelsoftruthcontainedwithin.Soonenoughyourownpredictionswillbebeatingthatofyourlocal
weatherman.

16.DoaDeadliftProperly

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16.DoaDeadliftProperly

Thedeadlifttrainsthemusclesthatallowyoutoperformoneofthemostbasicofhumanmovements
liftingstuffofftheground.Besidesthesquat,nootherexerciseprovidesasmuchpracticalityasthe
deadlift.Anditjustfeelsplainawesometohoist400+lbsoffthegroundwithabarbell.

17.ReciteaPoemFromMemory
Theressomethingaboutrecitingapoemfrommemorythatsdifferentfromjustreadingitoverandover
again.Thewordsbecomeapartofyou.Theymaynotbeyouroriginalwords,butwhenyousaythem
frommemory,itfeelsliketheyrecomingfromtheheart.Recitingapoemfrommemorycanprovideyou
andothersinspirationandconsolationintryingtimes.Plus,knowinghowtoeffortlesslysprinkleinafew
linesfromapoeminaconversationcanmakeyouappearabitliketheMostInterestingManinthe
World.

18.GrillWithCharcoal

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Whilethepropanebarbecuegrillhasonlybeenaroundsincethe1950s,menhavebeengrillingwith
charcoalforthousandsofyears.Ratherthanjustpushingabuttonforyourfire,charcoalrequiresalittle
moreskillandcare,andaccordingtomostfolks,makesforabettertastingproductaswell.Boneupon
lightingacharcoalgrill.

19.PerformCPR
Someemergencysituationsaresourgentthatcalling911andwaitingforparamedicswillbetoolate.
Oneofthoseisinthecaseofheartattackorotherscenariowheresomeonebecomesunresponsiveandis
havingtroublebreathing.Believeitornot,onequarterofAmericanssaytheyvebeeninsuchasituation.
Dontbecaughtunprepared.WhileyoushouldknowconventionalCPR,youshouldalsobeawareofthe
newhandsonlymethodwhichcanbeusedonteenagersandadults.

20.ThrowaSpiral

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WhetheryoureplayingcatchwithyourkiddosonaSaturdayorplayingalltimeQBatthisyears
ThanksgivingTurkeyBowl,youllneedtoknowhowtothrowanice,tightfootballspiral.

21.SewaButton
Yourehastilygettingreadyforwork,andasyoubuttonupyourniceoxfordshirt,onepopsoff.Youve
knownitwasloose,andthatthisreckoningwouldcome.Whatisamantodo?Sewitbackon,ofcourse!
Whilesewingmayseemlikeaskillpurelyintheladiesrealm,knowingthissimpleclothingfixcan
comeinmightyhandywhenyoureinapinch.

22.SplitFirewood

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Yes,mostofushavecentralheatingtokeepourhouseswarmduringthewinter,buttheresnothinglike
thewarmglowofafireplacefireduringthewintermonthstokeepyoutoasty.Buttogetthebiglogsto
fitintoyourfireplace,youllneedtomakethemsmallerbysplittingthem.Andletsbehonest,splitting
woodisntsomuchaboutloweringyourheatingbill,butratheraboutthesatisfactionamangetswhen
hismaulgoescleanlythroughalogandsplitsitinonestroke.Itmakesforgreatexercise,too.

23.FindPotableWater
Whenyourelostinthewoods,yourmostimmediateneedsarefood,shelter,andwaterthelastof
whichisthemostpressing.Onemethodoffindingsafedrinkingwateristocollectrainwater.Ifyoure
goingtouselakeorriverwater,itshouldbepurified,whichcanbedonewithfiltration,iodinetablets,
andothermethods.

24.ChangeaFlatTire

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Theresnosoundasdishearteningtoadriverthantheflopflopofaflattire.Insteadofcursingaboutit,
lookataflattireasachancetodisplayyourmanlysufficiencybychangingityourself.Knowinghowto
changeaflatwillsaveyourownbuttwhenyoureoutonsomelonelystretchofhighway,andwillcome
inhandywhenhelpingadamselindistressorahaplesstraveleronthesideoftheroad.

25.BreakDownaDoor
Youreinaburninghouseandyouneedtoescape,butthedoorisonfire.Oryourlovedonesareina
burninghouseandyourelockedout.Youcantstandtherefiddlingwiththelockyouvegottobreak
itdown!Orperhapsalovedoneisstrickenwithamedicalemergencyandislockedinsidearoomorin
theirhouse.Whattodo?Beaman,dammit!Breakdownthatdoor!Youknowyouvealwayswantedto.

26.TakethePerfectPhoto

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TheadventofthesmartphonemeansthatmosteveryoneiscarryingahighqualityHDcameraintheir
pocketatalltimes.Unfortunately,thisfactalonedoesntmeanyouretakinggoodpictureswithit.Dont
letlifesmemorablemomentsbehamperedbyapoorphoto.Playaroundwithyourcamera,gettoknow
thevarioussettings,andunderstandsomebasicsaboutwhatmakesagreatphoto.

27.SharpenaKnife
Frompocketknivestokitchenknivestosurvivalknives,bladesareoneofmansmostimportanttools.
Butadullbladerendersyourknivesuselessanddangerous.Knowhowtosharpenablade,doit
regularly,andyoullalwaysbereadytosliceoffapieceofapple,orevenslayakillerraccoon.

28.ChangeaDiaper

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Evenifyoudonthaveplansofbeingadad,youllendupchangingapoopfilleddiaperatsomepointin
yourlife,perhapsforanepheworgodson.Manymenareintimidatedbythetask,buttheresreallynot
muchtoit,andthereareafewtricksthatcanmakeitaquickandtidyaffair.

29.GiveaSpeech
Weallarefacedwithspeakingopportunitiesthroughoutourlives.Whetheritsrunningforstudent
councilpresident,makingapresentationatwork,havingyourvoiceheardatacitycouncilmeeting,or
offeringaeulogy,aknackforpublicspeakingmakesyouamorepersuasiveandpowerfulman.

30.NavigateWithMapandCompass

Sure,wevegotphoneswithGoogleMapsthatcangiveusturnbyturndirections.Butwhathappens
whenyoudonthavethephonebecauseyoureinthemiddleofthewildernessandyoucantgeta
signal?Howareyougoingtogetbacktoyourfancyskilodgenow?Withamapandcompassofcourse.
OutofalltheskillsIvelearnedovertheyears,thishasbeenoneofthemostempowering.Itjustfeels
awesomeknowingthatbysimplygettingmybearingswithacompassandlookingatatopographicmapI
cantraversemilesandgettowhereIneedtobe.
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cantraversemilesandgettowhereIneedtobe.

31.UnclogaToilet
Someclogswilltakecareofthemselveswithafewflushes,butsometimesyoudropamonstersobig
thatittakesabitofworkandknowhowtogetthetoiletunclogged.Foraddedskillpoints,knowhowto
unclogatoiletwithoutaplunger.Thatllsaveyouwhenyouclogthetoiletatyourgirlfriendsparents
houseandyoudontwanttoshamefullyaskforaplunger.

32.BuyaSuit

Youlllikelybuytwoorthreesuitsinyourlifetime.Ifyoubuytherightone,itwillbeyears,maybeeven
adecade,beforeyoullhavetobuyanother,soknowwhattolookforinaqualitysuithowitshould
fit,howitshouldbeconstructed,thedetailsyoushouldcareabout,andthealterationsthatcanmakeit
nighnearperfect.Notonlywillknowinghowtobuyasuithelpyou,youllalsobeabletohelpfriends
andfamilynavigatethehaberdasherysotheydontwastemoneyonacrappylookingoutfit.

33.SwimtheFrontStroke
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Swimmingisnotonlyafunrecreationalactivity,butasurvivalskillaswell.Knowinghowtoswimthe
frontstrokecouldnotonlywinyouagoldmedal(evenifitsjustinyourbackyardolympics),butcould
verywellsaveyourlifesomedaytoo.Itsthefastestoftheprimaryswimmingstrokes,andisamongthe
firstthatanyswimmerlearnsinthepool.Ifyoudontyetknowit,takeituponyourselftofindan
instructor,anddivein!

34.ShakeHands

Afirmhandshakeisanimportantpartofagoodfirstimpression.Afullgriphandshake,givenwithjust
therightpressure,andaccompaniedwithyourlookinginthepersonseyes,conveyswarmthand
confidence.Conversely,alimp,deadfishshakeoracrushingdeathgripwillgetyourmeetingoffonthe
decidedlywrongfoot.Orhand,Iguess.

35.TreatFrostbite
Itonlytakes30minutestogetfrostbitewhenits0degreesoutsidewitha15mphwind.Decreasethe
temporupthewindspeed,andthatnumberquicklygoesto10andeven5minutes.Ifyouexperience
lossofcolororfeelingatyourextremities(frostbitehitsyourbodyatitsfurthestpointsfromyourcore),
yourepossiblyexperiencinganonsetoffrostbite.Thefirststepistoslowlyrewarmtheaffectedareas 17/48
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yourepossiblyexperiencinganonsetoffrostbite.Thefirststepistoslowlyrewarmtheaffectedareas
withwarm,nothot,water.Seehereformoretipsontreatingfrostbite.

36.IronYourClothes

Youvegotapairoftrousersandacustomshirt,butthewholegetuplooksterriblebecauseyoucouldnt
takethetimeordidnthavetheknowhowtoironyourclothes.Manymendontknowhowtoirontheir
pantsortheirshirtbecausedearoldmomdiditforthemandoncetheygotmarried,theMrs.tookover
thechore.Buteverymanisgoingtohaveaperiodinhislifewhenhesonhisownandhellhavetodo
hisownironing.Itsnotthathardandtakesjustfiveminutes,butitcanmakeallthedifferencebetween
anoutfitlookingputtogetherorsloppy.

37.PracticeSituationalAwareness
Everydaytheresachancewellencounterathreatthatcanputoursafetyindangeranactiveshooter,
aderangedcoworker,orevenaninattentivedriver.Oftentimeswedontnoticethethreatuntilitstoo
latebecauseweresoengrossedinourownheadspace.Inthetacticalworld,itsoftensaidthatthebest
waytowinafightistoavoidafightinthefirstplace.Todothat,youneedtodevelopyoursituational
awareness.Situationalawarenessisntjustknowingwhatsgoingonaroundyou,italsomeanshavinga
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awareness.Situationalawarenessisntjustknowingwhatsgoingonaroundyou,italsomeanshavinga
planforwhattodowhenyounoticesomethinggoawry.

38.DoaProperPullUp

Thepullupisoneofthebestupperbodyexercisesoutthere,butmostpeopledontevenknowhowto
dooneproperly.Grabthebarwithanoverhandgripandstartfromadeadhang.Pullyourselfupuntil
yourchinclearsthebar.Loweryourselfdowninacontrolledmannerandrepeat.Noneofthatkipping
garbage.

39.BuildaShelter
Inanykindofsurvivalscenario,propershelterwillprovidemuchneededprotectionfromtheelements.
Withsomebasicmaterials(wood,reflectiveblankets,fire),andjustalittlebitofknowhow,youcan
ensurethatyoullnotonlysurviveanight(ormore),butevensleepwarmly.

40.GrowYourOwnFood

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Growingyourownfoodisnotonlyapleasurable,recreationalactivity,butgoestowardsbuildingyour
selfrelianceandantifragilityaswell.Todaysfoodstuffsareloadedwithunpronounceablechemicalsand
additives,andwhole,naturalfoodsremainexpensive.Whynotgrowyourownfruitsandvegetablesfora
fractionofthecost,andtwicetheflavor?Needevenmorereasonstostartagarden?Hereareseven.

41.CookEggs
Eggsareabreakfaststapleiffornootherreasonthantheirsheerversatility.Theycanbeenjoyedon
sandwiches,inscrambles,asomelets,oreatenrightoutoftheshell(raworcooked!).Ifyoucanmastera
fewwaystocookeggs,youllbeabreakfastaficionadowhowillwowyoursignificantother,oryour
kids,dependingonyourstationinlife.Yourprimaryvarietiesscrambled,fried,poached,andhard
boiledarealleasilylearnedinjustafewminutes.

42.MakeSmallTalk

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Whenyouspotanacquaintanceinastore,doyouhopetheydontseeyou?Doestheideaofwalkinginto
apartywhereyouonlyknowonepersonfillyouwithdread?Doyoukeeptryingtosummonupthe
couragetotalktothecutegirlwhomakesyourlattesatthelocalcoffeeshop,butwheneveryougetupto
thecounter,allyoucanmusterisyourorder?Allofuscanrelateinsomewayoranothertothe
conundrumofsmalltalk.Itssometimesuncomfortable,butcanbetrulylifechangingyouneverknow
ifthepersonyourestandingacrossfromcouldendupbeingagoodfriend,acoworker,orevenawife.

43.IdentifyPoisonous&EdiblePlants
Astrollinthewoodsisnearlyalwaysanenjoyableendeavorwhatsnotsoenjoyableisdiscoveringa
red,itchyrashthenextday.Eachyear,millionsofAmericanscomeincontactwithpoisonivy,poison
oak,orpoisonsumac.Thesemaybethemostcommonirritants,butarefarfromtheonlyones.Besides
beingabletoidentifyplantsthatcanharmyou,itsalsobeneficialtoknowtheplantsthatcouldsave
yourlifeinadiresituation.Knowingyourfoliagebothgoodandbadistrulyaskilleveryman
shouldhave!

44.DoaFrontDive

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Muchlikeswimming,knowinghowtoproperlydiveisnotonlyjustafunskilltohave,butcouldhelp
saveyourlife.Inascenariowhereyouneedtoskedaddleintothewaterquickly,suchasasinkingboat,
thediveisthewaytogo.Itpropelsyouwithajumpstartofmomentumratherthanhavingtogetgoing
fromthestandstilloftreadingwater.

45.ShuffleCards
Itsalwayssurprisingwhenyoureplayingacardgame,rotatingtheshufflingofcourse,andoneofthe
playershastosheepishlypassthedeckbecausetheydontknowthissimple,manlyskill.Ifyoure
playingcardsbeitpoker,euchre,ginrummyyoushouldbeabletodoyourpartandshufflethe
deck,anddoitwithsomeflairtoo!

46.Hunt

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Inthebook,TheHuntingHypothesis,authorRobertArdreyhighlightstheresearchandtheoriesthat
suggestthatwhatmadehumanshumanwastheabilitytohunt.Sinceourhuntergatherertimes,hunting
hasalwaysfallenonmen.Ardreysuggeststhathuntingishowmenhavedisplayednurturingandcaring
behaviorsincetimeimmemorial.Besidesallowingyoutoconnectwithourprimalhistory,knowinghow
tohuntwillallowyoutoprovideforyourselfandyourfamilyevenifyoudonthaveaccesstoagrocery
store.Infact,youcouldprovideafullyearofmeatforyourfamilyduringasinglehuntingseason.Kiss
yourmeatexpensesgoodbye.

47.ProperlyPourBeer
Doesitreallymatterhowyoupouryourbeer?Isntbeer,beer,nomatterhowitspoured?Well,thatmay
bethecaseifyouredrinkinglowqualitybeer(Iwontnamenames),butwhendrinkingafinebrew,it
canmeanaworldofdifference.Whenproperlypoured,thebeerproducesaromasandflavorsthatcan
onlybepresentattherightconditions,andwiththeagitationofaproperpour.

48.PerformtheFiremansCarry

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Evenifyouhavethephysicalstrengthtosavesomeoneslifebycarryingthemtosafety,doyouknowthe
rightwaytodoit?Everymanshouldknowhowtoperformwhatiscalledthefiremanscarry.Itsan
effectivewaytodistributesomeonesweight,allowingyoutohaulthemoverlongdistanceswith
minimalstrain.Nexttimeyouhavetocarryaninjuredvictimfromaburningbuilding,downahiking
trail,oroffthebattlefield,employthefiremanscarry.

49.OpenaBottleWithoutanOpener
Youvearrivedatthecampsitewithyourfriendsandsomecoldbeerinthecooler,onlytorealizeyouleft
thebottleopenerathome.Luckyforyou,thatsnoproblemyoureamasterofimprovisation.Weput
together9MacGyveresquetrickstoopenabottlewheneveryoufindyourselfwithoutanopener.Youll
neverbelefthighanddryagain.

50.CastaFishingLine

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Fishinghasbeenaskillthatfathershavepasseddowntosonssincetimeimmemorial.Itsnotonlyafun
andrelaxingwaytospendamorningorafternoon,buthearkensbacktoourcavemanandcavesondays,
whenfishingwasmorethanjustapastime,butasurvivalskill.Andoneofthefirststepstolearning
fishing?Knowinghowtocastaline.

51.SpeakaForeignLanguage
Travelingtheworldcanbequiteanadventure,butyoucannevertrulyimmerseyourselfintheplaces
youvisitunlessyouspeakthepeoplesnativetongue.Speakingasecond(orthird)languageallowsyou
toconnectwithlocalsandexperiencemoreofwhatliesbelowthesurfaceavailableonlytothepassing
tourist.Speakinganotherlanguagemayalsohelpyouinyourbusiness,sharpenyourbrain,andevenaid
youinatacticalsituationJamesBondwasfluentin4differentlanguages,andhandyin4others,after
all.

52.DriveinSnow

Evenifyougrewupdoingit,drivinginthesnowisabitofaharrowingtask.Thesunisglaringoffthe
purewhitelandscape,blackicethreatensateverycurveandunderpass,andyouarentquitesureyou
havetheskillstohandleawipeout.Whendrivinginthewinter,justrememberthatslowandsteadywins
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havetheskillstohandleawipeout.Whendrivinginthewinter,justrememberthatslowandsteadywins
therace(althoughyoureallyshouldntberacingonasnowyroad!).

53.PerformtheHeimlichManeuver
EventhoughyouveprobablyheardoftheHeimlichmaneuvercountlesstimes,andseenitdramatized
justasmany,alotoffolksreallydontknowexactlywhattodobeyondputtingtheirarmsaroundthe
personandsqueezingsomehow.BecausetheabdominalthrustsnecessitatedbytheHeimlichmaneuver
cancauseinjury,itshouldbeemployedonlyasalastresort,afterothertechniques,likeencouragingthe
vicimtocoughandslappingthemontheback,havebeentried.Butshouldyouneedtoreachforthis
technique,yououghttobeabletoperformiteffectively.

54.AskaWomanonaDate

Manlinessistoooftenrankedbyhowmanyrandomwomenadudecanbed.Butoneofthethingsthat
separatesmanfromthebeastsistheabilityanddesiretofocushisromanticenergiesononewomanata
time.Beingaloverandromancerissomethingthatmakesushuman,ratherthanjustanothermammalon
theDiscoveryChannel.Andthereisnobettertoolintheromanticmansarsenalthanthedate.Thedates
structureallowsamantoshowoffhisabilitytowooalady.Unfortunately,fewmenhavebeentakingon
thechallengeofbeingartfulpursuersthesedays,asourdatingabilitieshavebecomeinfectedwiththe 26/48
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thechallengeofbeingartfulpursuersthesedays,asourdatingabilitieshavebecomeinfectedwiththe
plagueofhangingout.Dontbethatman.Girdupyourloins,andaskawomanout!

55.AlwaysKnowNorth
Amanalwaysknowshisdirection,beitphilosophicallyinlifeorphysicallyontheroad.Hecanfind
Northwithoutadigitalaid.Acompassistheeasiestandsurestwaytodothis,ofcourse,butthereare
othermethodsaswell,includingusingananalogwatch,sticksandshadows,theconstellationsinthe
nightsky,andthemossgrowingontreesandrocks.ButeachofthesemethodsoffindingNorthinvolvea
gooddealofknowhowandnuance,soitsdefinitelyaskillyoullneedtomasterbeforeyoureallyneed
it.

56.FellaTree

Soyouknowhowtosplitwood,buthowdoyougetthoselogsinthefirstplace?Youcouldbuythem,
butthatslame.No,youneedtogoouttothewoodsandfellyourowntree.Itsadangeroustaskifyou
dontknowwhatyouredoing,butboyisitagreatfeelingtohearatreefallontheforestfloorwithan
echoingTHUMP!EndyourdayfellingtreeswithalargeplateofpancakessmotheredwithVermont
maplesyrup.
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57.Hitch/BackUpaTrailer
SoyouvedecidedtoborrowaboatforaweekendoffishingormaybeyouregoingtorentanAirstream
forthatdreamroadtripacrossAmerica.Awesome.Doyouknowhowtohitchtheboattrailerandthe
Airstreamtoyourvehicle?Onceyougetithitchedtoyourcar,doyouknowhowtobackupatrailer
withoutdestroyingthepropertyaroundyou?Knowinghowtohitchandbackupatrailerwillopena
wholeworldofoutdoorrecreationopportunitiesforyou,sogetoutthereandstartlearning.

58.PlayPoker

Ifyouveneverplayedpokerbefore,goingtoacasinoforabachelorpartyorafriendshousefora
casualpokernightcanbeanintimidatingaffair.Therulesofthegameitselfarehardenoughtomaster
(Doesmytwopairbeatyourthreeofakind?Answer:noitdoesnot.),butyoualsohavetoknowbetting
rulesandgameetiquette.Thankfully,withjustafewstrategiesupyoursleeve,itwonttakelongtonot
feellikeanewbanymore.

59.WriteinCursive
Inourageoftexts,tweets,andemails,onethingthatcansetyouapartfromthecrowdissendinganice,
handwrittenlettereverynowandthen.Tosetyourselfapartfromthepackevenmore,writeyourletter
incursive.Itjustlooksclassyandaddsabitofpersonalitytoyournotes.Anddontjustsaveitforletters.
Thecontinuousstrokesofcursivemakejournalingamoremeditativeexperience.

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Thecontinuousstrokesofcursivemakejournalingamoremeditativeexperience.

60.ThrowaKnockoutPunch

Avoidafightifyoucan,butiftheresnootheroption,enditasquicklyaspossiblebythrowinga
knockoutblow.Openyouropponentupwithhighjabsandafewfakesoncehedropshisguard,senda
powerfulstraightpunchrighttohiskisser.Lightsout.

61.MakePancakesFromScratch
Whileeggsareabreakfaststaplebecauseoftheireaseandversatility,pancakesareafanfavoritebecause
oftheirsimplydelightfulnature.Theyrefluffy,warm,andcoveredinanynumberoftastytoppings:
butter,syrup,peanutbutter,fruit,whippedcream.Itdoesntgetmuchbetterthanatallstackofpancakes
tostartalazyweekendwithyourfamily.Knowinghowmakepancakesfromscratchwillmakeyoua
Saturdaymorninghero.

62.SkipperaBoat
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Oneofmansgreatpowersisthatheisanamphibiouscreature,abletobothtraversethelandand
navigatethewater.Notonlyshouldyoubeabletomovethroughwaterbyyourownmanpower,you
shouldbeabletoskimitssurfacebyknowinghowtopilotaboatandnotjustthosethatinvolvea
motorandsteeringwheel.Fromtyingnauticalknots,keepingtheboatbalanced,andtrimmingthesails,
everymanshouldknowhowtoskippertraditionalseacraft.

63.DressFortheOccasion
Blacktie.Semiformal.Businesscasual.Doyoufindyourselfaskingwhattheheckthesetermsmean
anytimeyouseethemonaneventinvitation?Withjustalittlebitofstudyandpractice,youllcometo
automaticallyknowthedifferencesforinstance,thatbusinesscasualmeansasportscoatandkhakis
(orevenjeans,dependingonwhereyoulive).Youneverwanttobetheguywhoworeslacksanda
buttonuptoasemiformalevent.

64.ShootaBowandArrow

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FromoursurvivalguruCreekStewart:Iamabigfanofthebowandarrowforavarietyofreasons,and
Ipersonallythinkthatanyonewhohasaninterestinprimitivesurvivalskillsormodernurbansurvival
shouldseriouslyconsiderpurchasingagoodbowandarrowandbecomeproficientinusingit.The
weaponsportability,versatility,andaffordability(youcanevencraftyourown)makeitatopchoicefor
huntersandsurvivalists.

65.DriveStickShift
Drivinganautomaticvehicleissopedestrian.Withastickshift,youactuallyfeellikeyourepartofyour
car.Thesynchronicityofmanandmachinemakesdrivingamanualtransmissioncarnotjustachore,but
ajoy.Plus,owningamanualmakesyourvehicleprettymuchtheftproofitssuchalostskillthatmost
wouldbethieveswouldntknowhowtodriveawaywithyourcareveniftheymanagedtobreakin.

66.DoaProperPushUp

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Whenyoudonthaveaccesstoagym,theresalwayspushups.Theyworkyourchest,shoulders,triceps,
andbiceps.Evenifyoudohaveaccesstoagym,makepushupspartofyourroutinethroughouttheday.
An85yearoldattorneyIknewcreditedhisrandompushupworkoutsinhisofficeasthekeytohis
longevityandhealth.

67.PickaLock
Kickingdownadoorisagreatskilltohave,butsometimesyouneedtobeabitmorediscreetwhen
openingadoorthatslocked.Whowantstoreplacetheirdooreverytimetheylockthemselvesoutof
theirhouse?Thatswherelockpickingcomesin.Besidesmakingyouhandy,andsavingyoumoneyon
replacementdoorsorcallingalocksmith,thisskillalsomakesyoufeelabitlikeJasonBourne.

68.MixTwoClassicCocktails

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Ifyoureoutonthetownwithyourmainsqueeze,youcanlooktospendanywherefrom$8to$20ona
nicecocktail.Thatsalotofscratchforabeverage,especiallywhenyoucanbemakingonesathomethat
tastejustasgood(ifnotbetter!)forafractionofthecost.Andratherthanbeingaonetrickpony,
knowinghowtomakeatleasttwodifferentdrinkswillmakeyoufeellikearealmixologist,andimpress
yourgueststoo.LearnhowtomakeclassicslikethemartiniandtheManhattanbonuspointsifyoucan
mixupsomeinterestingdrinksforyourteetotalingfriendstoo.

69.FieldDressGame
Whetheryouhuntregularlytostockyourfreezerwithmeatoryourestuckinthewildandneedtoeata
squirreltosurvive,youllneedtoknowhowtodressyourkillsothatitsreadyforbutcheringandeating.
Ifyoudontknowanythingaboutdressinggame,startwithasmallanimallikeasquirrelorarabbit.Its
lessmessy,andthesamegeneralprinciplesthatyouusewiththoseanimalsapplytolargergamelike
deer.

70.PlayOneSongontheGuitar

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Theguitarhasawayofshowingupatpartiesandcampfires,anditoftengetspassedaroundsopeople
whoknowhowtoplaycanstrumoutsometuneswhileeveryonesingsalong.Insteadofpassingitonto
thenextdude,whynotholdontoitandbustoutasongofyourown?Gettingagroupofpeopletosinga
songwhileyouprovidetheaccompanimentisaneasywaytocommandaroomlikeaman.Also,chicks
digadudewhocanplaytheguitar.

71.UseaChainsawSafely
Theaftermathofaheavythunderstormoricestormoftenleavesbrokenandfallenbranchesinyouryard.
Tocleanthemup,youllneedtocutthemwithachainsaw.Learnhowtooperateonesafelysoyoudont
accidentallycutoffoneofyourlimbsintheprocess.

72.DoaSquatProperly

Youdontneedabunchoflegmachinestogetagoodlowerbodyworkoutjustabarbellwithsome
plateswilldo.Squatsareoneofthebestexercisesyoucandoforoverallstrength.Notonlydotheywork
yourquadsandhamstrings,butalsoyourhips,butt,back,andcore.Therearetwovariationsofthe
barbellsquat:highbar(picturedabove)andlowbar.Learnthemboth.Theyemphasizedifferentmuscles
andcanbeusedindifferentstrengthtrainingroutines.

73.CookaSteak

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Thebeautyofawellcookedsteakisinitssimplicity.Nofancyseasonings,justabitofsaltandpepper
andfire.Knowhowtocookasteakandyoucaneatlikeakingtherestofyourlife.

74.EntertainYourself(WithoutaSmartphone)

Youseeiteverywhere:peopleontheirsmartphoneswhilestandinginline,whilegettinggas,when
conversationlullsatdinneranytimepeoplearentstimulatedfor10secondsorlonger,outcomesthe
phone.Notonlyisitrudeinmanyinstances,itmeansyouretetheredtoyourlittleelectronicdevicefor
entertainment.Learnhowtopassthetimewithoutyourphoneplayboardgames,dopushupsduring
commercialbreaks,makeapaperairplane,workoutaphilosophicalprobleminyourhead,orturn
aboringconversationintoastimulatingonebyactuallylisteningintently,showingsomecuriosity,and
askinggoodquestions.Heck,learntoenjoytheoldpastimeofpeoplewatching.Beingabletoentertain
yourselfissurelyoneofthe3characteristicsofaneducatedman.

75.ChangeYourCarsOil
Knowinghowtochangeyourownoilcansaveyoutimeandmoney.Insteadofdriving10minutestothe
KwikLube,waitinganother30minutesbeforeyourcarcangetworkedon,waitinganother15minutes 35/48
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KwikLube,waitinganother30minutesbeforeyourcarcangetworkedon,waitinganother15minutes
whiletheoilchangeactuallytakesplace,andthendrivinganother10minutesbackhome,justgetthejob
doneinhalfanhourbydoingitinyourgarage.Besidessavingyoutimeandmoney,changingyourown
oiljustfeelsselfsufficientanddarnmanly.

76.WhistleWithYourFingers

Withaloud,commandingwhistleyoucancallyourdog,yourkids,ataxi,orthepeanutsguyatthe
ballpark.Usingyourfingersmakesiteasytogetthatearpiercingwhistlesoundwheneveryouwantit.
Thisisasmallskill,butaweirdlysatisfyingonetomaster.

77.ShovelSnow
Snowshovelingisoftenabackbreaking,tiresomeprocess.Youcouldbemovinghundredsofcubicfeet
ofthefluffy(ornotsofluffy)whitestuff.Itsgenerallynotaparticularlyfunactivity,althoughitisan
excellentworkoutandafineopportunitytofillyourlungswithcrisp,cleanair.Whilethoseincolder
environsarepracticallybornknowingthisskill,othersmayneedacouplequickpointerstoensurethe
bestandmostefficientjobpossible.
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78.CarveaTurkey

Primitivehuntersoftendressedandbutcheredtheirgameinthefield,inordertodivideupthecarcass
amongthehuntingpartyandmakeiteasierforcarryingbackhome.Maybetheechoesofthistaskis
whycarvingtheThanksgivingturkeytypicallyfallsuponthemaninahouseholdinourmodernday.
Whenyougetcalleduptocarvethebird,youwanttobereadywithskillandknowhowthatwillallow
youtogetasmuchmeataspossiblefromtheturkeywithoutmutilatingit.Takeprideintheartfullysliced
platterofjuicyturkeyyouassembleforyourguests.

79.TieaBowline
Thebowlineisaloopknotthatisincrediblysecure.Consequently,itsoftenusedinrescuesituationsin
whichyouneedtopullsomeoneoutofaditchorravine.Youcanalsouseittotieofftheboattoyour
dock.Onceyoumastertyingthebowlinewithbothhands,earnbonusmanpointsbylearninghowtotie
itwithonehand.

80.RideaHorse
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Sure,inthismotorizedworld,knowinghowtorideahorsemaybethemostarchaicskillonthislist.
ButIllbedarnedifitsnotalsooneofthemostsatisfying.Manyagreatmanfromhistoryused
horsebackridingasawaytodecompressThomasJefferson,TeddyRoosevelt,JackLondon.Itsimply
feelswonderfultomountupandheadtowardsthehorizon.Also,ifAmericancinemaiscorrectaboutthe
apocalypse,horseswillonceagainbetheprimarymodeoftransportationoneday.Sodontscoff
knowhowtosaddleup!

81.GiveaGoodMassage
Whilethedateistheultimatetoolinthegentlemansromanticarsenal,youneedotherskillsaswellto
impressyourgal(includingmanyonthislist!).Amongthem,knowinghowtogiveagoodmassage
andjustforhersakeratherthaninhopesofsexisanimportantone.Shellfeellovedandcaredfor,
whichistheultimatewaytoaffairproofyourrelationship.

82.GetaCarUnstuck

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Therearealotofthingsyourcarcangetstuckin:mud,snow,evenaditch.Whileeverysituationis
different,therearesomeprinciplesyoucanfollowthatmayhelpyoubecomeunstuckwithoutneedingto
callforatow.Knowingthemcouldsaveyouthousandsofdollarsintowingfees,andmaybeanecessity
inruralareasthatdonthavecellphonereception.

83.BreakaRackofPoolBalls
SoyouvewatchedTheHustleroneofthebestmoviesofalltimeandyoureinspiredtohead
downtoyourlocalpoolhallforsomebilliardsaction.Yougrabacue,lineituptobreaktherack,and
insteadofhittingitperfectlylikeyoudidinyourdaydreams,youshankthecueballfortheultimate
whiff,andtherackisstillintact.Breakingtherackisyourbilliardsfirstimpressionithasthepotential
tointimidatefoesandimpressbuddies.Dontblowit.

84.MakeaLogicalArgument

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Intheageoftheinternet,itseemsthatlogicalargumentshavegonethewayofthedodo.Debates,
whetherinonlinecommentsectionsoronTV,arenotmuchmorethannamecallingmatchesinwhich
whoevershoutstheloudestwins.Debatesandargumentsshouldbecivilaffairs,though,thatavoid
logicalfallaciesandemploysoundreasoning.Learningthisskillbuildsyourpowersofpersuasion,puts
youalegupinourmodernworld,andallowsyoutostandoutasarealgentleman.Foritsnotthe
volumeofyourvoicethatsignifiesamasterfuldebaterandskilledrhetorician,butthecontentofyour
words.

85.CookBacon
Nothingtastesbetteronacoldwintermorningthansomeporkbacon(turkeybaconisnotbacon)friedin
acastironskillet.Youdontwantbacontoosoftortoocrispy.Gettingthatjustrighttexturetakes
patienceandskill(andmaybeevenditchingthatskilletfortheoven).Addmanpointsforfryingbacon
shirtlessandbravingthosehotkissesofgrease.

86.WriteaLetter

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AtAoMweregreatchampionsofthelostartofletterwriting.Emails,texting,andthewidevarietyof
otherdigitalmediumsavailabletousinthemodernageareconvenientandefficient,buttheycantholda
candletothewarm,tangible,classynatureofhandwrittencorrespondence.Lettersarethenextbestthing
toshowinguppersonallyatsomeonesdoor.Andtheirpermanenceisunrivaledlongafterweve
forgottenthepasswordtoourhotmailaccount,ourshoeboxofletterswillremain.Writetoapenpal
writeregularthankyounoteswritelettersofemotionalinsurancetoyourchildrenandbesureto
writeall7oftheselettersbeforeyouturn70.

87.ShootaGun
Aguncanprovidefood,protection,andevenanafternoonoffun.Itsanextremelyusefultool,buta
dangerousone.Youneedtoknowhowtosafelyoperatedifferenttypesoffirearms(pistols,shotguns,
rifles)withoutunintentionallyinjuringthosearoundyouoryourself.Evenifyoudonthaveplanson
becomingaGunGuy,atleasthaveabasicunderstandingofhowfirearmsworkincaseyouevercome
acrossoneinthewild,orneedtouseonetosaveyourlife.

88.MakeaToast

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YoudontwanttobetheBestManthatsrememberedforgivinganutterlycringeworthytoastatyour
buddyswedding.Andbesidesweddings,youlllikelyhaveseveralopportunitiestoprovide
toaststhroughoutyourlife.Withabitofforethoughtandpracticeinfrontofthemirror,yourtoastscan
soundnatural,inspiring,andmemorable(inagoodway).

89.JumpStartaCar
Ithappenstoeveryone.Somehowthedomelightinyourcargotleftonwhileyouwereintheofficeand
nowyourcarsbatteryisdead.InsteadofcallingAAAtogetthecargoingforyou,jumpstartityourself.
Itwillsaveyoutimeandmoney.Plusitsaskillthatwillmakeyouincrediblyusefultoothers.Youdbe
surprisedbyhowmanypeopledontknowhowtojumpstartacar.

90.KnowHowtoDance

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Nothingimpressesawomanmorethanamanwhoknowshowtodance.AndbydanceImeanballroom
dancingwhereyouleadagalacrossthedancefloor.Noneofthatnaenaenonsense.Basicballroom
dancingisntthathard.Startoffwiththewaltzandfoxtrotandyoullbegoodformostweddingsand
cruises.

91.BrewthePerfectCupofCoffee
Sure,youcanplopsomeFolgersintoafilterandhittheBrewbuttononyourcoffeemachine.But
thatslikegoingtoWalmarttobuyasuit.Youjustarentgettingthebestproduct.Grindingyourbeans,
boilingyourwater,andbrewingtheminaFrenchpresstrulycreatestheperfectcupofcoffee,andalso
addsanelementofcraftsmanshiptoyourmorningroutine.Youcantryroastingyourownbeans,aswell
assomeothertacticstolevelupyourmorningcoffeegame.

92.TieaTourniquet

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Foralongtime,tyingtourniquetswasafrowneduponmethodforcontrollingmajorbleeding
somethingtobeemployedasanabsolutelastresort.Thatsbecauseduringthewarsofthe20thcentury,
whenitoftentookalongtimeforawoundedsolidertogetmedicalattention,thetourniquetwouldend
upcuttingoffthebloodsupplyfortoolong,necessitatingamputations.ButthewarsinIraqand
Afghanistanshowedthattourniquets,coupledwithspeedymedicalattention,couldbeabsolutelife
savers,andthustheirusehasbeenrevivedincombatandcivilianmedicinealike.Youstillneedtoknow
whenandhowtoproperlytieatourniquetthough,sostudyupandthendoamplehandsonpractice.

93.KnowTwoCoolUncleTricks
Anessentialpartofbeinganawesomeuncleishavingarepertoireoftricksandjokesthatwillamaze
yourniecesandnephews,andcrackthemup.Fromjugglingandpullingcoinsfromears,tolevitating
andbouncingdinnerrollsonthefloor,everyuncleshouldhaveatleasttwogiggleinducingtricksup
hissleeve.

94.FilletaFish

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Whatmakesfishingevenmoresatisfyingisbeingabletofilletandcookyourcatchforarealwaterto
tableexperience.Throwitinaskilletwithsomegarlic,lemon,andbutter,fryitoverthecampfireyouve
built,andenjoyawilddinnerunderthestars.

95.CalmaCryingBaby
Whetheryourbabyhascolicorjustintermittentfussiness,theircriescanreallydoanumberonyour
equilibrium.Sincebabiescantdoanythingforthemselves,theircriesaredesignedbynaturetogetyour
attention,burrowingintoyourbrainandrefusingtoletgountilyoualleviatetheirdistress.Theirwails
elicitarealphysiologicalresponseyoustarttosweat,yourheartrategoesup,andyourbodyreleases
cortisol(thestresshormone).Soitsnosurprisethatknowinghowtocalmacryingbabyisoneofthe
mostimportantnewdadtoolsyoucanhaveinyourarsenal!

96.RideaMotorcycle

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Motorcyclesareoneofthepinnaclesofmanliness.TheyreuptherewithIslaysinglemalt,grassfed
sirloin,andCreedsGreenIrishTweedaftershave.Why?Becauseunlikeautomobiles,theyoffera
visceralexperience:onethatrequiresskill,mentalengagement,andriskmanagement.Onamotorcycle,
youcantsipcoffee,fiddlewithyourphone,ordaydreamtheminutesaway.Yoursensesareonredalert,
andyourlifedependsontwotinypatchesofrubberconnectingyoutotheroad.Ridingamotorcycleis
anexperienceeverymanshouldhaveinhislife.

97.HammeraNailCorrectly
Totheunskilled,hammeringjustmeanspoundingthehelloutofsomethinguntilyougetthejobdone.
Sure,youcoulddothat,butyoullendupwithcrummyresultsandatiredarmtoboot.Awisehandyman
knowshowtouseahammersafely,effectively,andefficiently.

98.CookaSignatureDish

Cookingcultivatesavarietyofmanlyqualities,fromselfreliancetochivalry.Sowhileyouneednot
becomea5starchef,atacertainpointeverymanneedstomoveonfromtheEasyMac,ramen,and
frozenpizzahesubsistedonincollege.Knowingyourwayaroundthekitchencanbeintimidatingat
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frozenpizzahesubsistedonincollege.Knowingyourwayaroundthekitchencanbeintimidatingat
first,butevenwithjustasinglepotyoucanmakesometastymealsthatwillimpressfriends,family,and
ladiesalike.Onceyouvemasteredsomebasics,youcanworkoncreatingasignaturedishthatyou
perfectandwhipuponspecialoccasions.

99.MakeFireWithoutMatches
Itseasytostartafirewhenyouhaveapackofmatchesatyourdisposal.Butcouldyouforgeaflameif
youdidnthavethatcrutch?Orwouldyoustarveandfreeze?Therearemanywaystomakefiresans
matches,fromusingabatteryormagnifyingglasstogoingtotallyprimalandusingonlyaboardanda
stick.Learnasmanymethodsasyoucan,sothatifyoueverfindyourselfaloneonadesertisland,you
candeclaretoyourvolleyballfriend:Ihavemadefire!

100.TellaStory

Everymanneedstobeabletotellagreatstory.Itmightbeforapresentationyougiveatwork.Orfora
paperyouneedtowrite.Maybeyourejusthangingoutwithyourbuddiesswappingstories.Oryoure
tuckingyourkidsintobed,andanighttimetaleisdemanded.Nomatterthescenario,ittakesacertain
amountofskilltotellastoryinawaythatcaptivatesanaudience.
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Themostimportantpartofstorytellingthough,issimplyhavingtheexperiencesthatmakeforgood
tales.Whatstoriesofyourlifewillyouhavetotellyourgrandkids?Startmakingthosememoriesnowby
learningasmanyoftheseskillsasyoucan.Themoreknowhowyougain,themoreplacesyoucango,
thingsyoucando,andpeopleyoucanconversewithinshort,themoreskillsyoumaster,themore
adventuresyoucanhave!
Howmanyoftheseskillshaveyoualreadymastered?Whichonesdoyouhopetolearn?Whatskills
doyouthinkweleftoffthelist,orshouldneverhavebeenputon?Besuretoletusknow!
AoMTeam
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