How to be a "Man"

[Warrior1214]

Re: How to be a "Man"

You will learn to handle tools putting together desks or book cases. I was once hired in an office job at a start-up company. The boss asked me to help with putting together some of the office desks and cabinets. I had to tell him I just wasn't good at that stuff. Well, he told me to do it anyway, and I really got the hang of working with tools.

But I will confess that if I get a flat tire, I am still calling AAA, the jack worries me as well.

[jeremym480]

Re: How to be a "Man"

I just turned 32, I fix a tire (learned as a teenager), change my own oil (although, it's almost just as cheap to get it done at Wal Mart so I haven't changed my own in probably 15 years) and tie a tie (had a job in my late 20s where I had to wear a tie, so I taught myself my watching You Tube).

However, when it comes to anything beyond that (like fixing something in and around the house), then I prefer just to pay a professional. I've tried repairing stuff myself by looking up video's, but most of the time I end up messing it up more.

[Stu]

Re: How to be a "Man"

Like others have said just go to youtube. You can find instructional videos for pretty much everything on there. I have absolutely no mechanical experience and/or expertise and I was able to replace a friction wheel on my snowblower and clean/rebuild the carburetor on my riding mower just from watching youtube videos.

[ryan36]

You will be amazed how many men don't know how to tie a tie.

I had to use a diy guide 11 years ago to learn. And I still don't know how to put the dimple in the not.

You tube and googling will teach you anything. Although, trying to learn how to iron was hard. I just fluff in dryer.

[slickdtc]

Re: How to be a "Man"

I'm with the other guys, I'm clueless when it comes to cars and other handyman stuff. My Dad can fix most stuff, he changes his own oil and seems to know what's going on when our cars have a problem, but I've just never learned or if I did, didn't retain it. It does bug me a bit, I wanna know these things, but they're occasional occurrences. I don't really want to go to a class to find out how to do them.

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: How to be a "Man"

I had to use a diy guide 11 years ago to learn. And I still don't know how to put the dimple in the not.

You tube and googling will teach you anything. Although, trying to learn how to iron was hard. I just fluff in dryer.

Ironing is a bitch. YouTube videos can only do so much. The concept of ironing is easy, its the damn shirt that gets in the way.

Tying a tie is a easy if you have to do it everyday. I've gotten pretty good at the single knot (windsor?) and am even able to get the dimple centered on a lot of ocassions. What I do is put my index finger at the top middle so when I pull my tie to make it longer, it dimples underneath my finger.

I haven't been able to change my oil since I bought my car in 2005. The way they make these cars now, you basically have to take it serviced somewhere or be lucky enough to have a full mechanic's garage at home. I would love to be able to take care of my car myself, but I can barely see my filter, much less being able to reach it.

While I may not be the first person to fix the washer or leaky faucet, I'm pretty handy with tools and putting things together (not from scratch).

[Chef Matt]

Re: How to be a "Man"

I was pretty fortunate, my dad's a truck driver, and a furniture mover at that. I spent most of my summers on the road with him so I had a lot of tool and manual labor type training. Putting things together, fixing different things.

We never did much with cars though as he wasn't the most handy with them, except for the basics, changing tires, lights, etc..but the more experienced stuff I've learned from Haynes/Chilton Auto Repair manuals. Each car I've bought I got the respective Haynes or Chilton repair manuals. It's saved my thousands in car repair costs.

As for ironing, and other stuff like that, I learned that stuff in the Marine Corps.

And Scoob, it doesn't take knowing how to change a car tire to be a man though. Don't ever forget that.

[NDAlum]

Re: How to be a "Man"

After reading this thread I need to call my dad and thank him for taking the time to teach me a ton of handyman tasks. Growing up I used to be so pissed having to help him work on cars, do electric, woodworking etc. I can see now I have taken this for granted because I do all these tasks like it was natural! As people have mentioned they are not things that define you as a man but they are nice skills to have to help you deal with everyday life situations that come up.

I absolutely wish I had that.

Let's face it, most guys are going to do physical tasks. How many female contractors have you come across?

Personally I can't think of any

I see no fault in wanting to be able to fix things around the house to provide for your family. I'm in the same boat. Right now I'm youtubing how to tear up flooring to put some tile down.

I see nothing wrong with wanting to learn life skills to provide for your family.

[Jonesy]

Re: How to be a "Man"

Lol Scooby I could have written that first post word for word, I feel your pain.

I was was raised by a single mother and only have very basic skills. I can change a tire and do some of the other basic things but that's about it.

What makes it worse is that my father-in-law is a tough as nails builder with 40 years experience and my two brother in law's are both mechanics and diesel fitters and I'm the only one of us that doesn't have a manual job. They are all very good about it and always say things like they wished they could do what I do etc but I still feel hopeless when they are standing around talking about stuff that I have absolutely no concept of.

I don't think it's necessarily that I'm worried about having to conform to some archaic society's view of "manhood" like Johhny said. I think it's just I would like to be able see something that is broken and fix it myself without having to call a repair man or my father-in-law. I don't think I'm a bad father because of these lack of skills and I make more money using my mind then I ever would using my hands but I gotta admit there is a sense of self-satisfaction you get from doing a manual type job and getting it done yourself.

[ImTellinTim]

Re: How to be a "Man"

Get to know a hill billy. Those guys can pretty much fix anything car related or mechanical, some even delve into things like furnaces and airconditiong. They can teach you how to fish and live off the land too. They are usually pretty loyal friends too.

AKA Yoopers.

[KingV2k3]

Re: How to be a "Man"

I pretty much pay someone to do just about everything...

Seriously...

I decided early on that it was less important to be "a man" as it was to be "The Man"...

Oh, and I'm a great tipper...

[kingkilla56]

Re: How to be a "Man"

If all else fails, just ask Mike Gundy. He's a man, he's 40.



PS: I'm in the same boat, but many folk dont know how to change a tire in NYC. We do know how much bus fare is though. (Way too much)

[jack1535]

Only important thing to know is how to tie a bow tie.

Men who can tie bow ties, but can't change tires > men who can change tires, but can't tie bow ties

[Vikes1]

Re: How to be a "Man"

I can sure relate to this topic....

My father [God rest his beautiful soul] was a near mechanical genius. He was an aviation mechanic, and steam engineer...and those were merely just the highlights. He just simply had a mechanical mind for things. But his talents also came with years of hard work and study. He studied on his own to pass his steam engineer tests, at age 60. Yeah...I had a lot to live up to...and never have.

Through the years, I've picked up at least a little mechanical know how. But certainly nothing to brag about. As I've gotten older, it's a bit easier now to deal with the fact I'll never be like my dad in that way. But I have learned through the years that being a "Man", has a lot more to do with how you live your life, and how you live up to your responsibilities. Than being good with a wrench.

What made my father so wonderful is...he understood this too. And lived his life accordingly. I love and miss you dad.

[TheShizNo1]

I didn't read any responses, just the first post. I was raised by a single mother and missed out on the things like dad teaching me how to shave or throwing me a pass. What I've learned, know what you're good at and know what your bad at.

The things your bad at, don't be afraid to ask. I'm no mechanic and can be swindled. I have buddies that know cars like the back of their hands. I talk to them and get advice from them. The things you do well, fine tube them.

There is no blueprint to being a "man". I could grab everyone that posted in here. We all come from different backgrounds, and are different people, yet I'm sure most of us are men.