by Biloxi Von Lutz

Created on: October 13, 2009

It seems to me that men have lost a bit of their self-sufficiency in recent decades. We've become a gender that now relies on others to do the things we once took pride in. Here's my list of ten things that everyman should be able to do.

1. A man should be able to change a flat tire on his car. This is not always as simple as it sounds, but it always pains me to see a man waiting on the side of the road for AAA to arrive to help him change a tire he could have taken care of in ten minutes.

2. A man can take action. When the pressure is on, the ability to make a decision and go with it is something every man should be able to do. Even if the decision was wrong in retrospect, it's still better than being indecisive.

3. A man should take responsibility for his actions. When a man makes mistakes, he owns up to them and does his best to fix them. He has no need for excuses.

4. A man should be able to shoot a gun. Even if he never intends to use it for anything other than occasionally firing at a paper target, he needs to appreciate the power of a gun and respect it. That respect is only earned through pulling the trigger.

5. A man should be able to cook. Being unable to fire up the grill and cook a steak or cook your kids some pancakes on a Saturday morning is unacceptable. A man knows his way around the kitchen.

6. A man should believe in something. Whether it's God, Rock N Roll, or the small-block Chevy, an unwavering faith in some entity is an integral part of being a man.

7. A man should be able to haggle. Many things can be had for far less than the sale price. This is especially important when buying cars or scalping tickets.

8. A man should be able to give respect where it is due. Being a sore loser or failing to give a person credit for a job well done is shameful, and is a trait no real man should possess.

9. A man should be self-sufficient. Asking for help when necessary is perfectly acceptable, but a man's first instinct should be to do something on his own. That is the only way through which new skills are acquired.

10. Above all things, a man should be resourceful. There is 'more than one way to skin a cat' and a man should know at least a few of them. The ability to think up new methods on the fly is a must-have skill for any true man.

There are countless other skills any man should possess, but to me, these are the truly indispensable ones.

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