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Most people have a certain skill that, even though very basic and mastered by most people around them, still doesn’t come easy for them.

Among the examples are activities and processes as basic as proper breathing or folding fitted sheets, while the reasons behind it may vary from a person’s innate qualities, lacking patience, good teachers, or practice to simply not caring enough about it.

And these people are listing these kinds of basic skills they aren’t very good at, answering one Redditor’s question: ”What is the most basic thing you are terrible at?”

Do you have something to add? Please, share your thoughts in the comments below!

More info: Reddit

#1

Someone Asked, “What Is The Most Basic Thing You Are Terrible At?,” And 33 People Delivered Doing anything while someone is watching.

Silent_Decay , Yan Krukau Report

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Mammie
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I get that. It makes me nervous. The ridicule I get in my head is probably actually worse than it would be in real life if I messed something up. But yet...here we are.

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#2

Someone Asked, “What Is The Most Basic Thing You Are Terrible At?,” And 33 People Delivered Remembering somebody's name.

If a person comes up and says, "Hi, I'm Jim Peterson," I will have forgotten it by the time I've said "Hey. I'm NoxWild."

NoxWild , CHUTTERSNAP Report

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LakotaWolf (she/her)
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know the names of all of the dogs living in my neighborhood. I cannot, for the life of me, remember their owner’s names. I have the lady in the house next door entered in my phone as “Milo’s Mom” XD

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#3

Someone Asked, “What Is The Most Basic Thing You Are Terrible At?,” And 33 People Delivered My attempts at folding fitted sheets are a chaotic masterpiece. It's like wrestling an octopus into submission every time. Does anyone feel me?

KarmaKittenKiss , cottonbro studio Report

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JB
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Fitted sheets are a nightmare to fold! I just roll them into a rough cylinder and call it good.

DrBronxx
Community Member
9 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We've solved that problem. We just have one fitted sheet - it gets washed early in the morning at the weekend, and it's dry by the time we need it that night. NO FOLDING NECESSARY!

Dan
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I fit a sheet, a sheet I fit. Upon a fitted sheet I sit!

Tamra
Community Member
9 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I tried to say that out loud. Husband asked me why I'm mumbling about s******g on a sheet.

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Featherytoad
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've tried. I have queen sheets and my arms just aren't long enough. I gave up and now I just ball up the fitted sheet and put it in my chest at the end of the bed.

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Steve Hall
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I just roll them up and shove them into a drawer. The sheet inspector is not welcome in my house.

OneHappyPuppy
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Fold like a regular but stuff the corners into each other. Hey, I don't do it perfectly but at least it's not a stuffed ball in my closet...

g90814
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah these just go right back on the bed, or a very rough fold to fit with the rest of the set.

Laura Williams
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I just roll them in a ball. Don't care if my sheets are wrinkley and nobody sees them anyway.

Jon Steensen
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

yeah you have to take the education to become a nurse in order to be able to do it neatly. However, I thing the trick is to put it down on large surface and fold it in quaters in both directions, such that all the edges ends up in the middle of the package. Once that is done you can make neat folds in the rest.... or you can just put all of them on the bed, and then tear one of each time the outermost gets dirty and needs replacement.

Magnifico Giganticus (it)
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It was such a relief when I finally abandoned this standard. Honestly, who gives a rat's a*s?

Say No to Downvoting
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh man, that is one thing that I know most people suck at but one of the few things I am AMAZING at! Two things I contribute to society: damn good brownies and folding a fitted sheet.

Just-4-2day
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

fold the top sheet and wad up the fitted sheet and stuff the whole lot into a pillowcase

cah
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel you. I'm glad I'm not the only one that can't fold them. :)

Joshua
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You're supposed to roll them in a ball and throw them in the linen closet. Anything more is too much.

Lori Rommel
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I did it right ... once. On the plus side, it happened in a laundromat, so I held it aloft and made an impromptu announcement. "Hey, everybody! This is a fitted sheet!"

Jessica SpeLangm
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yet my 80+ year old mom says it's not hard at all. lmao. I don't have 50+ years of experience or perfection of the craft to back me up on that. Thank you, mom.

Rainstorm
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm lucky enough to have a mom who knows how to fold fitted sheets and taught me how to do it. It's my favorite skill I have I love it

Scott Rackley
Community Member
9 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I got taught by a head housekeeper for the hotel I was night auditor at. Older Hispanic lady, made me do it till I had it down pat after I asked. edit: She also taught me how to do hospital corners real nice.

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v
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The trick to getting to the feeling of accomplishment is to start with the fitted sheet and lowered expectations, then fold the flat sheet and pillow cases for the grand finale and a renewed sense of ability.

T J R
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Last night I just kept repeating, "fitted sheets are stupid" while trying to fold mine.

Verena
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Place sheet flat on bed, so that two corners form pockets. Then tuck the other two opposite corners in the respective pockets. Straighten the edges out. Fold each side from outside to inside. Keep folding as you see fit.

Bored Seb
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I work in a hostel. Folded tons of those things. Still catastrophic ^^

Miki
Community Member
9 months ago

This comment has been deleted.

Michael Largey
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have a theory about folding fitted sheets - it can’t be done. I can provide a very convincing demonstration.

BarkingSquirell
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Particularly for this reason, I strip my bed and wash them when the bed isn't in use. I have a hard enough time getting them over the mattress as it is!

LovingKnuckle
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Gave up years ago. Having a folded fitted sheet is not important to me in anyway.

Deborah B
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Fold in quarters, nest/stack the corners, lay flat, and fold in the elasticated sides so you have a neat rectangle, which is then easily foldable.

Sunny Day
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why fold them? Strip the bed, wash them, put them back on the bed.

madeleine f
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Life is too short to worry about perfect sheets. As long as they are clean I'm happy.

detective miller's hat
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I use them as a sort of "basket" for the flat sheet and the number of pillowcases on my bed. That way when I change my sheets, I just grab the bundle in the fitted sheet and I have everything I need.

KT
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You connect all the corners first then the rest is easy to fold

Robert Trebor
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wash my sheets in individual mesh bags, because even the flat sheets seem to take up the challenge of bundling up other laundry and keeping it damp. But fitted sheets are monsters.

WFH Forever
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wool balls in the dryer. Fights static cling and keeps sheets from rolling themselves up.

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SlothyK8
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I learned from a YouTube video years ago. It took a while to perfect, but I have and I'm proud of the way my linen closet looks. I guess it really all depends on how willing you are. I'm kind of a perfectionist, so this was my jam. Your experience/patience may differ. :)

Holly D.
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I literally dont get this....its not rocket effing science...jfc

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#4

Someone Asked, “What Is The Most Basic Thing You Are Terrible At?,” And 33 People Delivered Sleeping. It takes so long to fall asleep. And I wake up wide awake multiple times a night. Nightmares constantly. I’ve tried all the things. Dark, light, silence, noise (tv, fan, white noise). I’m exhausted. I have a sleep study on April 29th. Cross your fingers they can help me cause your girl is sleepy.

nay2829 , Andrea Piacquadio Report

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WindySwede
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Taking complete blood samples, to see if any is of. Deficiency, hormones or 'just' pescy thyroid gland.. and wonder how many sleep better at the sleep study, than at home?

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#5

Someone Asked, “What Is The Most Basic Thing You Are Terrible At?,” And 33 People Delivered Comforting sad people. I'll literally just stand there and be like, "you .. .you want some water?"

Cressonette , Jack Sparrow Report

#6

Someone Asked, “What Is The Most Basic Thing You Are Terrible At?,” And 33 People Delivered Small talk. I turn every casual conversation into an awkward dance of random facts and nervous laughter lol

HallqPE03r4221 , Tim Douglas Report

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Red_panda
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And oversharing! "How's the weather today?" Me: "my mom left with me terrible trauma because of her poor life choices"

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#7

Someone Asked, “What Is The Most Basic Thing You Are Terrible At?,” And 33 People Delivered Sense of direction. I navigate around well due to memorization. I have no feeling of which way to go. I can get lost after using the restaurant bathroom easy. 

Emergencymama , Pixabay Report

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Jeremy James
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is why I love living on the coast. If you get lost, just walk toward the ocean. When you get there, your choices are Right or Left.

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#8

Someone Asked, “What Is The Most Basic Thing You Are Terrible At?,” And 33 People Delivered Handwriting. It doesn’t seem to matter how hard I try it always looks like a drunk spider has stood in ink and wandered across the page.
Edit: Not a Dr so please ignore any medical advice I give out

SpankyBluePanda , energepic.com Report

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Ephemeral Mochi
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

my mom remarked that my chinese handwriting is better than my english handwriting 😆

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#9

Someone Asked, “What Is The Most Basic Thing You Are Terrible At?,” And 33 People Delivered Parallel parking. It's like my car has a force field that repels itself from the curb I swear

AndersontUI49f6221 , Maryia Plashchynskaya Report

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Bec
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Love my backup camera but I will still only parallel park if there is absolutely no traffic nearby and lots of room.

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#10

Someone Asked, “What Is The Most Basic Thing You Are Terrible At?,” And 33 People Delivered 1. Socializing

2. Making new friends

3. Making small talk

4. Dancing

That last one sucks because I come from the DANCINGEST family. Every goddamn wedding it's a line of people trying to get me on the dance floor. Don't get me started on bachelorette weekends and the hours of clubbing they inevitably entail. People think I'm shy but I'm not, if I could dance I WOULD dance. I just have zero rhythm. I look like an injured cow having an epileptic fit when I try. So I don't subject myself, or others, to a public performance. I shouldn't be criticized for this. I should be THANKED.

_hootyowlscissors , Tima Miroshnichenko Report

#12

Someone Asked, “What Is The Most Basic Thing You Are Terrible At?,” And 33 People Delivered A signature that doesn’t look like a child forged it.

Sup3rB1rd , Pixabay Report

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g90814
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I grew up in a family of teachers... all with perfect handwriting... you can read my signature. Maybe not my other handwriting.

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#13

Someone Asked, “What Is The Most Basic Thing You Are Terrible At?,” And 33 People Delivered Breathing.

My lungs have collapsed twice to fatal levels. Spontaneous Pneumothorax.

I had to have surgery to permanently glue my left lung to the skin of my back.

I still occasionally feel them have "mini collapses" once or twice a year. But Anything less than 25% or so (I am not a doctor) can fix itself.

This makes strenuous activity, like going for a jog, a bit difficult. If I feel that familiar pain, everything stops for that day.

gummby8 , Oleksandr P Report

#14

Someone Asked, “What Is The Most Basic Thing You Are Terrible At?,” And 33 People Delivered mental arithmetic

5minbeforemidnight , Gustavo Fring Report

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PattyK
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Used to be able to do it, but I’ve lost that skill the last few years (76 yrs old). Doesn’t seem to matter much.

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#15

Someone Asked, “What Is The Most Basic Thing You Are Terrible At?,” And 33 People Delivered I'm Filipino, I'm supposed to sing like an angel.

I'm part of the 10% of the population who cannot sing to save their life.

ikaimnis , Pixabay Report

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Pandasizing World Peace
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cannot come close to carrying a tune, just awful noises come from my vocal chords. If I forget myself and break into a TV show song, my compassionate cat runs up to my face in a panic, i'm sure, thinking I am suffering some horrific ailment. At church, I have learned to either sit in the front row so I'm singing into a wide open space, or I silently lip sync the words.

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#17

Someone Asked, “What Is The Most Basic Thing You Are Terrible At?,” And 33 People Delivered Holding a conversation.

EducationCommon1635 , Jopwell Report

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RamiRudolph
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm bad at holding a conversion , but I'm even worse at starting one. I just never know what to say. Maybe I'm not made to talk.

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#18

Someone Asked, “What Is The Most Basic Thing You Are Terrible At?,” And 33 People Delivered Making pancakes. I can cook otherwise, I can bake, but for whatever reason, I can’t make pancakes.

Horror-Lion111 , Ash Report

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Jeremy James
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The last time I made pancakes, it put my partner in the hospital. There was nothing wrong with the pancakes themselves; they were delicious. That was just the day we found out that he has type II diabetes now.

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#19

Someone Asked, “What Is The Most Basic Thing You Are Terrible At?,” And 33 People Delivered Self-care.

llc4269 , Karolina Grabowska Report

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Lydsylou (she/her)
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have a shower and might occasionally splash my face with some water but that's my limit. I own literally no skin care or makeup products. Shampoo, conditioner and body wash are the extent of my self care

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#20

Someone Asked, “What Is The Most Basic Thing You Are Terrible At?,” And 33 People Delivered Throwing.

I can throw a ball, but not far or fast. Never been able to. I'm in good shape, I got a good build, but don't count on me to be QB in your football game or pitcher on a baseball team. Something about my arm I just can't get it very fast.

OrangeChihuahua2321 , Davide Buttani Report

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Ace
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I used to play cricket for our local village team, twice awarded "fielder of the year", but everybody (on our team) knew that I could not throw the ball from the boundary. My reactions were sharp and I could run it down quickly, but there always needed to be someone half-way to the stumps to relay it back. But it's a brave batsman who takes another run when the ball is in the fielder's hands.

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#21

Someone Asked, “What Is The Most Basic Thing You Are Terrible At?,” And 33 People Delivered Well, as my mom will tell you, in kindergarten I failed at skipping. They even put a note on my report card. So don't ask me to skip for you, I can't do it.

TwoAmoebasHugging , cottonbro studio Report

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LizzieBoredom
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They put a note in your report card about skipping at school, or skipping school?

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#23

Sewing

taekookieberry Report

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StumblingThroughLife
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My knitting efforts are often labelled 'religious' ... as in (very, VERY) holey - although I can finger knit like a pro. :D

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#24

Someone Asked, “What Is The Most Basic Thing You Are Terrible At?,” And 33 People Delivered Any DIY. I grew up with a father that could do anything and really well, electrics, plumbing, plastering, carpentry, mechanics, you name it. I can drill a hole in a wall, and that's about it.

Mark-Might-Lose , Bidvine Report

#25

Someone Asked, “What Is The Most Basic Thing You Are Terrible At?,” And 33 People Delivered Cooking, like I'll literally mess up the most basic stuff. I even managed to burn instant noodles once lol

Designer_Primary_144 , cottonbro studio Report

#26

Someone Asked, “What Is The Most Basic Thing You Are Terrible At?,” And 33 People Delivered Driving. 29, never learned.

coqueluxo , Ingo Joseph Report

#27

Someone Asked, “What Is The Most Basic Thing You Are Terrible At?,” And 33 People Delivered Cutting anything in half,no matter how even it seems it will be, it ends up stupid.

crowfren , CA Creative Report

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#28

Someone Asked, “What Is The Most Basic Thing You Are Terrible At?,” And 33 People Delivered Grabbing just one beer.

Thin-Air2055 , Tembela Bohle Report

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hitex
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One bottle of booze is too much & a bathtub of booze isn't enough...in recovery here, so one beer for me is equivalent to throwing away my life

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#30

Swimming

zeblootothdivais Report

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Tucker Cahooter
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Me too, embarrassing from a nation where 85% of us live close to the ocean and which thrives on winning swimming medals at the Olympics. I'm the sort of person who would even drown in the Dead Sea

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#31

Someone Asked, “What Is The Most Basic Thing You Are Terrible At?,” And 33 People Delivered Peeling a hard boiled egg.

dopm_me_your_strange , Nataliya Vaitkevich Report

#32

Cooking rice well

deezirae Report

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Meowzers!
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Uncle Roger would have a heart attack if he saw me cook rice. Though I recently got a rice steamer but I'm yet to use it. I'm looking forward to not drowning my rice in the future.

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#33

Someone Asked, “What Is The Most Basic Thing You Are Terrible At?,” And 33 People Delivered Reading an analog clock.

I am 30.
I am a teacher.


Edit to clarify: I know how it works. I can tell the time but I can't look at it and tell instantly. I have to go through a whole process, the same as when you're learning this. So it goes like this in my mind: okay, the big clock hand is at 6 so it's half, then look at the small one..

I taught myself how to read and write when I was 4 and have an iq of 124 but my brain won't let me tell how to read a clock instantly.

JulesFGM , Mike Bird Report

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Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My!
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I couldn't either, until I took Spanish. Learning it in a different language sidestepped the crossed wires in my brain. After awhile, I was able to do it in English without having to translate first. A shame OP won't see this.

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