30 Skills Every Woman Should Have Before Turning 30

[blondebaby589]

Posted: 10/13/08 at 1:24pm

How many have you already mastered?


http://www.thefrisky.com/post/246-30-skills-every-woman-should-have-before-turning-30/

We’ve talked about places do it, things to own, and friends to make before turning 30, and since Popular Mechanics has a new list out of skills every man should know, we thought this was the perfect time to talk about the 30 skills every woman should know before she turns 30. Check the list out, after the jump…


1. Hard boil an egg (Earlier this year, my sister asked me how, but I’ll cut her some slack; she was only 25)
2. Diplomatically tell Mom to butt-out
3. Ace a job interview
4. Ask a man out
5. Send a thoughtful thank you note
6. Listen to a friend in need
7. Ask for help
8. Effectively end an unhealthy relationship (romantic or platonic in nature)
9. Beautifully wrap a gift
10. Say “no” gracefully
11. Whip up a great dinner with the five items in her fridge
12. Forget pleasing him, by 30 a woman should be able to tell her man exactly how to please her
13. Sew a button
14. Mix a kick-ass cocktail
15. Take off her bra without removing her shirt
16. Apply lip gloss in the dark
17. Balance her checkbook
18. Create a budget
19. Find the best deal
20. Negotiate a salary and/or pay raise
21. Read a map
22. Hail a cab
23. Say something in French just for the hell of it
24. Apologize when she’s wrong
25. Dress for her body type
26. Change a flat (or know whom to call to come change it)
27. Spot a fake (handbag, diamond, potential friend…)
28. Feign interest
29. Know what to tip on a $25 dinner bill
30. Hold a baby (Hey, someone you know is bound to have one sooner or later)

[KelRel]

Posted: 10/13/08 at 1:28pm

I'm 25 and I can proudly say that I can do all of those. I may not be "perfect" at them all, but I still have 5 years left to get it right.

[Pippin]

Posted: 10/13/08 at 1:28pm

I don't see anything about Hockey or flute playing on that list.

[StockardFan]

Posted: 10/13/08 at 1:28pm

Well I'm older than 30, but I can do all of those....LOL

Not sure I could have at 30 though.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 10/13/08 at 1:31pm

If someone would lend me her bra, I think I could be a 30 year old woman.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 10/13/08 at 1:37pm

I can do a lot of this at 18, but I really wish I could prefect number eight.

[~FloweryFriend~]

Posted: 10/13/08 at 1:42pm

I'm going to be 24 at the end of the month. These are the things I apparently need to learn in the next 6 years:

4. Ask a man out
11. Whip up a great dinner with the five items in her fridge
12. Forget pleasing him, by 30 a woman should be able to tell her man exactly how to please her
14. Mix a kick-ass cocktail
20. Negotiate a salary and/or pay raise
23. Say something in French just for the hell of it
26. Change a flat

[StockardFan]

Posted: 10/13/08 at 1:46pm

Oh I missed the change a flat one. I can't do that. I mean I probably could if I had to, but that's what roadside assistance is for.....LOL

[blondebaby589]

Posted: 10/13/08 at 1:50pm

StockardFan, hahaha I agree. That's what AAA is for.

[Weez]

Posted: 10/13/08 at 2:02pm

2. Diplomatically tell Mom to butt-out - It's REALLY hard to refuse your mother something when your mother has done so much for you. It is in my case, anyway. And I find I fare better when I let her butt in than when I allow my stubbornness to keep her out. We have a good relationship; I don't NEED this one.

4. Ask a man out - Men are hard. >

14. Mix a kick-ass cocktail - I don't drink. Am I exempted?

16. Apply lip gloss in the dark - I can scarcely apply lip gloss in the light. I use lipstick or lipstain. :P

26. Change a flat (or know whom to call to come change it) - aha, another reason why walking is the best plan. In my defense, I've never had a flat. I've had my exhaust drop off, several times, but never a flat.

I didn't think I could do 11 until I was really broke one month and was left cooking with things that were already in my ktichen rather than buying new things. Some of my best meals came from that time period. Deep-fried tofu, soya beans, and udon being a particular favourite...

[shameless]

Posted: 10/13/08 at 2:06pm

I’m 30 and these 4 need some work.

9. Beautifully wrap a gift
11. Whip up a great dinner with the five items in her fridge
23. Say something in French just for the hell of it
27. Spot a fake (handbag, diamond)

However, I can spot a fake “potential friend” from a mile away.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 10/13/08 at 2:31pm

Fixing a flat is easy- you call AAA.

[Mistress Overdone]

Posted: 10/13/08 at 3:04pm

1. Hard boil an egg - Yes.
2. Diplomatically tell Mom to butt-out - Just mastered this one.
3. Ace a job interview - YES!
4. Ask a man out - No - still a wimp about this one.
5. Send a thoughtful thank you note - Yes.
6. Listen to a friend in need - Yes.
7. Ask for help - Getting better at this one.
8. Effectively end an unhealthy relationship (romantic or platonic in nature) - YES.
9. Beautifully wrap a gift - Yes.
10. Say “no” gracefully - Yes.
11. Whip up a great dinner with the five items in her fridge - All the time.
12. Forget pleasing him, by 30 a woman should be able to tell her man exactly how to please her - Oh, a lady never tells...
13. Sew a button - Just a button? Please...
14. Mix a kick-ass cocktail - Yes.
15. Take off her bra without removing her shirt - While driving.
16. Apply lip gloss in the dark - And mascara.
17. Balance her checkbook - Weekly.
18. Create a budget - Yes. Sticking to it is another story...
19. Find the best deal - Yes.
20. Negotiate a salary and/or pay raise - No, not yet...
21. Read a map - Yes.
22. Hail a cab - Yes.
23. Say something in French just for the hell of it - Not really.
24. Apologize when she’s wrong - Yes, and sometimes when I'm not.
25. Dress for her body type - Yes.
26. Change a flat (or know whom to call to come change it) - Yup.
27. Spot a fake (handbag, diamond, potential friend…) - Handbag - don't give a crap. Diamond - in an instant. Potential friend - from a mile away.
28. Feign interest - All day, every (week)day.
29. Know what to tip on a $25 dinner bill - Yes.
30. Hold a baby (Hey, someone you know is bound to have one sooner or later) - Hold 'em, feed 'em, burp 'em, change 'em, swaddle 'em, and sing 'em to sleep. And none of my own, either. I'm just good.

[KathyGriffinLovesYou]

Posted: 10/13/08 at 6:01pm

I've done/ can do 11. I KNOW.

[StockardFan]

Posted: 10/13/08 at 6:22pm

"Fixing a flat is easy- you call AAA."

That's what blondebaby and I said, Joe! LOL

[singingwendy]

Posted: 10/13/08 at 6:31pm

20. Negotiate a salary and/or pay raise - No, not yet...


As a teacher, I will never have to do this...nor the opportunity. The union and the school board determine our pay.

However, I do think negotiating a the price of something should be on this list...a car, a house, a great pair of shoes...

[StockardFan]

Posted: 10/13/08 at 6:47pm

Good point, Wendy.

[Schmerg_The_Impaler]

Posted: 10/13/08 at 8:17pm

Hmmmm, let's see..I'm about half of thirty years old, and I can do about half of the things on this list. So mathematically speaking, I figure I'll probably be caught up in time... naturally, the ones I can't do are the gracious/diplomatic/thoughtful things, though.

[Q]

Posted: 10/13/08 at 8:21pm

Interesting suggestions.

Heterocentric, but interesting.

[shira467]

Posted: 10/13/08 at 8:30pm

28/30. I cannot yet..

2. Diplomatically tell Mom to butt-out
20. Negotiate a salary and/or pay raise

[Q]

Posted: 10/13/08 at 8:34pm

Shira - perhaps your trouble is that they are inexhorably linked

[KrissySim]

Posted: 10/13/08 at 8:47pm

How about:
Live through one of the greatest (if not the greatest) economic collapses of the century and come out of it financially successful?

[NYadgal]

Posted: 10/13/08 at 9:10pm

This thread reminds me of this 'list' which has circulated the email chains for a while... Another lovely set of thoughts.

(And, it's true, Q, that the list is heterocentric... It works with gender neutral language as well)



What Every Woman Should Have:

* One old boyfriend you can imagine going back to (even if you wouldn't) and one who reminds you of how far you've come.

* Enough money within your control to move out and rent a place on your own, even if you never want or need to.

* Something perfect to wear if the employer or man of your dreams wants to see you in an hour.

* A purse, a suitcase and an umbrella you're not ashamed to be seen carrying.

* A youth you're content to move beyond.

* A past juicy enough that you're looking forward to retelling it in your old age.

* A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill and a black lace bra.

* One friend who always makes you laugh and one who lets you cry.

* A good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in your family.

* Eight matching plates, wineglasses with stems and a recipe for a meal that will make your guests feel honored.

* A resume that is not even the slightest bit padded.

* A feeling of control over your destiny.

* A skin care regime, an exercise routine and a plan for dealing with those few other facets of life that don't get better after 30.

* A solid start on a satisfying career, a satisfying relationship and all those other facets of life that do get better.



Every Woman Should Know:

* How to fall in love without losing yourself.

* How you feel about having kids.

* How to quit a job, break up with a man and confront a friend without ruining the friendship.

* When to try harder and when to walk away.

* How to kiss a man in a way that communicates perfectly what you would and wouldn't like to happen next.

* How to have a good time at a party you'd never choose to attend.

* How to ask for what you want in a way that makes it most likely you'll get it.

* That you can't change the length of your calves, the width of your hips or the nature of your parents.

* That your childhood may not have been perfect, but it's over.

* What you would and wouldn't do for love or money.

* How to live alone, even if you don't like it.

* Who you can trust, who you can't, and why you shouldn't take it personally.

* Where to go - be it your best friend's kitchen table or a charming inn hidden in the woods - when your soul needs soothing.

* What you can and can't accomplish in a day, a month, and a year.

* Why they say life begins at 30.

Updated On: 10/13/08 at 09:10 PM

[PalJoey]

Posted: 10/13/08 at 9:23pm

I was hoping you'd visit this thead ;-}


Who you can trust, who you can't, and why you shouldn't take it personally

I still learn that one, day after day after day.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 10/13/08 at 9:27pm

after day after day after day... I'm with you on that one, PalJoey

Some lessons take a lifetime!


Life may begin at 30, but I believe the best is yet to come!


(And, I DO have all of those things every woman is supposed to have!)

Updated On: 10/13/08 at 09:27 PM