Older, wiser and getting stuff done
Who can start a campfire? Who can bake better? Who can fix a bike chain? Find out in Bupa's inter-generational survey.
When he was well into his cycling career, Italian legend Fausto Coppi is believed to have been asked about the threat younger rivals to his position at the top of the sport.
The response is now legendary. 'Age and treachery will overcome youth and skill.'
While that's a more extreme example, Bupa UK has released research showing older generations still lead the way in getting stuff done.
The poll of 2,000 adults compared some practical skills.
Joan Elliott, Managing Director at Bupa Care Homes in the UK says, if you think you need to know, a good way to learn some of these skills is easy: Ask.
“There’s so much we can learn from our older generations, but there’s a real danger that we’re losing valuable life skills and pastimes. Thankfully these things are easy to pass between generations, we just need to find time to start the conversations.
Here's are some of the things you can learn from somone who's been around a bit longer.
Activity |
18-24 |
25-34 |
35-44 |
45-54 |
55+ |
The number of pounds in a stone |
44.86% |
52.05% |
53.44% |
71.82% |
90.42% |
How to read the time on an analogue clock |
61.21% |
60.82% |
68.75% |
77.07% |
90.42% |
The number of feet in a yard |
17.76% |
21.05% |
29.69% |
45.03% |
90.29% |
How to manage money |
50.93% |
52.34% |
60.31% |
73.76% |
85.56% |
How to iron a shirt |
52.34% |
50.88% |
56.56% |
72.10% |
84.12% |
How to sew on a button |
39.72% |
41.23% |
47.50% |
67.96% |
81.36% |
How to do times tables, without using a calculator |
50% |
40.64% |
48.44% |
64.36% |
79.27% |
How to use an index |
32.71% |
35.09% |
44.38% |
61.60% |
77.30% |
How to properly polish shoes |
29.44% |
28.36% |
40% |
57.73% |
77.03% |
How to use cutlery in the right order |
46.26% |
39.18% |
46.88% |
61.60% |
77.03% |
How to write a formal letter |
46.73% |
42.98% |
48.44% |
63.54% |
76.77% |
How to wire a plug |
16.82% |
20.76% |
39.06% |
58.29% |
72.97% |
How to spell without using spellcheck |
47.20% |
38.60% |
48.75% |
59.39% |
72.05% |
How to lay a table properly |
40.65% |
38.89% |
49.38% |
53.87% |
70.47% |
How and when to use correct grammar - such as 'who', 'whom', 'whose' or 'who's |
46.73% |
38.89% |
47.19% |
55.52% |
67.19% |
How to garden |
27.10% |
21.93% |
40.63% |
46.96% |
65.62% |
How long fresh foods keep for |
30.84% |
28.07% |
42.81% |
50% |
62.60% |
How to treat a burn |
41.59% |
32.46% |
43.44% |
50% |
61.55% |
How to get stains out of clothes |
35.51% |
31.29% |
35.94% |
48.07% |
58.40% |
How to read an ordnance survey map |
21.96% |
23.98% |
36.56% |
45.58% |
58.27% |
The number of centimetres in an inch |
34.11% |
33.04% |
38.44% |
49.17% |
57.09% |
The collection times for your local post box |
17.76% |
17.54% |
26.25% |
35.08% |
54.46% |
The names of different birds |
18.22% |
16.96% |
26.56% |
36.74% |
47.77% |
How to repair worn or broken clothing |
21.96% |
16.96% |
24.69% |
38.95% |
46.72% |
How to tie a sling or bandage |
22.90% |
18.13% |
27.50% |
36.74% |
45.14% |
How to play chess |
27.57% |
27.19% |
31.56% |
44.48% |
43.70% |
How to administer first aid |
28.50% |
29.53% |
35.94% |
37.29% |
43.44% |
How to change a car tyre |
15.42% |
24.27% |
29.69% |
38.12% |
43.18% |
How to make a cake without following a recipe |
24.77% |
27.19% |
32.81% |
34.25% |
42.78% |
The price of a first class stamp |
19.16% |
19.88% |
25% |
30.94% |
40.68% |
The number of kilometres in a mile |
26.64% |
25.44% |
30.31% |
33.98% |
37.27% |
How to identify plants and flowers by name |
12.15% |
12.87% |
18.13% |
24.03% |
37.14% |
How to arrange flowers |
18.22% |
16.08% |
21.88% |
22.65% |
34.38% |
How to fix a bike chain |
21.03% |
21.35% |
30.31% |
29.28% |
34.25% |
How to start a campfire |
20.56% |
18.71% |
21.25% |
33.70% |
32.68% |
How to make marmalade or jam |
13.55% |
15.50% |
17.50% |
18.51% |
31.10% |
How to guess the weight of ingredients by looking at them |
16.36% |
16.96% |
20% |
20.17% |
24.54% |
How to crochet |
8.41% |
4.39% |
7.81% |
10.50% |
22.57% |
How to ballroom dance e.g. Waltz or Tango |
5.14% |
3.51% |
3.13% |
6.08% |
15.35% |
The names of different constellations of stars |
11.21% |
10.82% |
11.25% |
12.15% |
15.09% |
How to mend a car engine |
4.67% |
5.26% |
6.25% |
8.84% |
10.24% |
None of the above |
9.35% |
6.73% |
5.63% |
2.76% |
0.92% |