34 Shocking Truths Revealed by People Astounded at How Many Miss Basic Facts
Ever notice how some life “basics” aren’t so basic after all? Like, who knew that a yield sign isn’t a personal challenge to beat the other car, or that “essential” oils aren’t actually essential? Growing up shapes what skills we pick up—whether it’s milking a cow or dodging rush hour traffic—but apparently, there’s a shocking amount of common knowledge that folks just don’t get. Thanks to a Reddit thread sparked by user ej1273 asking what “basic knowledge” many supposedly lack, a cascade of eye-opening (and sometimes facepalm-worthy) truths came pouring in. From understanding homelessness isn’t just about choices to knowing how to handle a grease fire without making things worse—this is the kinda stuff you’d hope everyone just “got.” But surprise, surprise! Dive in with me as we explore these gaps that might just make you stop and think, or chuckle in disbelief. <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/zxbsiy/whatsconsideredbasicknowledgethatmanypeople/” target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow”>LEARN MORE
We all grow up with a different skill set depending on our circumstances. A person who grew up on a farm will know how to milk a cow and a person who grew up in a city will be aware of when traffic gets heavier to avoid it. These skills and knowledge are acquired by experience or are taught, but even if you need them, you don’t necessarily have them.
Redditors noticed that some people lack knowledge that they consider to be basic, so they shared what gaps bother them and filled others in when user ej1273 asked “What’s considered basic knowledge that many people don’t know?”
More info: Reddit
That homelessness isn’t just caused by bad life choices. It’s very often caused by things outside the person’s control. It’s also a lot harder to come back from homelessness than many people think.
The little stick on the left side of the steering column of every car is your turn signal. If you push it up, it will tell people around you that you are turning right and push it down to indicate a left turn.
The “essential” in essential oils does not mean essential for human health.
To not stop in the middle of the sidewalk and have a conversation, causing everyone to move around you
That your local pharmacy doesn’t have any control over the actual production of your meds.
Why is cough medicine out of stock? I don’t know. Maybe a factory in Ukraine blew up and they are our main supplier. Maybe Jeff pressed the wrong button and contaminated all the medications in the production line. I DON’T KNOW.
And yes, I am well aware that a pandemic is currently occurring. Thanks for the reminder.
I hate people.
Idk if this is considered basic knowledge but it’s really good to know:
If your car gets stuck in snow, take out the floor mats and stick them under your tires as best you can, in the direction you are wanting to go (so the tires can drive on them). This helps give you some traction. You can reuse this technique as far as needed, just parking, getting out, and moving the floor mats back to right in front/behind your tires.
It irks me when I watch TV shows where the characters get stuck and can’t get out of the snow, when they clearly have floor mats in their car. It has come to my attention over the past couple years that a lot of people don’t know this, so now I try and bring it up every time it remotely comes up in a convo.
Also, keep emergency supplies in your vehicle. Jumper cables, a flashlight and batteries (keep them stored separately because corrosion), food/water, gloves, winter boots if applicable where you are, etc. Also, look up the underwater car episode of Mythbusters, just good to know 🙂
EDIT: as u/ruetheblue says below, if the snow is covering the tailpipe TURN THE CAR OFF. (Carbon monoxide)
When your turn signal starts blinking at 2x speed it’s a warning that one of your turn signal bulbs is out.
Ladies, don’t flush your tampons. It doesn’t matter if you are on city sewer or a septic system, it is _terrible_ and causes all kinds of issues.
A yield sign means to let the other vehicle go before you, not you trying to beat the other vehicle.
Each time you make a credit card purchase, you are taking out a short term, high interest loan which will accrue interest if you don’t pay it off by the end of the month.
Don’t put water on a grease fire. This is when your pan/pot catches fire while cooking.
Cover it with the pot or pan lid and turn off the heat
