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Ordinary everyday things I no longer know how to do

(234 Posts)
Vintagejazz Sun 10-Apr-22 09:27:27

I just realised today that even if I was minded to look for a job I wouldn't have a clue how to go about it.
When I was job hunting jobs were advertised in the paper and you sent in your CV or requested an application form, filled it in and posted it back. Then you waited for a letter saying you had or hadn't been called for an interview.

That all seems to have changed.

What other ordinary things would posters not know how to go about in this digital age.

I'm not even 60 yet shock

Callistemon21 Mon 11-Apr-22 19:42:25

Milest0ne

Callistemon2. that sounds like mail order catalogue

Sorry, I didn't understand your post

Bellanonna Mon 11-Apr-22 19:36:43

I can’t change the clock in my new (to me) car despite reading and re-reading the handbook. I’ve no idea how to work the integral satnav. I haven’t done an unknown journey yet but would probably put my old satnav in. I don’t really know what blue tooth means but the salesman did promise to teach me anything I needed to know. That requires a modicum of courage but I’ll probably see him after Easter because I am stuck on one radio station despite trying to work it out several times. Classic FM it is, then,for the time being.

Milest0ne Mon 11-Apr-22 17:44:36

Callistemon2. that sounds like mail order catalogue

Yammy Mon 11-Apr-22 17:44:33

MerylStreep

Saggi
So, much the same as most people of a certain age do every day.

So succinct MerylStreep you've got it in one.grin

Callistemon21 Mon 11-Apr-22 17:20:37

I wouldn't attempt some of the things I used to do but, looking on the bright side, I can now do things that I wouldn't have thought possible many years ago when first learning how to send an email!

Sue450 Mon 11-Apr-22 17:20:16

When I was working back in the 50s/60s. You could give a weeks notice go to an employment agency get another job. Have an interview and start the job within a week.
No CVS .
Life was simple then, struggling with net flicks all new to us my dg comes along and flick flick quick explanation and it’s so simple. Felt like a twit.

Curlywhirly Mon 11-Apr-22 17:17:03

A forward roll! I was trying to teach our 4 year old how to do one - got on the floor and half way through doing the roll couldn't for the life of me complete it - I just felt like my neck was going to snap! Also used to sew all sorts of clothes and soft furnishings - wouldn't dream of attempting some of those things now, having completely lost my confidence.

MerylStreep Mon 11-Apr-22 17:03:39

Saggi
So, much the same as most people of a certain age do every day.

Yammy Mon 11-Apr-22 16:55:49

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

Callistemon21 Mon 11-Apr-22 16:52:41

You just have to ‘play’ with your phone to learn to use it properly…. it’s fun
I know it is, but first I have to go to the optician's ?

yogitree Mon 11-Apr-22 16:25:29

MissAdventure [laugh]

FranT Mon 11-Apr-22 16:08:43

These posts have made me laugh, mainly because I can relate to most of them, therefore I don't feel so alone in my journey towards becoming an 'Old Duffer'! Strange as you never think you're going to get old, then it creeps up on you, and now I wouldn't be at all surprised if a random body part just fell off!

Saggi Mon 11-Apr-22 16:05:12

I’ve just completed my sainsburys order and saved it!

They sent me a message saying my pre-payment ‘delivery pass ‘ needs updating …which meant me putting a new bank card on-line ( other expired)

I’ve just paid my half yearly council tax !!

I’ve sent my grandson a birthday card via ‘Moonpig.com’ ( Hes 15 tomorrow)

I’m sending him money via technology to his Go Henry account tmro!!

I’ve just paid my credit card on-line

Oh and I’ve ordered some heavy stuff for my garden , being delivered tmro!! Thank you Amazon ( the delivery man Gregor…will take it right into my back garden for me)

My husband is housebound so all his clothes come via Cotten Traders …online app. Brilliant!

I Monitor my B.P…….heart rate ……how many steps I walk in a day….usually 6000-8000

My watch ( linked to phone) tells me I’ve been sitting too long ( 1 hour)

All my banking ( never had 1 single problem) is done same way. I do keep money in house just in case internet goes a.w.o.l. …. but this is the future and we can’t just ignore.

Please learn to use the tech…. unless you all like queueing in the rain outside your banks / council offices …like a friend of mine does. !!!!

I’ve done it all on my smart I-phone. The I-pad I rarely use …. My little device 6” x 2.5” is my lifeline…..

I bless the day my 84 year old sister dragged me to the Apple shop and stopped me being so ‘blinkered’ .

You just have to ‘play’ with your phone to learn to use it properly…. it’s fun.

Alioop Mon 11-Apr-22 16:04:01

Do anything without my darn glasses and if I forget them, I'm stuffed!

MerylStreep Mon 11-Apr-22 15:45:07

The look of joy when my elderly neighbour sent her first email ( to me) was priceless.
She’s 87.
It was in the first lockdown and I communicated by phone to her what to do.
It might not seem much but up until then she only knew how to open her iPad and press the FB app.

Blondie49 Mon 11-Apr-22 15:41:59

Georgesgran - a wee tip re fire stick . I have 2 switch sockets on wall ( fire stick and tv ) if I leave fire stick one on after finished using it then the tv signal goes weird, so you need to switch it off ? hope that helps

Grandyma Mon 11-Apr-22 15:36:52

It actually is becoming increasingly difficult to cope without a decent level of IT skills. I manage perfectly well but have an elderly relative who struggles. His mobile phone belongs in a museum and he just can’t cope with a smart phone. He does have a basic knowledge of the internet so can manage emails & online shopping but not much else. He is approaching 90 so he manages. However, coping with banking, NHS/GP appointments etc. etc. requires us to be techno savvy nowadays. I actually think EConsult is amazing!! I can get far more information across than I ever could in a 10 minute GP appointment of old. I fear that if we don’t keep up we will be left behind or rely too heavily on younger friends & family in our old age.

Calendargirl Mon 11-Apr-22 15:36:35

Yammy

?

Yammy Mon 11-Apr-22 15:32:42

Joesoap

Talking about not knowing what to do these days, last week a scammer emptied my savings acount, bad enought, but I always use a card to pay for anything, so now no card, no access to anything, I feel I should go back to cash! my new card hopefully will arrive before Easter.
I feel shattered and cheated, somebody had a shoping spree with MY money in a shopping centre in Rotterdam of all places, we live in Sweden! I now dont trust anyone.

My DD account was cleared out while she was visiting us a few years ago. They went to a furniture shop and refitted their house from top to bottom.
Luckily she could prove it was not her and where she was at the time.
Good luck I hope things get sorted.shamrock

Namsnanny Mon 11-Apr-22 15:28:24

midgey

I went swimming the other day…..sank like a stone!

??
My Father who swam practically every day of his life, said he lost the ability to stay underwater as he got older! He kept bobbing up to the surface unexpectedly.

MerylStreep Mon 11-Apr-22 15:17:27

Callistemon
Same here but it was a delivery from Pizza Express.
Got a crime number, went to police who asked so did you get your money back sir eh, yes.
Mr plod to OH oh, so that’s ok sir
Wrong thing to say to OH. ? Voices we’re raised.
The pond life were arrested.

MerylStreep Mon 11-Apr-22 15:11:33

GraceQuirrel

Barmeyoldbat

I also teach technology to older people at our local library

I’d rather go to Meryl! Not so touchy.

Thank you soooo much, Grace
I did contact the recipient of my post to ask if she’d read my reply in the spirit it was written, of course she had ?
I’m a Delia Smith type of teacher ( remember How to boil an egg) if no one’s ever shown you How to boil an egg, you’ll never know how.

My partner who’s brain is the size of our bungalow would start teaching tech with a Spreadsheet. Because ? Everyone knows all the basic stuff. No-they- don’t.

Greciangirl Mon 11-Apr-22 15:04:44

I seem to have lost the ability to use joined up writing. Because I always use emails instead of writing.

Now if I send birthday or Christmas cards, I have to use print lettering. My handwriting is very poor and I feel ashamed as I used to write beautifully years ago.

Callistemon21 Mon 11-Apr-22 15:02:42

Joesoap that leaves you feeling sick - I do hope you get it sorted out very quickly.
Two of my credit cards were scammed years ago, they really weren't that clever as they had set up a Netflix account on one!
However, apart from giving a police crime reference, the police don't do anything as they are inundated with such cases.

grandtanteJE65 Mon 11-Apr-22 14:59:36

I imagine I could work out all the various things my smart-phone can do, but I haven't bothered as I only use it to phone, to text (reluctantly as I prefer writing e-mails) and take photos.

Same applies to the TV and DVD - it is easier to get DH who mainly uses both to fiddle around with them. Today he took the oven door off for me, so I could clean it properly. I probably could do that too, but why should I when he is far better at doing anything with tools than I am?

DH could probably work out how to use the washing-machine and dryer, but leaves them to me.

Downloading or is it streaming music etc. is a closed book, why should I learn how to do it when I have between 300 and 400 cds?

My handwriting has deteriorated and I have to be very, very careful not to work for more than a short time at the more strenuous tasks in the garden.