Gransnet forums

Chat

I cant do...

(106 Posts)
fancythat Sun 29-Mar-26 18:09:16

Not much good with technology
My cooking is average
Cant do diy in the slightest
And quite a lot more besides.

Thankfully there is a bunch of things I can do.

What can others not do?

I dont have the slightest bit of ego problems with not being able to do some things.
Nor telling people I cant.
And thankfully, being part of a very large family, we all help each other help.

What cant you do?

Kitty55 Mon 30-Mar-26 09:28:03

Try as I might I can’t climb a ladder so I have never been or seen my loft. I often wonder what my DH has up there.

fancyflowers Mon 30-Mar-26 09:20:50

I can't walk very well, I can't ride a bike ( never got one in spite of loads of letters to Father Christmas).

I can knit but I can't crochet.

I can't do maths, it never clicked with me. And I didn't see the point of learning calculus. Apparently it had something to do with how many cornflakes could fit in a box. I really didn't care.

I can sew and made my own wedding dress and all my bridesmaids' dresses, as well as most of my girls' clothes when they were young.

I can't swim properly and don't like the baths. It's far too cold when you get out.

I can't deal with technology. My limit is turning the TV on and off.

I can't grow peonies. I have tried for years and failed spectacularly every time.

I can't ride a horse. (To be fair, I've never tried - we weren't a horsy family where I grew up).

That's it for now but I'm sure there's lots more that I can't do.

petra Mon 30-Mar-26 09:15:05

Basgetti

I’ve found I can pretty much do anything I turn my hands too.

Sorry, I’ll get my coat 😁

You’re not alone. 😉
But I can’t play chess, click my fingers, wink, or do that clucking thing with my mouth.

Naughtyneine Mon 30-Mar-26 09:10:02

I can't cook rice..it doesn't matter how many different recipes or followed advice from friends I've tried...it never ever comes out fluffy...slice of rice anyone?
Oh who mentioned handstands and cartwheels....I could do them really well and now have a real yearning to try and do them again....which at 71 and 8 weeks post hip revision op would be madness....but in my head I can still do them ( and do you know later this year I may give it a go....😱)

GrannyGravy13 Mon 30-Mar-26 09:09:27

I cannot ride a bicycle, much to the amusement of my AC who have tried on numerous occasions to teach me, the GC have now accepted the challenge to teach Granny…

SpinDriftCoastal Mon 30-Mar-26 08:36:16

I can't fit a zip.
Can't do algebra or trig.
I can't do DIY.

keepcalmandcavachon Mon 30-Mar-26 08:19:20

fancythat

Glad I am in such good company!

I sort of assumed I was missing a lot of talent, compared to others.

Me too fancythat, thank goodness I'm not a perfectionist, more of a that'll do-ist these days!

Basgetti Mon 30-Mar-26 00:32:26

I’ve found I can pretty much do anything I turn my hands too.

Sorry, I’ll get my coat 😁

Margiknot Sun 29-Mar-26 23:12:25

There are things I could do when young but would go horribly wrong if I tried them now! Cartwheels anyone?

fancythat Sun 29-Mar-26 23:11:24

Glad I am in such good company!

I sort of assumed I was missing a lot of talent, compared to others.

rafichagran Sun 29-Mar-26 22:44:22

I can drive and ride a bike. I can use technology. I can swim well enough to enjoy the pool on holiday.
I cannot knit, sew, or crochet, draw or paint.I was a plain cook, but partner is superb, so he does the cooking.

Fallingstar Sun 29-Mar-26 22:31:31

Cumbrianmale56

I was terrible at team sports and can't run.
I can't dance and can't stand dancing.
I really struggle with mobile phones, can't text and only have a basic phone( keep this well hidden for fear of being laughed at).

I am rubbish at team sports, competitive sports terrified me when younger, I would generally drop every ball and hated being shouted at by team members.

Fallingstar Sun 29-Mar-26 22:29:18

I can’t drive, whistle, click my fingers, remember the lyrics to songs so generally make them up, cook as well as I’d like to, sew or knit, or look elegant so I aim for presentable.
None of it bothers me.
Have happily embraced the fact that there is such a word as can’t.

25Avalon Sun 29-Mar-26 22:25:41

I never have and now never will be able to do handstands.

Allira Sun 29-Mar-26 22:16:12

Gwyllt

I can fortunately no longer see the jobs that need doing

😁 👍

Gwyllt Sun 29-Mar-26 22:15:15

I can fortunately no longer see the jobs that need doing

Usedtobeblonde Sun 29-Mar-26 21:53:08

My H and I would regularly walk up to 10 miles though 7/8 was more achievable, now I can’t walk to the top of my road without a rollator, but I could do it for a long time and that can’t be taken away.
I have also learned survival as a widow, that is something one learns, probably in later life.

Bellanonna Sun 29-Mar-26 21:45:28

I can’t do lots of things either, but it doesn’t bother me. Some of them are things I used to do, which in my 86th year I probably couldn’t, ot shouldn’t do. Someone mentioned climbing stiles. I used to do that a lot but I know it would be foolish to try that now, and anyway I no longer go on those kind of walks.

One thing I’ve never been able to do is maths. I never liked the subject and I’ve got through life pretty well without it. I’ve always loved languages, my own and others, and am battling with German at the moment. But it’s an enjoyable battle.

Cumbrianmale56 Sun 29-Mar-26 21:31:52

I was terrible at team sports and can't run.
I can't dance and can't stand dancing.
I really struggle with mobile phones, can't text and only have a basic phone( keep this well hidden for fear of being laughed at).

Denise14 Sun 29-Mar-26 21:28:02

I can’t do anything. I’m hopeless. I have zero skills. Honestly. You name it, I’ve tried it, ie swimming, rock climbing, canoeing, kayaking, golf, sewing, knitting, singing, baking, cooking, drawing, crochet. God missed me when he was giving out talents ☹️

dragonfly46 Sun 29-Mar-26 21:22:21

There are lots of things I cannot do but I tell myself that if I really wanted to do them I could!

Grandma70s Sun 29-Mar-26 21:21:20

JPB123

I can’t swim in the deep end,don’t like swimming, but I have tried at so many things like sewing ,knitting ,pottery ,drawing ,painting and I have become quite good at some of them.Really chuffed if I can paint a picture and frame it.My pottery makes are ok but wouldn’t win any prizes but I get so much joy from trying.At nearly 80,I will carry on trying …I wish people wouldn’t say that they can’t draw.Just have a go, nobody is watching...

It’s “having a go” at drawing, and seeing the results, that convinces me I can’t draw.

I remember a very interesting talk by my school headmistress titled “If a thing’s worth doing, it’s worth doing badly”. It certainly gave me food for thought, but I have never been able to take her advice. If I’m not reasonably good at something, I don’t do it.

Allira Sun 29-Mar-26 21:20:52

MiniMoon
paint a wall but not a picture

I probably could paint a picture but painting a wall? How does anyone not get it all up the brush handle and up their arms?

SueDonim Sun 29-Mar-26 21:17:14

I can’t sing or play a musical instrument, though I wish I had the talent. No artistic skills either - my parents’ genes have passed me by! Nor can I ride a bike except in straight-but-wobbly lines.

I can do various crafts, garden, wallpaper (but not paint), read a map/navigate, come up with good plans. My AC told me yesterday that I am an excellent gift-giver! Not a skill I knew existed, but I’ll take it. grin

Allira Sun 29-Mar-26 21:14:35

What can others not do?

What I used to.

Although my young GP was most impressed when I could touch my toes the other day. She must be about 30 and said she can't do that!

I can't sing.
Can't tap dance although I tried.
I could probably dive but did get a nose bleed when I tried once.

Can't make scones - what is the secret?
Cannot look over the edge of a steep drop shock