A guy — any age — will see another guy do something and think to himself, “One day, I want to be able to do that.” In a nutshell, that’s the definition of a ‘guy skill‘. Because of how the male brain is designed, they tend to be feats of strength or physical ability. However, not all are macho clichés; many revolve around mental acuity, problem-solving, hand-eye coordination and genuine practicality.
I’ve grouped my list by Physical Skills (strength & balance), Skills with Tools (DIY & being handy) and Practical Skills (everyday & emergency). What all have in common is that they look incredible when done right, whether you are a man or a woman. So, here are 11 guy skills you should master.
Physical skills
1. Do 1-arm push ups
Besides no.4 below, this is probably the ability that I wanted to develop for as long as I can remember (I think right after watching a Bruce lee documentary as a kid). 1-arm push ups are a testament to strength and discipline, and one of the skills not very difficult to master, but still rare. Mastered the 1-arm push up? The next mountain is the 1-arm pull up.
Bro tip:
Start with basic push ups — aim for 50 in 24 hours, then 100, then more. Add 1-arm incline push ups to build up balance. Most of you can get to your first 1-arm push up in less than a month.
2. Do the butterfly stroke
This one is difficult. I have never been able to complete more than 1 or 2 strokes of the butterfly, and gave up trying to learn pretty quickly. I am still in awe of people who can complete laps of the pool doing the butterfly, especially for its very demanding dolphin kick. If you want to stand out in the pool, this stroke is one of the most visually and physically impressive ways to do so.
If you have already mastered the basics of swimming, a good swim coach can help you develop this skill.
Bro tip:
Besides the massive burst of power required for each stroke, my biggest problem was learning the head-to-toe coordination. You need nearly every major muscle group, from the chest, shoulders and arms to the back, core and legs acting in unison — familiarise your body and brain with the sequence of movements before you enter the pool.
3. Ride a horse
Bonding with any animal is an admirable trait but horses are especially majestic creatures. When you ride one, you are doing something that your warrior, nomad and explorer ancestors did as far back as 6,000 years ago. Taking the reins confidently on a horse requires empathy with the animal, as well as mental and physical fitness to maintain control and balance. When you get it right, the choppy thud thud sound that a galloping horse makes is wonderful to hear when you’re the one riding it.
There are several saddle schools in Singapore, including the Bukit Timah Saddle Club, Singapore Turf Club Riding Centre and the Singapore Polo Club.
Bro tip:
You know your butt will be sore from riding but be prepared to have your thighs hurt like crazy from gripping the horse. Also, breathe easy; horses sense tension. And if you really want to look like a hero (and also risk broken bones), there is always the moving dismount.
Skills with tools
4. Throw a knife or axe accurately
Want to be a god? This is the gold standard. I still remember this old Encik showing me how to send his machete flying into a tree trunk with a satisfying thunk on Tekong, aeons ago. While I never quite mastered it (because where are you supposed to practice??), if you find a good safe spot, the technique itself is pretty simple and can be learned in a few afternoons. When you are in the woods, throwing an axe into a tree trunk makes for a captivating performance. Be prepared to have everyone ask you to teach them.
You can try the basics safely at Axe Factor.
Bro tip:
I haven’t learned this one yet so the tip is to watch this very easy-to-understand video.
5. Navigate with a map and compass
GPS and online maps may lull you into thinking that map-and-compass navigation is a thing of the past but it’s still one of the most practical skills to have. Imagine looking at your map and compass, identifying where you are, and then pointing, “We go that way.” Whether you’re on foot or driving, knowing how to read a map will never go out of style or out of use.
Bro tip:
Pacing (an estimate of your travel speed) is the basis of navigation, especially when on foot. Make a list of landmarks that you will pass on the planned route and an estimate of the time you expect to see them based on your pace. Two missed landmarks mean you’re probably off course — stop and re-orientate.
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6. Fire a gun accurately
I know we all complain about NS, but it’s an opportunity to learn many of the skills that others shell out a lot of money for. Firing a real military-grade weapon is probably chief among these skills. It’s not as coveted a skill in Singapore as in other countries because most of us handle guns during our stint in the Army… but it’s still very cool to repeatedly hit the bullseye when you visit a gun range overseas.
Bro tip:
1. Treat all guns as if they are loaded. 2. Never point a gun at anything/anyone that is not the target. 3. Safety switch on & finger off the trigger until you have the target area in your sights.
7. Fix a leaky tap or pipe
Besides the cost of a leaking tap that can send up to 2 litres of water per hour down the literal drain, how do you stand that drip drip sound all day and night? Men are supposed to be the handymen and plumbing problems are one of the most common recurring problems in any home. Plumbers can be expensive and many minor leaks can be repaired with some simple DIY skills and basic tools.
Here is a good place to learn the basics.
Bro tip:
I learned this the hard way — always ensure the water supply is turned off at the source before you begin any plumbing work.
Practical skills
8. Start a fire without matches
This is a ‘guy’ skill because making a fire, from a campfire to a barbeque, almost always falls in the male lap. Lighters and charcoal are all fine and good but even when you have them, it can be a great bonding experience to try to start a fire without any of the common tools. Learn 9 ways to start a fire without matches here, and the odds are you carry everything you need with you already.
Bro tip:
Singapore has one of the highest rates of myopia and spectacles are one of the best tools to improvise a fire — you or someone in your group will likely have one handy.
9. Change a car tyre quickly and safely
Modern run flat tyres have made roadside tyre changes largely a thing of the past but when there is a flat, the guy is (rightly) supposed to take care of it. Fortunately, changing a tyre is relatively simple even if it requires some elbow grease. Remember to always stop at a safe location, switch on your hazard lights, and to put a hazard sign behind your vehicle at a safe distance. All vehicles are different so get familiar with your car’s equipment, as well as the sequence in which each step is performed.
Bro tip:
I came across a lady changing her flat tyre when she already had the car partly jacked up. I took over and changed the tyre but when I started winching the jack down, I realised she had attached it to a random part of the undercarriage instead of one of the designated anchor points; the car could have fallen on me at any time. Always learn where to attach the jack before you start.
10. Finger whistle
This one is still on my to-do list, mainly because I don’t really relish the thought of sticking fingers in my mouth. Whether you are cheering your favourite sports team or just trying to get someone’s attention, the finger whistle does the job stylishly.
Bro tip:
Please wash your hands before you try.
11. Ride a motorbike safely
I learned to ride a motorbike from YouTube… after I got a motorbike. It was many years ago and not in Singapore, but that’s how easy it actually is — if you can ride a bicycle, you’ll pick up riding a motorbike quite easily. Riding opens up an entirely new way to explore the world, with very little between you and the wind and the great outdoors. If nothing else, you will be able to rent a scooter legally when you visit Bali and weave through the gridlock to party at Finn’s.
The 3 schools to learn are ComfortDelGro Driving Centre (CDC) in Ubi, Bukit Batok Driving Centre (BBDC) in Bukit Gombak and Singapore Safety Driving Centre (SSDC) in Woodlands. If you pass all your lessons at first go, a basic 2B motorcycle license costs less than S$1,000, and takes between 4 months and 1 year, depending on your schedule and class availability.
Bro tip:
The tip I found most helpful from the abovementioned YouTube video was that once you put the motorcycle in first gear and release the clutch slowly, the bike starts to crawl — all you have to do is find an open area and just crawl forward at that really slow pace. Practice that, add braking as needed, and you’ll gain incredible riding confidence within just an hour.
Honourable mentions
That’s not an exhaustive list by any measure — lots of other ‘guy skills’ will help you live a fuller, more rewarding, more fun and just cooler life. Here are some of them:
- Scuba dive – explore the oceans
- Skydive – conquer the skies
- Perform CPR – hopefully you’ll never have to use it, but be prepared all the same
- Solve a Rubik’s cube – it’s all about knowing a set of rules and following them, even if it takes ages
- Juggle – If you have to babysit, this will keep the little ones entertained
- Give a speech – from the best man’s speech to an audience of your peers, develop the confidence and skill to hold attention with your words
- Know at least 1 subject very well – try to be the most informed person you know, whatever the topic may be, and share that knowledge
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