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Why Are Some People 'Handy' ?

post #1 of 39
4/24/08 at 5:13am
Thread Starter 
I have no idea what made me start wondering about this, but here goes...
Neither one of my parents or their siblings ever exhibited any ability or desire to fix stuff or use tools, same thing for two 1st cousins.
Ever since I was a kid, I have always been curious about how things work. New toys were first dis-assembled before use (sometimes that rendered them useless but hey, how else do you learn ?).
As a teen I would hang pictures/window shades in my parent's friends' apartments. I then went to a 'technical school' and have been working on 'mainframe computers' for 30 years. I change the oil in my car myself, do home improvements (electrical/plumbing, etc, etc ...) I look at a rats nest of wires and can't wait to dive in. I'm mentioning all this not to toot my horn, but to give examples of what I'm talking about.
I marvel at people who have trouble with this stuff (look it's easy, here I'll show you).
Is being 'handy'or any other trait for that matter, something that your are born with, or something you learn, or ... ?
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post #2 of 39
4/24/08 at 5:16am

Re: Why Are Some People 'Handy' ?

Interesting question.

I would say that you're born with an inquisitve nature which then propels you to explore how things work which in turn makes you "Handy". If that makes sense. I too consider myself "Handy", but I come from a line of "Handy" people.
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post #3 of 39
4/24/08 at 5:56am

Re: Why Are Some People 'Handy' ?

I've considered this question a lot, and I've never come up with an answer. I'm very handy, but I had to be growing up. When my car broke down, my father's answer was always something like "you know where the tools are." I also worked on a farm as a teen for an old guy who still probably had the first penny he ever made. If something broke, I generally had to make a go of fixing it, and on the cheap too.

On the other hand, I've seen enough people who are not handy and can't seem to get over that hump no matter what they do to suspect that it is a knack of some sort. I used to think I could do a lot of what I can do just because I'm unafraid to tear into anything (computers, v12 Jaguars, the list goes on). However, I've seen some people try very hard and even tried to help some of them and have seen no progress. I'm guessing it's just a sort of natural talent that some have and some don't (with a million degrees in the middle).
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post #4 of 39
4/24/08 at 6:48am

Re: Why Are Some People 'Handy' ?

My dad ain't no handyman, that's fo' sure. But I can fix stuff when I put my mind to it. I think it helps to have a mind that is able to focus on the task at hand and not get ahead of yourself. Some people just see a confusing mess ahead of them, and give up, others can see the mental flow chart that guide their actions from step-to-step.
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post #5 of 39
4/24/08 at 7:06am

Re: Why Are Some People 'Handy' ?

You can figure things out when you have to. When I bought my house, I had no choice to figure out how to do alot of things. I started watching home improvements shows, bought a few books, but most of it was seeing how things were put together while tearing it down - then putting it back up.

I dont mess with eletrical or plumbing though
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post #6 of 39
4/24/08 at 7:13am

Re: Why Are Some People 'Handy' ?

I wold consider my self "handy" Last year I built a house, When I was younger I built "monster" 4X4 trucks, I am a journeyman tool & die maker, etc... I consider it a God given talent. It is my strong trait and comes naturally. It has its down side though. My $$$ are a disaster because I am always working on projects that cost money. This year I am working on a weather station and web site.
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post #7 of 39
4/24/08 at 7:29am

Re: Why Are Some People 'Handy' ?

I was told it has to do with spatial thinking. Some people have an inate ability to look at something and see just how it is put together and/or how it works. When I struggled with multiplication back in the 4th grade, I had a great teacher who recognized I was a spatial thinker and taught me how to figure out my times tables on a number line instead of memorizing them.

Even today, as a Software Engineer, I often have to picture exactly what an application is physically doing to computer memory before I can wrap my head around it. Other SE's I work with do their best thinking in the abstract and if I try to explain to them how I visualize an app they look at me like I'm mentally defective. Now admittedly they are the types who can't change a lightbulb without a manual, but sometimes I do wish I could think like them.
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post #8 of 39
4/24/08 at 8:08am

Re: Why Are Some People 'Handy' ?

I'm handy because I'm a cheap bastige. I derive little pleasure from doing repairs and upgrades but I derive even less pleasure from handing over buckets of cash for jobs that I, a reasonably intelligent fellow, should be able to figure out. Living in an affluent community I shake my head when neighbors hire handymen to replace one or two slats on a fence or fix a leaky faucet. My Midwestern, blue collar upbringing just won't allow me to entertain such thoughts.
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post #9 of 39
4/24/08 at 8:35am

Re: Why Are Some People 'Handy' ?

I would say, handy people were always encouraged to tinker and make mistakes.

Most of the non-tinkerers I know expect things to work the first time.

Most handy folks have gotten used to failing and just not afraid to tackle problems.
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post #10 of 39
4/24/08 at 8:41am

Re: Why Are Some People 'Handy' ?

I've always liked fixing things myself as well. I just kind of get a kick out of it and have always had a knack for it. I think the spatial perception thing my be something. I have just always been able to look at things and see how they work. I'm also willing to accept when something is beyond me. One of the springs on my garage door broke. I'm not touching that job. Do something like that without really knowing what you are doing and you could lose a hand.

I was never encouraged to tinker, and my parents are the type who call a plumber to clear a clogged p-trap.
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post #11 of 39
4/24/08 at 8:42am

Re: Why Are Some People 'Handy' ?

I'm selectively handy. I do great with electronics, not so great with cars and things with motors (funny, since my dad's a former mechanic). As someone else said, having a home and knowing certain things can be done yourself makes you dive in out of necessity and financial constraints. Outside of the necessity-driven handiness, I find much of what I know is driven by personal interest. I've never been into cars, so I don't have that much interest in how they work, fixing them myself, etc.
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post #12 of 39
4/24/08 at 9:23am

Re: Why Are Some People 'Handy' ?

I think it's a cross between Kreisler's and Jeff's answers, with it mostly ending up that some people aren't afraid to mess with something and make mistakes.

That's where I fail as being handy. I'm afraid of messing something up, or spending a lot of money and then doing it wrong. Now, if someone shows me how to do something, I can then usually pick it up and do it thereafter.

I'm trying to get better about gathering up the courage to tackle some projects, but I envy those of you out there that are fearless, in that respect.
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post #13 of 39
4/24/08 at 9:37am

Re: Why Are Some People 'Handy' ?

Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnRice
I was not encourages to tinker, and my parents are the type who call a plumber to clear a clogged p-trap.

I wasn't encouraged to tinker either. Matter of fact, after taking apart the telephone, the stereo, and the vacuum cleaner, my parents downright discouraged me.
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post #14 of 39
4/24/08 at 9:45am

Re: Why Are Some People 'Handy' ?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff Gatie
I wasn't encouraged to tinker either. Matter of fact, after taking apart the telephone, the stereo, and the vacuum cleaner, my parents downright discouraged me.
I remember when I was 10yrs old I got tired of the push mower not starting. I decided to find out why. With in about an hour the entire engine was in pieces, piston and everything, all over the porch. I will never forget the look on my dad's face as he asked just what did I think I was doing. I replied that the mower wouldn't start. He said that it better when I was finished!! I found the issue and put it back together. Started on the second pull.
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post #15 of 39
4/24/08 at 10:35am

Re: Why Are Some People 'Handy' ?

Quote:
Originally Posted by drobbins
I remember when I was 10yrs old I got tired of the push mower not starting. I decided to find out why. With in about an hour the entire engine was in pieces, piston and everything, all over the porch. I will never forget the look on my dad's face as he asked just what did I think I was doing. I replied that the mower wouldn't start. He said that it better when I was finished!! I found the issue and put it back together. Started on the second pull.

"Gee Dad, I only took it apart so I could see how it works."

"So, how does it work?"

"Well, it kind of doesn't work right now."
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post #16 of 39
4/24/08 at 10:39am

Re: Why Are Some People 'Handy' ?

Quote:
Originally Posted by drobbins
I found the issue and put it back together. Started on the second pull.
And what was your dad's reaction to THAT?

Too bad you still had to mow the lawn...

I've always been a tinkerer myself. And like others here, the rest of the family was pretty much inept with modern gadgets. While everyone else's attitude was "This doesn't work. What do I do?", my attitude was, and still is, "This doesn't work. Where's the screwdriver?".
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post #17 of 39
4/24/08 at 11:05am
Thread Starter 

Re: Why Are Some People 'Handy' ?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Francois Caron
And what was your dad's reaction to THAT?

Too bad you still had to mow the lawn...

I've always been a tinkerer myself. And like others here, the rest of the family was pretty much inept with modern gadgets. While everyone else's attitude was "This doesn't work. What do I do?", my attitude was, and still is, "This doesn't work. Where's the screwdriver?".
Yeah, I usually take the stance that says 'hey it's already broken, how much worse could it get' ?
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post #18 of 39
4/24/08 at 11:21am

Re: Why Are Some People 'Handy' ?

Quote:
And what was your dad's reaction to THAT?
I guess he was impressed. The next month he gave me a new water pump for the pick-up and asked me to change it out. Once again I got it fixed. They were easier to work on in the 70s though.

Quote:
Too bad you still had to mow the lawn...
Now my son cuts the grass and I can't understand why he dosn't know how to put a wheel on when it falls off. I guess he is wired differently.

Quote:
Yeah, I usually take the stance that says 'hey it's already broken, how much worse could it get' ?
Same here. If it doesn't work now and I mess with it and it still doesn't work, nothing is lost except time. Most of the time it is simple things that fix the issue.
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post #19 of 39
4/24/08 at 1:37pm

Re: Why Are Some People 'Handy' ?

Quote:
I would say that you're born with an inquisitve nature which then propels you to explore how things work which in turn makes you "Handy"
I consider myself inquisitive, that's why I am a EE. I just don't like manual labor.

--
H
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post #20 of 39
4/24/08 at 4:53pm

Re: Why Are Some People 'Handy' ?

Interesting thread. I'm a DIYer by nature and like many here grew up taking anything and everything apart to see how it worked. I'm not afraid to fail b/c I know that in all likelihood I'm not going to get it right the first time but that I'll learn from that mistake and eventually get it working...and the next time it'll be done properly having gained the experience. I grew up on a farm so as someone else said you learn young to fix everything on the fly and I really feel blessed that my father gave me that knack as it baffles me some of the things my friends pay pro's to do in their homes etc
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post #21 of 39
4/24/08 at 5:05pm

Re: Why Are Some People 'Handy' ?

I would consider myself to be "handy". I just fixed the wiper linkage in my son's Sentra this past weekend. I'm a EE. When it comes to being handy I think of the following traits. It takes a certain amount of courage and confidence. That is you need to be comfortable going into unknown territory and confident of your abilities to be able to successfully tackle something. You also need to be the type of person who enjoys the satisfaction of hands on problem solving. People that are handy feel a sense of accomplishment and reward in fixing or building something with their hands in addition to their intellect. Finally perhaps being a bit frugal helps. That is, why should I pay someone for something I can do myself.
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post #22 of 39
4/24/08 at 5:17pm

Re: Why Are Some People 'Handy' ?

I suspect a fair number of people who aren't handy suffer from learned helplessness to some extent. I never had that luxury, fortunately.

Sometimes people amuse me with their unhandiness. I once visited a friend and watched with great entertainment as he tried to get a screw into a bathroom fixture. After about twenty minutes, I offered to help and got it to go in on the first try. The really fun fact here is that the guy later earned his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering, and specializes in designing bolts. I guess the design aspect doesn't transfer over to the mechanical aspect.

Edit: Actually, taking it a step further, it annoys the hell out of me when things are made deliberately difficult. Example, you'd assume that reprogramming a key fob is some sort of high tech task that you need special training to perform, just because they talk about "reprogramming" and bring it to the dealer and so forth. I bought a used Infiniti and the key fob was bad, so I ordered one off of Ebay for a few bucks. It came with instructions, and it was so simple it was astounding (really). I have no idea why it wasn't in the manual (or maybe it was and I just didn't look hard enough ). I hear a dealer will charge a decent amount of money for this, though.
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post #23 of 39
4/24/08 at 7:39pm

Re: Why Are Some People 'Handy' ?

This thread reminds me of a quote from The Red Green Show:

"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy."

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post #24 of 39
4/24/08 at 7:52pm

Re: Why Are Some People 'Handy' ?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Joseph J.D
This thread reminds me of a quote from The Red Green Show:

"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy."

I'm a man,
But I can change.
If I have to.
I guess.

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post #25 of 39
4/24/08 at 8:41pm

Re: Why Are Some People 'Handy' ?

I've always been a hardcore DIY'er. I fix stuff for a living, and trying to instill that natural "I think I can" attitude into my subordinates can be tough. Since we often play the role of the "cleaner," the "final answer" if you will, I'm always asking them "if you can't fix it, who will?" My own mindset (and skill set developed over the years) comes in quite, um, handy. I like the "runner's high" I get from problem solving.

I think I picked it up from my grandfather. He would never have considered calling someone out to do something that he was physically able to, even when he wasn't really physically able any more.

These days, I'm so stubborn, someone is probably going to have to have an intervention on me to stop from trying to cure my own cancer, should I ever come down with it.
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post #26 of 39
4/24/08 at 9:36pm

Re: Why Are Some People 'Handy' ?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Graz
When it comes to being handy I think of the following traits. It takes a certain amount of courage and confidence. That is you need to be comfortable going into unknown territory and confident of your abilities to be able to successfully tackle something. You also need to be the type of person who enjoys the satisfaction of hands on problem solving. People that are handy feel a sense of accomplishment and reward in fixing or building something with their hands in addition to their intellect. Finally perhaps being a bit frugal helps. That is, why should I pay someone for something I can do myself.

All sounds about right. Many of you handymen are engineers, but I'm the oddity: a lawyer. Reminds me of back in university, in our hall (sort of dorm/frat cross) there was a so-called Maintenance Crew, which would do handyman type jobs in fixing stuff around the hall, e.g. change light bulbs, but it undertook some bigger projects as well, such as fixing venetian blinds, refinishing rusty ceiling fan blades etc. I was one of the few non-engineering students on th crew. There was also a Tech Team, which was basically like a crew of roadies for concerts (set up all that audio equipment for the band, or choir). I was literally the only non-engineer on the team.

Years ago, after our first PC was basically obsolete, I built our next PC from parts bought individually (and some cannibalising of the old one). Recently my 5th Gen iPod video went on the fritz: it still plays, but it can't connect via Dock to the Mac, so I can't offload anything already on it and I didn't back up elsewhere. I was able to take it apart, get the necessary enclosure and copy stuff off to transfer to a new iPod. My project for this weekend (if I have time) will be to jury-rig a fix for the pedal-bin, which I broke last week.

Not bad for a shyster, eh? But IIRC my grandfather was, literally, a handyman (for a living -- I do remember him tinkering around the house).
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post #27 of 39
4/24/08 at 9:36pm

Re: Why Are Some People 'Handy' ?

Quote:
Originally Posted by drobbins
Now my son cuts the grass and I can't understand why he dosn't know how to put a wheel on when it falls off. I guess he is wired differently.
Have you sat him down and shown him? I wasn't wired to be handy, but when I got to a certain age my dad had me helping him with repairs around the house. Eventually the critical thinking took root, and I was able to figure things out for myself.
Almost all of the furniture in my parents' house was built by my dad and stained/polyed by my mom. The furniture in my apartment is a hodge-podge of garage and estate sale finds and stuff I've built. My television antenna is a custom job, and all my laptop peripherals are housed in a wooden tower that was also a custom job.
Growing up, the only thing we didn't mess with was the electrical and the grinder pump. (And apparently, sometimes even the electrical. When the bathroom breaker switch shorted out, in addition to really antiquated cloth-insulated wiring, the electrician found a cord my dad had cut off an old lamp and soldered it in as a replacement.)
Being young and on a tight budget, being handy means I can accomplish a lot more for a lot less than my friends who were never around tools growing up. Some of my best training in being "handy" was my lemon of a first car. It was in the shop plenty, too, but I learned a lot about cars fixing the things that didn't involve a circuit board.
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post #28 of 39
4/25/08 at 4:03am

Re: Why Are Some People 'Handy' ?

Quote:
Have you sat him down and shown him?
Let's see:
#1 - A wheel with a hole in it.
#2 - A shaft that fits in the hole.
#3 - A flat washer that has the same size hole as the wheel.
#4 - The cotter pin is missing
#5 - The other side is assembled as an example.
I would hope a straight "A" student in high school honor classes could figure it out. Especially one who, when younger, has 6-5gal buckets of Legos and could build anything he saw on a si-fi movie in minutes.
I think once he gets out on his own and has to fix things, he will. Currently,he is a teen and it is too easy to let Dad do it. As others here have said, they fix things because they can't see paying someone else to do it.
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post #29 of 39
4/25/08 at 4:47am

Re: Why Are Some People 'Handy' ?

I think that, in the majority of cases, being handy is something one is born with. I believe this not because I'm handy myself, but because, like Kurt, I've encountered so many people who are so unteachably UN-handy that, had I not actually had to deal with them, I would be hard-pressed to believe such mechanically unteachable people even existed.

Maybe it's the UN-handy trait that is the exception one is born with...
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post #30 of 39
4/25/08 at 8:49am

Re: Why Are Some People 'Handy' ?

I think it has a lot to do with fear. Some people fear trying new things and looking foolish. Other people are afraid of anything to do with electricity. Personally I'm pretty comfortable with anything electrical. I HATE plumbing though because there's zero margin for error and you always feel like you're fighting the clock.
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