GTKY 5/7

nlc8424

Just for fun: 

What is something you think everyone should do at least once in their lives?

starla

Oooh I like this question @nlc8424! The first thing that popped into my mind was going camping. It really makes you appreciate modern conveniences and also forces you to take the time to make food. I love making coffee when camping. It's so satisfying to have that hot cup of coffee in the fresh air.

spottedginger

Be graded/ rated on debating for the opposite side of an issue that they feel very strongly about. Our society is losing its grasp on both empathy and the idea that someone disagreeing with you does not make them dumber than you or a worse person. It simply means that their life experiences have led them to another point of view. Whatever happened to people disagreeing but moving in with a respect for the opponent and appreciation for the points they raised? 

knitknitread

Work in fast food/retail/customer service/etc. 

starla

knitknitread said:

Work in fast food/retail/customer service/etc. 

OMG yes!!!

[Deleted User]

Love these!  @starla @spottedginger @knitknitread

I may be biased, but I think everyone should attend the Opera at least once.  I think it can be such a misunderstood and underappreciated artform these days, when really it's so entertaining, moving, in some cases with some really incredibly beautiful and over-the-top sets, (think castles, pyramids, recreated countryside etc. I even saw live horses used onstage!), and not to mention subtitles, so it's easier to follow along.  It was a new experience for DH when he met me, but he actually really enjoyed it!

Lcardinal04

Work on a farm of some sort. See the effort and work that goes into agriculture. 

@knitknitread as someone whose first job was a very busy double-drive through lane McDonalds.... YESSSSS!

jaylii

Travel internationally. Travel is a wonderful experience and I think everyone should experience a culture other than their own. 

jumpy57

These are all awesome!

Volunteer for some sort of event/charity/fundraiser volunteers are always needed at these things and it's usually really easy to help out and a lot of fun

sclarke7

These are all so good! couple of my faves: @knitknitread@Lcardinal04 as someone who has worked on a farm/in the restaurant business before I totally agree with you guys. Experiencing the daily grind of these days has taught me so much and made me have the work ethic I do today  
 I'm gonna +1 on travel internationally also @jaylii. See the world and do it before you have to be a real adult Even if you don't think you can afford it/not a good time. If you put it off its gonna be real hard when real life begins IMO.

jaylii

@sclarke7 MH and I have been together 11 years and married 8 years this year. We realized when we got married that there were things that we wanted to do before we had children. Travel was one of them. We've traveled to six countries and taken a lot of trips in the U.S. over the last decade. I'm so glad we did and I hope we can travel with children as well. I think if I hadn't met my husband in my early 20s I would've joined the peace corps. Pre baby I was still interested, but my husband was not.  

SkilledSailor

Going off of what @jaylii said, traveling alone (for pleasure not work). Obviously be safe about it but there's something so freeing and empowering about going on a trip just for yourself! Even if it's just a weekend. 

nlc8424

Also +1 to working in customer service/retail/restaurant at some point. Very valuable experience to have.

I think everyone should take a basic cooking class or wine/food pairing class. Cooking is such an important skill to have and even a basic class can really instill some confidence in the kitchen. A wine/food pairing class is just fun, even if it's at a vineyard, but really enlightening to learn about your taste palate and what purposely goes well together.

pourmeanothermocktail

Do something (sport, whatnot) that's very physically challenging to you. That really varies per person, but a runner might set a goal of a half or full marathon. Someone else might set a swimming goal, a biking goal, or even a really tough yoga routine or difficult rock wall to climb to complete. But something that takes months of prep work and training to be able to do. So you can really be prepared for how to look long term, train appropriately, and really conquer something without giving up.

Also, on a lighter note-take a hot air balloon ride-it's so different from any other way to fly.

klj0228

Find something you are passionate about and really allow yourself the time to study or practice it. It can be a hobby, your job or volunteer/charity work. Just spend your time doing it. It will make you a happier person to be around and might inspire those you love to find their passion. 

MandyMost

Live “someplace else”. Someplace where people don’t know you, and you can’t go running to friends/family whenever you have a little hiccup. Someplace where you have a chance to figure out your own identity separate from the way people who’ve known you forever define you. 

stothi

Such a good topic!!!

Along the lines of farm and cooking class, I was going to say keep a garden (and preferably a few chickens as well) to learn how to see a thing through from start to finish that requires daily care and to appreciate what really goes into making food happen. Then cook something from your own garden so you can say "I made that. I MADE that." 

Big +1 to international travel, working retail/fast food, farm and camping/volunteering/traveling some where without all the modern comforts of home. You'll never appreciate a hot shower and clean drinking water like you will after being somewhere that it's not readily available.

I also think everyone should do a team activity at least once. A play, a sport, a volunteer group, something that has you working along side people you might not have ever met/spent time with otherwise.

lisac113

@mandymost That is exactly what I was going to write.  Live "somewhere else".  Doesn't have to be out of country, but somewhere you have to figure out life on your own .

mrsman2018

Lcardinal04  Love this one. I grew up on a farm and when I moved away to the city I realized how big the disconnect was between people and their food. I worked in agricultural PR and I had a booth set up at an ag fair to teach city kids, blah blah blah, and these kids couldn't name vegetables or what food comes from a pig. We had a pig there and an older kid asked if it was a dog ....