Stuff Every Man Should Know

$5.99 US
Quirk Books
On sale Mar 01, 2010 | 978-1-59474-470-9
Sales rights: World
This pocket-sized guide packed with tips, tricks, and life hacks is the perfect gifts for the modern Renaissance man.

With chapters on domestic life, personal appearance, etiquette and socializing, business and pleasure, love and relationships, and health and wellness, it’s the ultimate little black book for men of all ages. You’ll find all the answers in a concise but comprehensive pocket-sized package.
 
This handy reference guide features everything the modern man should know (but might not), including:

   • How to Cast a Fishing Rod
   • How to Open a Beer Bottle Without an Opener
   • How to Ask for a Raise
   • How to Start a Simple Skincare Routine
   • How to Make Friends as an Adult
   • How to Entertain Children

Plus wardrobe essentials, advice on car maintenance, how to start a conversation in 5 languages, exercise tips, grilling instructions, and much, much more!
DOMESTIC LIFE
How to Make Your Bed
Toolbox Essentials
How to Hang a Picture Frame
How to Jump-Start a Car
How to Change a Flat Tire
The Only Knot You’ll Ever Need to Know 24
Kitchen Essentials
How to Make the Perfect Omelet
Tips for the Grill

PERSONAL APPEARANCE
Fifteen Wardrobe Essentials
How to Sew On a Button
How to Tie a Tie
How to Shave Properly
How to Maintain Facial Hair
Tips for Dealing with Hair Loss

HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Tips to Maintain a Healthy Diet
When to See a Doctor
Exercise Tips
How to Perform a Proper Push-Up
How to Perform Abdominal Crunches
How to Perform a Proper Pull-Up
How to Start a Simple Skincare Routine
How to Relax After Work
How to Get Involved in a Meaningful Cause
How to Get a Good Night’s Sleep

ETIQUETTE AND SOCIALIZING
How to Make Friends as an Adult
How to Check In with Your Friends
The Perfect Tip for Every Occasion
How to Open a Beer Bottle Without an Opener
Elements of a Basic Bar
Drinks That Change Your Breath . . .
Four Cocktails to Impress Your Date
Two Cocktails for Your Parents
Two Cocktails for a Party
How to Order a Bottle of Wine
Facts and Notes About Wine

BUSINESS AND PLEASURE
How to Ask for a Raise
How to Negotiate
How to Give a Toast
How to Make a Great First Impression
How to Give a Good Compliment
How to Build a Campfire
How to Cast a Fishing Rod
Poker Hierarchy and Glossary
How to Bet on Horses
How to Calculate Your Golf Handicap
Five Classic Golf Bets

LOVE AND RELATIONSHIPS
How to Meet Someone in Person
Five Conversation Starters in Five Languages
How to Last Ten Minutes on the Dance Floor
Tips for Taking a Great Photograph
How to Give a Great Massage
How to Hold a Baby
How to Entertain Children
How to Have a Productive Argument with Your Partner
How to Select a Gift for Your Partner
How to Buy a Diamond
How to Propose
Wedding Anniversary Chart

Stuff You Should Know But I Can’t Tell You
Introduction

Here are a few things that I learned in school:

• How to calculate the circumference of a circle
• How to ask “May I go to the bathroom?” in Spanish
• The hierarchy of leadership in the medieval feudal system

Here are a few things that I did not learn in school:

• How to calculate my golf handicap
• How to pick up a girl in Spanish
• The hierarchy of poker hands

     There’s a pattern here: School will teach you reading, writing, and everything you need to ace a standardized test. But the classroom will get you only so far—especially if you’re a man.
     Men should know how to jump-start a car. Men should know how to start a campfi re. Men should know how to order wine from a waiter in a five-star restaurant. But if you’re like most guys, no one ever told you how to do any of this stuff.
     That’s where this book comes in. It’s a compendium of all the little things guys are expected to know—from doing push-ups and shotgunning a beer to deciphering the Wall Street Journal stock index. I’ve included instructions for stocking a bar, fi lling a toolbox, and buying a basic wardrobe. Along the way I’ve included information that’s not truly essential but still kind of fun—so the next time you’re challenged to shotgun a beer, you’ll know exactly what to do.
     Now sit back, relax, and pay attention. This stuff is important.
“Fun, [and] downright useful.”—The Style Guide

About

This pocket-sized guide packed with tips, tricks, and life hacks is the perfect gifts for the modern Renaissance man.

With chapters on domestic life, personal appearance, etiquette and socializing, business and pleasure, love and relationships, and health and wellness, it’s the ultimate little black book for men of all ages. You’ll find all the answers in a concise but comprehensive pocket-sized package.
 
This handy reference guide features everything the modern man should know (but might not), including:

   • How to Cast a Fishing Rod
   • How to Open a Beer Bottle Without an Opener
   • How to Ask for a Raise
   • How to Start a Simple Skincare Routine
   • How to Make Friends as an Adult
   • How to Entertain Children

Plus wardrobe essentials, advice on car maintenance, how to start a conversation in 5 languages, exercise tips, grilling instructions, and much, much more!

Table of Contents

DOMESTIC LIFE
How to Make Your Bed
Toolbox Essentials
How to Hang a Picture Frame
How to Jump-Start a Car
How to Change a Flat Tire
The Only Knot You’ll Ever Need to Know 24
Kitchen Essentials
How to Make the Perfect Omelet
Tips for the Grill

PERSONAL APPEARANCE
Fifteen Wardrobe Essentials
How to Sew On a Button
How to Tie a Tie
How to Shave Properly
How to Maintain Facial Hair
Tips for Dealing with Hair Loss

HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Tips to Maintain a Healthy Diet
When to See a Doctor
Exercise Tips
How to Perform a Proper Push-Up
How to Perform Abdominal Crunches
How to Perform a Proper Pull-Up
How to Start a Simple Skincare Routine
How to Relax After Work
How to Get Involved in a Meaningful Cause
How to Get a Good Night’s Sleep

ETIQUETTE AND SOCIALIZING
How to Make Friends as an Adult
How to Check In with Your Friends
The Perfect Tip for Every Occasion
How to Open a Beer Bottle Without an Opener
Elements of a Basic Bar
Drinks That Change Your Breath . . .
Four Cocktails to Impress Your Date
Two Cocktails for Your Parents
Two Cocktails for a Party
How to Order a Bottle of Wine
Facts and Notes About Wine

BUSINESS AND PLEASURE
How to Ask for a Raise
How to Negotiate
How to Give a Toast
How to Make a Great First Impression
How to Give a Good Compliment
How to Build a Campfire
How to Cast a Fishing Rod
Poker Hierarchy and Glossary
How to Bet on Horses
How to Calculate Your Golf Handicap
Five Classic Golf Bets

LOVE AND RELATIONSHIPS
How to Meet Someone in Person
Five Conversation Starters in Five Languages
How to Last Ten Minutes on the Dance Floor
Tips for Taking a Great Photograph
How to Give a Great Massage
How to Hold a Baby
How to Entertain Children
How to Have a Productive Argument with Your Partner
How to Select a Gift for Your Partner
How to Buy a Diamond
How to Propose
Wedding Anniversary Chart

Stuff You Should Know But I Can’t Tell You

Excerpt

Introduction

Here are a few things that I learned in school:

• How to calculate the circumference of a circle
• How to ask “May I go to the bathroom?” in Spanish
• The hierarchy of leadership in the medieval feudal system

Here are a few things that I did not learn in school:

• How to calculate my golf handicap
• How to pick up a girl in Spanish
• The hierarchy of poker hands

     There’s a pattern here: School will teach you reading, writing, and everything you need to ace a standardized test. But the classroom will get you only so far—especially if you’re a man.
     Men should know how to jump-start a car. Men should know how to start a campfi re. Men should know how to order wine from a waiter in a five-star restaurant. But if you’re like most guys, no one ever told you how to do any of this stuff.
     That’s where this book comes in. It’s a compendium of all the little things guys are expected to know—from doing push-ups and shotgunning a beer to deciphering the Wall Street Journal stock index. I’ve included instructions for stocking a bar, fi lling a toolbox, and buying a basic wardrobe. Along the way I’ve included information that’s not truly essential but still kind of fun—so the next time you’re challenged to shotgun a beer, you’ll know exactly what to do.
     Now sit back, relax, and pay attention. This stuff is important.

Praise

“Fun, [and] downright useful.”—The Style Guide