How to tie a necktie
Okay, here’s some proof. As you might already know, my girlfriend is a busy wedding photographer and I’m her second photographer a lot of the time. One of my jobs is to focus on the groom and the groomsmen. I’d say that probably 50-60% of these young guys have no idea how to tie a neck tie. And here’s the kicker…. Their fathers don’t either. So I end up tying everyone’s ties, (even for dad), handling the pocket squares and pinning the boutonnieres.
Now, before you judge me for thinking I’m judging them, I’m not. Neckties aren’t important to everyone and that’s perfectly fine. But, there are occasions that most of us face at least once a year where a tie is required. Teaching your boys how to tie a simple knot, even if it’s the only knot they’ll ever learn, will last them a lifetime. So, if you haven’t already guessed it, the first thing on today’s list of what your father should’ve taught you is, tying a necktie. If you need a super quick tutorial, I made a video on how to tie a tie. I also have one on a bow tie.
Change a flat tire
The next thing that your father should’ve taught you, is how to change a flat tire on your car. There’s way too many young dudes running around out there that have no idea how to swap out a flat tire. In my opinion, that should be required once they approach the age to start driving. And yes, I realize a lot of cars come with run-flat tires that should be able to get you a lot further down the road to a safe place to stop. But you still have to change it.
But what if his car is older and doesn’t have run-flats? What if he’s riding with his girlfriend after dark and she gets a flat? Having the basic knowledge to change a flat tire allows that boy to fend for himself, handle the situation and avoid feeling helpless. Especially since everything he needs to change that tire is right there in the car with him.
How to shave
And, let me just say for the record, that everything on this list was NOT taught to me by my father. I had to figure it out for myself. And that’s fine, I mean I think I turned out okay, but how much nicer would it would’ve been to have my Dad show me this stuff? Priceless, right? Okay, the next one on my list is grooming and shaving. Once again, my Dad didn’t teach me how to shave. I think it was my older brother that showed me, but I was like 14, so the lesson came a little bit early.
Just about every young man, at some point wants to look older, for various reasons. And one of the ways they attempt to look older is by growing facial hair. Whether it’s a mustache or a beard, he’ll try something. So that’s when the lesson should happen. Get that boy the proper tools and show him how to use ‘em.
I don’t necessarily care if it’s a standard blade or an electric razor. Just make sure he knows how to use it, and knows how to keep whatever he’s got going looking neat. If he needs a multi-purpose trimmer I’d recommend the one from today’s sponsor, Brio. I’ve made multiple videos talking about Brio and how cool these things are. It has an adjustable titanium rake, and it also comes with a bunch of different guard attachments that take it all the way out to 18mm for longer hair.
They also have a new zero blade attachment for precise trimming so he can keep nice clean lines on that new beard of his. They also have a new nose hair trimmer. You guys know by now that I’m always asking you to look in the mirror make sure your nose hair is in check. This is a good lesson to teach your son also. So if you, or your son could use something like this and want to get one, don’t wait. They gave us a special link that I’ll leave right here that also gets you a great deal if you want to go pick one up. But, you gotta go through that special link for the discount to be applied.
Nothing in life is gauranteed
The next very important thing that might not be being taught right now, is, that nothing in life is guaranteed. If he wants something, he needs to bust his ass for it. Because if he didn’t work for it, he won’t value it because he doesn’t deserve it. But if he puts in the work to have whatever it is that he wants, he’ll take care of it and value it a lot more because he’ll KNOW the work that went into getting it, and the feeling of achievement and accomplishment because he did it.
And don’t underestimate that feeling of accomplishment, because it’s one of the best feelings you can have, especially as a young man. It teaches him that he CAN do it, even if he didn’t think he could. It teaches him that hard work is good, and also rewarded. And that work and reward go hand in hand.
Leading by example
This brings us to the next item which is leading by example. This includes honesty and treating people the way that you wanna be treated. Because if you treat people badly or disrespectfully, you don’t get to complain when they treat you badly. This goes for your friends, family members, teachers and strangers. You want people to listen to you? Start by listening to other people. You want to get something done? Don’t rely on someone else to do it for you. Dig in and do it yourself. Focus on the solution, not the problem. And at the same time, you’ll show the people around you that you’re not above getting your hands dirty, because nobody is.
How to dress well
Okay the next one, because afterall, this is a style channel, But your father should’ve taught you that the way you dress and your overall appearance speaks for you. Way before you even say a word to someone, they’ve already formed an opinion about you simply based on your appearance. You don’t have to like it, but that’s how the brain is wired. Now, it’s not about wearing things that aren’t cool or trendy for kids that age, but it’s more about just not being a slob.
These young guys will hopefully learn, eventually, that paying a little attention to the clothing they wear can open up doors and opportunities that might not happen otherwise. And the sooner he can learn that from his father and wrap his head around it, the better. It’s my belief that one of the goals of a father is to help prepare their sons for real life and the ups and downs that go along with it. And the more they can be prepared, the better off they’ll be. Let me know in the comments some of the life lessons you’ve taught your kids, or that your parents have taught you. I’d love to hear from you. And with that my friends, live well, and I’ll see you in the next one.
