Living in Canada where millions of children have tried to stick their tongue to a metal fence or post at least once in their lives, we were taught either in school, by our parents or by some quick thinking friends to run warm water over the skin/tongue when it got stuck to something frozen. Up here, I suppose it's just common knowledge.

I watch people do things, and I ask questions....always did.
When I was a child, I did this with parents and grandparents. I guess I was lucky in that they always had time to answer them.

I didn't know you could freeze your toungue to metal until I watched 'Dumb and Dumber'. I saw it again in the 'You'll Shoot Eye Out' Christmas movie. Before that, it never woud have occured to me to stick my toungue to metal. Anyway, I would have used warm water to remove the dog too.

I'd have to say that most of the good things in life I've learned from people who took the time and patience to explain or care.

We use alot of ice cubes. They always melt way to fast in my room temp drinks. The One time I wish the ice would stay.
Back in the early 80's when it snowed so much and so high, I used warm water to de-ice my door handle on my car. I was just out of college and no one in our building had a garage. Often I couldn't get my key in the lock (no toggle back then). More warm water to the rescue. My hands took a beating back then!

The same as Monica (and most other "curious" folks) by watching and asking lots of questions. My parents and grandparents were country folk who had lots of common sense remedies for most anything. I am so fortunate.... they taught me what they knew.....and I listened closely, too.

~Kathy~

Every once in a while I'll impress my kids with my wisdom (I savor it). I might answer a science or social studies homework question off the top of my head, or answer a Jeopary or Millionaire question correctly. I'll toss out some bit of knowledge, or solve their problem with my wisdom, and they are impressed enough to say "Wow, Mom, how did you know that?" I always, always answer "I read a lot." I actually remember my mom saying the same thing! LOL!

So a lot of what I "just know" is something I really did read somewhere. Sometimes I read it right here! ;o)

By observing. By reading books. By asking questions to those around me. And now, by using the Internet as a reading resource.

Funny how no one so far has said they learned anything in school. LOL.

Some stuff I learned through the School of Hard Knocks, but usually by just being curious and asking questions.

My mother was very knowledgable about many things, and had a lot of common sense. She taught me a lot, and I wish I had paid more attention because I could have learned more. As for my own interests, I have always read and studied anything that I was interested in.

I attended some excellent public schools, including the State University of New York. I also had a great job for 30 years, met and knew lots of people. I have learned from my own experience and from other people's experiences. And I read a lot, when I'm not hanging around KT.

I've learned from many different sources. School, the school of hard knocks (learning the hard way) being a major one. LOL. Also, reading a lot. The reading now is mainly here on the computer. Watching someone else as they do something, and remembering it, or asking them about it. Like I had a friend re-caulk my shower. She told me an easy way to clean/brighten the floor of my shower. Plug the drain, and fill it with clorox water. That is one I should have thought of myself. But a plumber told her that one.
Leslie

I would say a lot of what I know I learned from my parents and other adults growing up. Especially the common sense type things. And also learned from my own mistakes. Later I learned quite a bit from reading and asking questions. Today I am still learning by surfing the web. How did we ever get along without it?
Clare

I love Stephanie in Ga's answer. Make me a duplicate. Sometimes my family seems totally amazed that I know a bit of trivia. Sometimes though, I just tell them, "pffft...that is COMMON knowledge, where have YOU been?" LOL A lot of what I know, the common sense things, I just "know". Like using baking soda as a mild scrubber. DH is mechanically challenged--I am not, therefore I am a hero a lot with him. LOL I have also been known to say, "sit down, put your seatbelt on and jump on the information super highway!". Yes, I can be sarcastic. Well, maybe just a little. (Just don't expect miracles from me if it has to do with math or what all those little lines on a tape measure are all about. To me, it is 43 inches and 6 lines!)

Most things I learned from just being out in the world. When I got my first job I realized that I was pretty clueless about things, although I was very 'book smart'. It was a real eye opener since I had lead a fairly sheltered life up until then.

Today, the internet is my biggest learning tool.

When I was 9 and waiting for the city bus after school, I stuck my tongue to the wrought iron fence at Bannerman Park (Karen, you'll know where that is). When the bus came the driver opened the door, and he laughed at me. He told everyone on the bus and they all laughed as well. Then he closed the door and went on, still laughing. After I got unstuck (hot breath and lots of saliva)I had to walk home. I told my grandmother I had missed the bus because I was too embarassed to tell her the real reason. She would have laughed as well!!

I learned a lot by just listening. Listening to my parents and their friends and family talking. After I finished college and started working, I usually worked in medical facilities and listened to the doctors and nurses talking in the break room during their lunch breaks. Amazing how much you can learn by just listening. I also learned by reading and by watching educational tv channels.

I think, I am just a smart ass, and know stuff. LOL.

In reality I learned from my parents and grand parents. They all had heaps of common sense.

Moni...who also listens and picks up tricks from other people.

Variety of sources, in addtion to the ones mentioned, also learned from guessing. Sometimes I guessed right, sometimes I guessed wrong. Sometimes I learned from an accident. Sometimes I learned by being lucky and not having severe ramifications from something....

Each day is a learning experience. I actually like learning new things. That's why I like the internet so.

I'm well educated (9 years post high school), but that's "school smarts" mostly. My parents were always teaching us things, if we paid attention. I think I still learn something from my father every time I speak with him. I was always an observant person, I love to read, I am curious and I have an excellent memory for most things (the periodic table of the elements being a glaring exception). I am amazed at the ignorance of some people. It's like they must go through life in a fog never observing and absorbing the world around them.

I wasn't the kid that would stick their tongue on the cold metal, I was the kid that would get someone else to do it so I could observe what would happen. ;)

I had bright parents and a grandmother who taught me lots of basic skills and insights. I also read a lot and had lots of formal schooling. I have been able to pick up tidbits from friends too. The internet is also a good source, and this website.

My Dad taught me a lot of things. He was a walking encyclopedia. He also made us learn by experience - some things good and somethings bad. LOL Like sniffing horseradish would clear your stuffy nose. LOL We always had a jar on hand just for that purpose. Every night at the dinner table he quizzed us on all kinds of things - some of them were riddles to make our brains work.

My Mom taught me about baking.

I also learned a lot from my older siblings. Again, some not so good things like sticking your tongue on icey cold metal. LOL I tell you I was tortured by my brothers at times. LOL

My Scottish Grandma taught me how to knit and embroider and cross stitch. You rarely saw her without knitting needles in her hands making argyle socks for her "boys" and hats, mittens and sweaters for us kids. She made the most beautiful hand embroidered pillow cases and table cloths without a pattern. When she was too old to hold a sewing needle in her hand she gave me all her floss and hoops that were in a metal Scottish shortbread cookie tin. I still have it.

My Dad's French stepmother, my Grandma H. taught me how to crochet. She made some wonderful lacey tableclothes and bed spreads and those pot holders that looked like dresses. I have all of her tiny metal crochet hooks somewhere in this house.

My Scottish Grandfather taught me his love of fine things. Any time anyone came into his house he would take you over to my Grandma's china cabinet and show off the Royal Doulton character figurines, the toby jugs, the china tea cups and saucers, the crystal, He didn't have 2 cents to rub together and he was a drunk but he was proud that his wife through hard work could afford to buy beautiful things and he loved to show them off.

Patti, speaking of metal ice cube trays, they bring back good memories. My Grandpa would make grape juice ice cubes and when we came to visit he would hand each of us kids a large purple cube wrapped in a napkin or paper towel to suck on. They were the best. My Grandma H would make pink "Junket" in hers.

Anne