15 Common Pieces of Knowledge That Aren’t So Common To See in Action
You’ve probably heard some advice repeated over and over, such as “drink more water” or “choose a strong password.” But how many of these suggestions do you actually follow?
Many Americans know these pearls of conventional wisdom, yet they don’t follow them consistently. In other words, the knowledge may be common, but the practice isn’t.
These are 15 common pieces of knowledge that aren’t as common to see in action in the United States. We included information from various sources, including news articles and studies.
1: Healthy Eating
Many Americans understand the importance of healthy eating. They know that eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats can improve their health, lower their risk of certain diseases, and boost their quality of life.
Yet Americans also have notoriously bad diets, often filled with sugary, processed foods. There’s some research that suggests people in the United States think they’re eating healthy when they actually have some room for improvement. A recent survey found that 85% of Americans inaccurately estimated the quality of their diets, with nearly everyone in this group overestimating the healthfulness of their diets.
2: Eight Glasses of Water
Like healthy eating, drinking water is another goal for many Americans. A common belief is that people should drink eight glasses of water per day, though the right amount can vary for each person.
Despite this common knowledge, data shows most Americans aren’t getting enough water. A study revealed that 47% of Americans consume water below the recommended amounts.
3: Proper Hand Washing
In schools and daycares across the United States, children often learn to wash their hands by humming the tune “Happy Birthday” twice. That’s about 20 seconds, which is the recommended amount of time for people to wash their hands.
Despite knowing good hand-washing techniques, Americans may not follow them at all times. When they’re distracted or in a rush, many neglect to wash their hands for the full 20 seconds each time.
4: Flossing
Another hygiene practice, flossing, can also be hit-or-miss among Americans. Many people know they should floss daily to prevent plaque buildup and keep their teeth healthy.
However, data shows this practice is far less common than many believe. A study found only 41% of Americans floss daily, while 20% never floss at all.
5: Using a Blinker
American drivers know they should use their blinkers to make turns or change lanes. But how many follow this practice consistently?
Turns out, nearly half of drivers in the United States don’t use turn signals consistently. Those that do may forget to turn their blinkers off, which can also be problematic.
6: Writing Thank-You Notes
In the United States, it’s common for people to hold parties for children’s birthdays, graduations, weddings, and other special occasions. People often bring gifts, and many expect to receive thank-you notes for the gesture.
However, not everyone writes thank-you notes anymore, making this practice less common to see in action. If you receive a gift, experts say it’s important to follow traditional etiquette and send a note thanking the gift-giver.
7: Basic First Aid
In some situations, basic first aid can be lifesaving care. While many Americans believe it’s important to know basic first aid, not everyone feels prepared to administer it.
A recent survey found only 51% of Americans believe they could perform CPR on another person in an emergency. Among those surveyed, 49% thought they could help someone seriously bleeding, and 56% believed they could assist someone choking.
8: Oil Changes
Getting routine oil changes is part of car ownership. Many Americans have heard they need to get the oil changed every 5,000 miles or six months.
Not everyone heeds this advice, though. Some data shows 29% of Americans don’t keep up with regular oil changes, and even more are behind on other routine maintenance, including tire rotations.
9: Strong Passwords
These days, it seems like nearly every website asks users to create passwords. The advice is always the same: Choose a strong, unique password.
Many Americans continue to create weak passwords, however, with 83% failing to use numbers, uppercase and lowercase letters, and special characters. Additionally, over half of Americans use the same password for different accounts, which can increase the risk of hacking.
10: Backing Up Computer Data
Many people in the United States work on computers. It’s common knowledge that backing up computer data can protect valuable files and prevent theft.
Still, many Americans don’t back up their computers regularly. Only 26% of Americans back up their files yearly, and 24% have never backed up their data.
11: Stretching Before Exercise
You may have heard that you need to stretch before exercising. While it’s a common piece of advice, many people neglect to warm up before they start their workouts.
In reality, there’s no clear link between stretching before exercise and preventing injuries, according to health experts. However, it’s a good idea to stretch often to improve your flexibility and range of motion.
12: Lifting Heavy Objects
How many times have you heard the phrase, “Lift with your knees?” Many people know the proper techniques for lifting heavy objects, yet injuries still occur.
Specifically, overexertion is a common reason for workplace injuries. Strains and sprains often occur from improperly lifting loads or carrying heavy loads.
13: Recycling
Americans often hear about the benefits of recycling. It’s common knowledge that recycling glass, cardboard, paper, and other materials can prevent pollution and help to conserve resources.
However, the United States has a long way to go when it comes to recycling. The current recycling rate in the country is about 32%, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
14: Passion at Work
There’s a saying that if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life. In the United States, people are often encouraged to find their passion and turn it into a career.
Despite this widespread advice, it’s less common to see people put it into practice. A recent survey found only 20% of Americans feel very passionate about work, though nearly half of workers say they’re satisfied with their jobs.
15: Reading Books
Americans often hear that they spend too much time in front of screens. Many experts urge people to pick up a book instead.
But research shows Americans are reading fewer books than they did in the past. What’s more, 17% of Americans haven’t read any books in the past year.
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