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More people in Britain today know how to claim benefits than darn a sock, change a tyre or many other 'lost skills' according to new research. And younger adults are more likely to be able to illegally download music or get hold of a pirate DVD than wire a plug or bake a cake, the findings revealed. The study by internet search engine Ask.com discovered generations were not equipped with some of the basic skills once considered vital from sewing to DIY and even social etiquette. But this may well change as some of the long forgotten arts of domestic life could now be seen as potential moneysavers in the current climate, said Ask.com. A survey of 1,000 adults found that only 49 per cent of all ages could darn a sock, though this falls to 21 per cent of the under–30s and rises to 68 per cent of those aged over 60. Similarly, only 42 per cent of Britons (and 22 per cent of the under 30s) know how to knit though a healthy 85 per cent can, at least, sew a button and 91 per cent can iron a shirt. Around the house, many seem to have forgotten some basic DIY talents as only 32 per cent can change a lock or tile a bathroom and while 68 per cent can wire a plug, this falls to just 34 per cent of the under–30s. Almost a third of this younger age group cannot even knot a tie in these times of open–collared and dress down Friday working while only 17 per cent of all ages can tie a bow tie. Other social skills to bite the dust include cocktail–mixing as only 45 per cent of adults can rustle up a martini to a mai tai when needed. These days of emails and greetings of 'hi' rather than 'dear Sir' mean that up to a third of the under–30s no longer know how to formally address a letter and less than half of this age group admit they can set a table properly for a four course dinner. And despite the popularity of Strictly Come Dancing, only 30 per cent of all British adults can dance a waltz, falling to 11 per pent of adults under 30 and rising to 65 per cent of those over 60. Less than half of all Britons can change a tyre on a car and a similar number would struggle to do the same with a pushbike – though it was once a skill all schoolchildren could manage. Only 32 per cent know how to change the oil in the car though a surprisingly high 29 per cent claim they know how to ride a horse too. It is not a lack of talent, mental agility or concentration that is necessarily missing as there is no shortage of those who can master modern skills from computers to claims. Seven in ten of all adults know how to set up a Facebook account, 92 per cent can text on a mobile without a problem and 56 per cent are familiar with the process of applying for benefits. While only 24 per cent know where they buy a pirate DVD, this rises to 31 per cent of the under–30s of whom 44 per cent are also equipped with the necessary skill to illegally download music. Ask.com's survey found 60 per cent of all adults could reboot a computer and the same number know how to lower petrol consumption by driving better and more economically. Not all modern skills are to be sniffed at though as 80 per cent can use mental arithmetic to work out how much of a bill is the 15 per cent given to VAT. And 64 per cent of the younger generation, both male and female, can touch type – a skill once confined to secretaries and journalists but now commonplace thanks to the PC keyboard. Regionally, 63 per cent of those in the North West know how to claim for benefits, the highest proportion of any area of Britain, while Londoners are the most adept at illegally downloading. The Scots are most likely to know how to darn a sock (62 per cent) and sew a button (91 per cent) as well as wiring plugs (79 per cent) and even lay carpet (43 per cent). Londoners are best at knotting ties but the worst at car maintenance – those in the West Midlands are the best. The Scots have the highest level of cocktail making skills. Age wise, younger adults are also more likely to know how to sing at karaoke without having to look at the lyrics but less likely to know how to hang wallpaper. Perhaps least surprisingly, old British skills from pottery to basket–weaving are almost completely forgotten though, according to Ask.com, could make a comeback. The search engine commissioned the survey after noticing a big rise in searches for "how to" guides online, from car maintenance to baking bread, possibly to save cash in the current climate. Ask.com spokesperson Nadia Kelly said: "Many of these skills were once passed down from generation to generation but that no longer seems to happen. "But suddenly people are discovering they can save money if they know how to darn a sock, fix a trouser hem or handle some basic DIY without having to call out an expert. "This has led to a lot more internet searches for 'how to' guides including many traditional talents like mending clothes or fixing leaks but it's not all old–fashioned skills. "We have also seen a rise in those who want some guidance on how to lower a credit card debt or save energy round the home." Percentage of all British adults who know how to do the following skills (other examples available):
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