4 Things Your Father Should Have Taught You

How to Disagree

I didn't have to teach my son how to disagree with me; my wife taught him that, as excellent wives do, each and every day, by her own example. The world outside, where crossing guards, teachers, and bosses await, is much trickier. On one hand, you don't want a kid who goes along to get along; on the other, you don't want to raise a complete dickweed.

I have come to believe that the key phrase here — never heard within our home's walls — is "You may be right." The concept itself holds true whether you mean it or not, and it truly doesn't matter if the "you" is your school's principal or your village's idiot; you've paid lip service to authority while subtly asserting its contingency, and you can decide to end the exchange right there or move on to some form of "But here's what I think."

There will be times when this approach won't work. If a policeman pulls his weapon, for example, and orders you to drop yours, debate would be unwise. The same holds true if someone you trust suggests a blowjob. But those are things the kid'll have to figure out for himself. —Scott Raab

How to Fix a Leaky Faucet

1. Under the sink, you should see two metal knobs on the wall. They control the water line. Turn them off.

2. Back above the sink, look for a cap on the hot- and cold-water handles. Pop it off with a utility knife or screwdriver to expose a screw.

3. Remove that screw to remove the handle.

4. If you're lucky, all you'll need to do is tighten the packing nut — the hexagonal nut beneath the handle.

5. If that doesn't work, remove the packing nut. In a newer sink, you'll find a one-piece cartridge. Take it to the hardware store, get a replacement, and install it. You're done. In an older sink, under the nut is a stem with an O-ring and a seat washer, held in place by a screw. Changing the O-ring will usually stop a leak in the handle. (Make sure you get the right size.) Drips from the faucet, however, are often caused by corroded seat washers. Whichever you need, coat the replacement in plumber's grease before you install it. If you don't have a new washer handy and the unused side of the old washer is smooth, sometimes you can just flip it over.

6. If the dripping continues, run your finger inside where the stem rests in the base of the handle. If you feel rough patches, you can try using an abrasive pad to smooth them down. Or just replace the part. Tell the guy at the hardware store you need a new valve seat. He'll know.

7. Reassemble everything and enjoy your sink.

How to Tell the Difference Between a Red-Tailed Hawk and a Turkey Vulture

Because mistaking a scavenger for a graceful hunter just makes you look silly. To some people.

Profile: Both have broad wings and a rounded tail, but the vulture's wings will appear more boxy and rectangular. Also, when seen head-on, a hawk's wings will make a straight line; a vulture's wings will be tilted up in a distinctive shallow V shape. Flight pattern: Both birds rarely flap their wings, preferring to soar in wide circles. A vulture, however, will appear to wobble back and forth in flight.

How to Remove a Stripped Screw

First, try a wide rubber band. Lay one side of it flat on the damaged screw head, then press against it with your screwdriver. Often that will get you enough purchase to remove the screw.

If that doesn't work and you can't get hold of the screw head with pliers, find a small torx screwdriver. (It's the one that looks like a star and comes with most screwdriver sets.) With a drill bit slightly smaller than the torx, drill about 1/2 inch into the screw. Pound the torx in with a hammer. Unscrew. Celebrate.