How Much of a Sailor Are You?

The Sailing Today website has published their list of 39 attributes of a sailor…

1. Knows what phase the moon is in
2. Can tell the wind speed by feel
3. Can light a cigarette no matter the weather conditions (French sailors)
4. Has lost a digit in a winching accident
5. Dresses in primary colours
6. Gets upset when people call the British national flag the Union Jack
7. Always passes port to the left (unless he’s in America)
8. Can sleep anywhere
9. Has an eclectic collection of yacht club-branded T-shirts
10. Sports sun-yellowed eyebrows
11. Is not afraid of seasickness
12. Does not carry an umbrella
13. Sniggers when hearing someone say ‘Over and out’ in a movie
14. Can always find a parking space
15. Drinks beer/rum/whisky for breakfast (after a long passage)
16. Never uses a wheelie suitcase
17. Finds it acceptable to eat and drink out of plastic
18. Owns a spork
19. Can fix anything (usually with epoxy or duct tape)
20. Can throw a great party in the smallest of spaces
21. Can make friends in an instant that last a lifetime
21. Is good at keeping in touch
22. Is adept at sewing up holes (in sails, in clothes)
23. Is good at whipping (but not in a 50 Shades kind of way, although he or she does know a lot of handy knots)
24. Daydreams of adventure
25. Actually goes on adventures
26. Shies away from botox, knowing that lines speak of a life well lived
27. Never goes for a manicure
28. Does not use the word ‘hurricane’ lightly
29. Is not daunted by third world lavatories
30. Is open-minded and big-hearted
31. Knows the name of a good pub or restaurant in every port town in the western hemisphere (and much of the eastern)
32. Has a friend in every port town in the western hemisphere – often a bartender
33. Can whip up a hearty meal consisting entirely of tinned and packet foods
34. Is not phased by the idea of making tea at 30° (whether lat, long or angle of heel)
35. Knows the difference between latitude and longitude – and is always aware of where he or she is
36. Has seen more sunsets and sunrises, dolphins and views of the Milky Way than anyone else they know
37. Is not afraid of the dark

Know that lists like these are for desk-based landlubbers who aren’t busy off having adventures. More here from Sailing Today.