31.Fixing things, handmade items

Q1 What kind of people like to fix things by themselves?

Ans- I think there are several kinds of people who like to fix things by themselves. Handy people usually do it because they already have the skills and tools, so repairing feels natural for them. Practical people enjoy solving problems on their own, so instead of buying something new, they just try to fix what they have. Many people also do repairs to save money, since calling a service can be expensive. Older generations are often used to repairing because when they were younger it was harder or more costly to replace things. Creative people sometimes enjoy fixing or redesigning items, because it gives them a chance to make something unique. People who grew up in the countryside are also good at repairs, because they learned those skills early and feel confident using them. And tech lovers often fix gadgets because they like opening them up and seeing how they work. So overall, different people have different reasons, but it usually comes down to habit, skills, money, or simple curiosity.

Q2 Is the older generation better at fixing things?

Ans- Honestly, I'd say 'yes', in many cases the older generation is better at fixing things. The reason is pretty simple: when they were younger, it wasn't so easy or cheap to replace broken things. If your TV or washing machine stopped working, you didn't just go online and order a new one, you actually tried to repair it. So people of that time naturally picked up those skills. They knew how to use tools, how to open things up, how to figure out what's wrong. Another point is patience. I think older people are more willing to spend a couple of hours trying to repair something. They don't get frustrated as quickly. Younger people, on the other hand, often prefer convenience. If their phone breaks, they just buy a new one, because repairing feels like too much hassle. At the same time, I wouldn't say younger people are completely helpless. We have YouTube and loads of tutorials, so if I don't know how to fix something, I can just watch a video and try. But the problem is that modern gadgets are often designed in a way that makes repairing really difficult... like smartphones that are glued shut. So sometimes it's not even about skills, it's just impossible to fix them at home.

Q3 What kind of things are more likely to be broken by people at home?

Ans- I think the things most likely to be broken at home are the ones people use every day. For example, glasses, plates, and mugs often get dropped, especially when people are in a hurry. Remote controls also get broken a lot, because they fall off the sofa all the time. Apart from that, kids' toys don't last long, children can break them really quickly. Sometimes bigger things break too, like chairs that go wobbly or tables that get scratched. And of course, electronics and small kitchen appliances can stop working if people aren't careful with them. So I'd say it's mostly the everyday objects that are more likely to break, just because we use them all the time.

Q4 Do you think elderly people should teach young people to fix things?

Ans- I think it's a good idea in many ways. The more skills and knowledge we have, the more independent we become, and when it comes to fixing things, older people are often the best teachers. You don't need to call someone every time your chair wobbles or your bike chain falls off. It also saves money, and fixing is way cheaper than buying new stuff. Plus, it's better for the planet, because you don't throw so much away. And older people have all these little tricks that you can't always find online. If they don't pass them on, that knowledge just disappears. On top of that, it can even be fun... like fixing a bike with your granddad, you learn something and spend time together. But at the same time, I get why it's not always necessary. Young people often don't really care about fixing things, they'd rather just buy a new phone or send it to a service. And honestly, a lot of modern gadgets are almost impossible to repair without special tools. Not everyone's into this kind of stuff anyway. Some people prefer to spend their free time on other skills, like digital ones, that feel more useful today.

Q5 Do you think handmade clothes are more valuable?

Ans- I think handmade clothes can feel more valuable, but it really depends on what you mean by 'valuable.' If you're talking about money, they usually cost more because someone spends hours making them. But for me the real value is in the personal touch. You know it wasn't made by a machine, someone actually cared about the details. For example, when a person sits and hand-stitches beads, sequins, or tiny pieces of embroidery, you can see how much effort and patience goes into it. It's not something a factory machine can easily copy, and that makes the piece feel special. At the same time, I don't think handmade clothes are automatically better. Some are amazing, some are not, just like factory clothes. So I'd say they can be more valuable when the quality and the story behind them are there, but not every handmade piece is special by default.

Q6 Do you think clothes produced in the factory are of better quality than those made by hand?

Ans- I don't think the quality of clothes really depends on whether they're made by hand or in a factory. What matters most is the skill of the person making them and the fabric they use. A really talented tailor can sew by hand and make something better than an inexperienced worker on the best sewing machine. At the same time, professional factory machines are amazing at making perfectly even stitches, which no human can do for hours without mistakes. Some fabrics actually need to be sewn by hand because machines could damage them, but if the tailor isn't very skilled, even a basic machine might produce better quality. And of course, the material plays a huge role. If the fabric is cheap, the clothes won't last no matter how they're made. So in the end, both handmade and factory clothes can be great or terrible quality. It depends much more on skill, fabric, and attention to detail than on the method itself.