Containers

None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.

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Spin the can tab 180 degrees and pull it, then spin it back, to bend it enough for easy opening.
It bends the tab enough to open easily if you struggle.
one person who lived it
Use a spoon to wear away the rim of a can lid until it pries open, avoiding damage to knives.
Avoids damaging knife blades or risking injury.
- Causes permanent scratches on silverware
- Ask permission before using parents' silverware
3 people, independently
- Use a spoon to pry open the tab of a beer or soda can.1
Dent the side of a beer or soda can with your thumb near the opening.
It allows you to drink without looking for the hole, ensures smooth flow at low levels, and makes the can easier to distinguish at parties.
- One person accidentally pushed too hard, punctured the can, and cut their thumb on the sharp metal.
one person who lived it
Cover the opening of the can with the heel of your hand while popping the tab to reduce noise.
It prevents most of the noise from getting out.
2 people, independently
- Place the can on a towel or carpet rather than a hard surface to dampen sound when opening it.1

Avoid using the shoe or wall method on quality wine.
You do not want deposits ending up in your glass.
one person who lived it
Use a toothbrush to grip and pull a wine cork instead of metal tools.
It is easier to grip and less likely to injure your eye if hands slip compared to metal implements.
one person who lived it
Avoid using expensive knives to open cans to prevent bending and damaging the blade.
Using a knife for this purpose can bend the blade and wreck it.
one person who lived it
Avoid banging wine bottles against objects to open them.
It agitates the contents and mixes sediment back into the wine.
one person who lived it

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Choose the coldest available aluminum can to cut down on carbonation noise when opening it.
Colder cans have less carbonation.
one person who lived it