How do you feel about the saying "If you don't use it, you lose it?"

I would think you would get a little rusty from lack of doing it. The common one is "it's like riding a bicycle, you never forget how". Well, at my age, I'll bet it wouldn't be easy to get back on a bicycle! LOL Anyway...my biggest problem is some of the multiplication tables. There are a couple that I have to really think about to get to come back to me, and sometimes I just have to get out the trusty calculator. I think that comes from not using them and using the calculator all these years! Do kids even have to learn the multiplication tables anymore?

yes, that's right. And I can say it's exactly about languages. To remember language you must use it..at least a bit. Such a pity but people's memory is such. Though there some methods to remember very long time or nearly always. For example, when you associate what you remember with something. Then when you want to remember it you first will rememebr this association and then this thing

It is pretty true with most things. If it has something to do physically, you just get rusty at it. If it is something using our brains, we may forget it for sure. I must do something over and over to retain it too. Good post again.

I agree with it somewhat. I know my handwriting isn't as good as it used to be because I don't write as much now that I am not in school. Then of course I am a bit afraid I forgot how to drive since its been so long as I really have drove, I know though once I get behind the wheel and go I'll be fine. Its just that little fear in the back of my head. So I think its true...to a degree.

yes I believe it's true for most intellectual activities or things that depends on the conscious memory, i find it hard to remember how to do things that I haven't done in a long time. and it's also correct with languages, if you learn a foreign language and you stop using it you will forget most of the words and will find it hard to speak with it when you are in a situation that requires it. it did happen to me and took me a long time to get it back, you seems to recognize the words you hear but can't remember the meanings and you want to say something but the words are at the tip of your tongue but can't go out.. we need to use our skills from time to time not to forget it but there are things like riding a bicycle, swimming, driving , etc that they say people can never forget but they are more physical reflexes than intellectual activities.

Oh yes, I think that when it comes to knowledge, we do loose it if we don't use it. I think as we age (not necessarily old but older) we dont absorb as much knowledge as we did when we were younger. I also believe that that knowlede will return if we sharpen our skills a bit. They knowledge also applies to our talents or skills. We have to sharpen them from time to time to keep that skill intact in our brains.