Qwerty is everywhere. Even on foreign language keyboards, it controls your motions like a universal truth. Of course, like most common things, Qwerty is a pain in the arse. If you use your computer primarily for writing, try switching your keyboard to the Dvorak layout.

After studying how people move their hands and how often different letters are used, Dvorak was created for maximum ease while typing. So typist fatigue is less of a problem, and slow typers can get up to speed with their peers at the office. The typing speed world record holder uses Dvorak. Neat.

Also, your keyboard will be insanely confusing to the other office rats, annoying friends and others who decide to borrow your gear. Hoorah! No more borrowing! Most effective if you go the extra step and touch type without changing the visual key layout.

You also gain much geek pointage, if you’re into that.

Dvorak is inbuilt in both Windows and Macs, and you can use touch type study programes to get your speed up. I use the free Stamina for my PC.

Little instruments are wonderful creatures. Often, you don’t even have to be very musical to play them- for example, the portable backpack bongo favored by people with dreadlocks. Brilliance is better, but generally all you have to do to entertain acquaintances and start jams is to hand it around and let everyone have a go.

Even better is the harmonica, about the size of your old mobile phone- although that will take a little practice.

Nothing fosters community like making noise with friends and strangers. Arguably, this is much easier if you hang out with backpackers or in noise-related nightspots. However, when it does happen, it’s usually awesome.

Small noisemakers are also useful when travelling- for example, waiting hours for foreign buses, being broke (carry a hat), and getting people who don’t speak your language to like you.