From casual games I've learned that...

You don't need a screwdriver to removes screws, any old coin will do.
Something is over your head and just out of reach, find an umbrella to hook it with.
Half the locks in the world can be picked with a bent paper clip. The other half can't.
Every guard dog can be bribed with a hunk of raw meat.
Ropes can be cut with piece of sharp glass, but make sure you wrap an old rag around it so you don't cut yourself.
Dead plants come back to life if you pour water on them.

You see? These games are educational, too.

You mean to say you hadn't previously learned all these things from playing your Adventure games

Addition:
Some people are overly picky, even in emergencies, about what tools they use and will not use a coin to remove a screw.

I find I can't open that rickety old door on the shed, even if I have a crowbar handy.
What's worse, if I use the crowbar to move a rock, the crowbar vanishes. I want my crowbar back.

Have you noticed the hacksaw always goes zoom-zoom-zoom through metal bars? I want that hacksaw too.

Yup same here, my wife gets mad at me when I constantly break the Zipper pull on my coats, I tell not to worry, I play Casual games and I often run across Purses,Knapsacks, Briefcases,Tents,etc. that have their Zipper Pulls broken and I just need to find a Paper clip or a wire or the missing ZP and voila, it is fixed.

To Tally Ho,
Of course you can't open a rickety old door with a Crowbar, silly you, you need to find some Oil first to oil the Rusty Hinges.
And I'm with you on the "Hacksaw", good Lord how I found myself sweating bullets trying to saw one thin metal bar let alone several prison bars in no time. I want one too.

I've learned that Detectives don't like to take their own equipment. They go out to investigate without so much as a penny in their wallets, no screwdriver or wrench, no matches or handy umbrella. They don't even have their own magnifying glass. They must come across these things haphazardly. It puzzles and exasperates me no end. I guess in this economy they can't afford to take their own tools.

Sharon B, so true. The explanation must be that Detectives get paid time and materials. In short, Detectives make more money being unprepared. If a Detective liberates a hammer from a gold wyvern puzzle lock adorned with glittering gems, then hammer and lock and jewels can be charged off to the client. Magical accountants love this because the Detective has to show enough income not to be considered a hobby.

Very true, 8DogNight. And there's also the fact that they always lose their tools after a single use. So, unprepared and forgetful. It's a wonder they get anything done much less save the day!