It is a vital skill in Australia (I am not a good swimmer at all) and in Finland, because the entire summer centers around the water, beaches and pools in Australia, lakes in Finland. So many people drown it is crazy though.
My mother encouraged us not to swim because of her fears of drowning. Seems a bit counter-productive!
What I think is most insidious with the consumption of skill is the feeling of having the skill. It is like watchin a Kungfu film and then getting into a fight with a Kungfu master.
That is so true in so many ways. We have or had some commercials over here for Holiday Inn hotels that took that view. "I'm not a (choose a profession), but I did stay at a Holiday Inn.
Stupid people do stupid things.