Which is probably why it too me so long to level up my 1st toon - that and spreading talents across 3 trees :)

I wonder if they covered talents in the tutorial?

This.

And I had no idea that it was actually beneficial to put talents into more than just the one tree. How many frost mages I've seen with 71 point specs I can't remember anymore, but I try and help them every time I see one ...

Not to mention - "what's hit rating?" ... "oh, you mean it helps you hit stuff ... /facepalm"

i remember a LONG time ago overhearing this conversation in town.. a lvl 45 hunter was asked which talents he put his points into.. his reply.. what are talent points?

I was the same way. I had no idea there even WERE talent trees, and when my son-in-law finally pointed it out to me, I just started putting the points in any old way. Guildies will ask what spec I leveled my lock, and all I can do is laugh. My s-i-l also asked me one day why I didn't send my voidwalker in first to get aggro. I had no idea what he was talking about. Geesh. No wonder I died so much leveling up.