I've always made a point of finding out as much as I can about any aircraft I fly, every different type has its idiosyncracies. Eg, don't side slip a C172 with full flap, the nose tucks down into the direction of slip.
If there's a type you want to know more about, see if there's a website / owners club. You can get your hands on the POH and maintenance manuals for pretty much anything these days.