Being left-handed isn’t easy. Maybe it’s because lefties only make up 10% of the population or because they are living in a world of right-handed objects and tools or even because they’ve been shamed throughout history (ever heard of left-handed children being coerced into being right-handed?).
For whatever reason, lefties have to get used to doing things differently and whenever they meet another leftie, it’s exciting and relatable problem stories ensue. One of those relatable problems is wondering why right-handed people find us so fascinating and awkward at the same time. Nonetheless, here are some things you shouldn’t say to a left-handed person.
1. “Are you left-handed?”
Do you not see me writing with my left hand or what? This is like asking a girl with brown hair if she’s a brunette. Dumb question.
2. “You know that left-handed people die sooner, right?”
That, my friend, is an untrue piece of information that’s been on the internet for a while. There’s no evidence that handedness correlates with lifespan.
3. “Why is the side of your hand so dirty?”
Look, when lefties write their hands slide against the words they’ve written and if they are writing with pencil, the graphite stains the side of their hands.
4. “Writing with your left hand is related to the devil!”
Don’t. That is an old belief from back in the day. It gave teachers an excuse to force the left-handedness out of children. Lefties aren’t the devil’s spawn. Chill out.
5. “Have you ever tried writing with your right hand?”
No. You know why? Because I’m not right-handed, so why would I make life harder for myself?
6. “You’re still trying to find a mitt?”
Throwback to gym class in elementary/middle/high school when there would be a whole bucket of baseball mitts for people… and yet, the leftie in the class would have to dig to the very bottom of the bucket to find a left-handed mitt to use. It took a little longer to find one.
7. “Why can’t you cut paper better?”
Scissors are the one contraption that lefties look uncomfortable using no matter how many times they’ve used one. Therefore, cutting with a right-handed pair of scissors make the act of cutting paper a bit less clean-cut.
8. “Why is there a leftie store?”
Gee, maybe there’s a whole store dedicated to selling supplies and other objects fashioned for lefties because everything is made to be used for right-handed people. The fact that I can buy a “leftie mug” with the design on the correct side or a pair of scissors that don’t hurt my hand and can help me cut better is awesome.
9. “Why do you always look so uncomfortable in a classroom desk?”
Maybe I look awkward in a desk because the table’s armrest is on the wrong side so I have to prop my arm up myself while I write.
10. “Can you stop bumping my elbow?”
I’m sorry. I can’t help it. I am either writing or eating and I can’t just switch hands. This is why a leftie has to be strategic when sitting next to someone.
11. “I didn’t know you were left-handed!”
If you are a person who has known me for quite some time now and you never noticed what hand I write with, then I don’t know what to tell you. Seriously…
