Making up 10% of the world's population, us left-handed people are the vast minority. We are constantly reminded of this statistic which is, yes, flattering but also a reminder that the world is prepared for a population of right-handed people. Hey, we have neither outnumbered the right-handed population nor gone extinct which suggests that our dominant hand has not given us any survival advantage or disadvantage. But we do have our shared experiences and challenges of being lefties living in a right-handed world.
Here are 10 things us lefties know all too well:
1. Other people's amazement when you sign your name.
Oftentimes when I have to sign my name or fill out a form, people act like they're witnessing a lunar eclipse because I'm using a pen with my left hand. Yes, sometimes I enjoy getting told how unique I am, but come on, I'm just putting my name on a line. It's not that exciting.
2. The crippling inability to write on a straight line.
Because we (inconveniently) have to write left to right, it can be awkward to do that when we're left-handed. When I'm not writing on lined paper, I write pretty much on a diagonal. Even when I am writing on lined paper, sometimes, I write pretty much on a diagonal (notice my English notes above).
3. Ink covering the side of your hand.
Once again, the whole writing left to right rule is awkward when you're left-handed. When I write in pen, the side of my hand drags over the words I have already written and by the end, my hand is covered in ink. People have looked at me in horror and asked about the "bruise" on the side of my hand. It's from a pen, calm down. Yes, this is actually my hand after I took an essay-based exam.
4. Elbowing the right-handed person next to you.
All lefties know (and can probably calculate the frequency of) how often they elbow a right-handed person sitting to the left of them when they're doing something with their left hand. The person may get mad, but hey, we can't help that we're so special. One time, I sat in a very cramped lecture hall only to discover that, to the left of me, was another lefty! Never had I felt luckier to not have to apologize every time I elbowed somebody.
5. Using everyday tools is a struggle.
From the discriminatory design of three-ring binders to the scarce supply lefty scissors in art class, most people automatically assume that every single person in this world is right-handed. One time, I was trying to use the right-handed can opener in the kitchen and I had to figure out a more creative way to open up the pumpkin puree, a creative way that left me with a bleeding hand.
6. Identifiable handwriting.
Many of us lefties are known to have "lefty handwriting." At least I know I do. With a distinct slant and "odd" ways of writing certain letters, people recognize my penmanship. I learned the hard way that I can never hand write anonymous notes because everybody knows my printing.
7. "Are you a lefty?"
I love when I complete a task with my left hand and I always get asked this question. If I'm feeling snarky, I respond with, "I'm not. My right hand is just tired." Of course I am! I would never choose to have my handwriting look like a kindergartner's or awkwardly try to lift food into my mouth, so therefore I will not use my right hand.
8. Right-handed desks.
As a college student, these right-handed desks in big lecture halls are the bane of my existence. I often have to lean or twist my body in weird ways to reach over and write on the opposite side. Believe me, it's not fun to have a backache after I try to take notes in class.
9. Making the transition to become ambidextrous.
Maybe ambidextrous is an exaggeration, but I did have to train myself to switch to my right hand for certain tasks. Since my guitar teacher could not teach me how to play guitar with my left hand, I learned with my right. I also played field hockey and had to learn how to use a hockey stick with my right hand since left-handed sticks were illegal.
10. Coming to the realization that the world isn't built for you, but you're special anyway.
Studies prove that lefties are more accustomed to doing right-handed tasks than righties are to do left-handed tasks because of the world's bias towards righties. Lefties are also quicker thinkers with an ability to process information faster across both sides of the brain. While often the odd ones out in many respects, we actually have neurological and physical advantages. Our dominant hand can be our secret weapon!
