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Original poster

Is being left-handed a non-issue these days?

217 replies

Svanhildur · 26/11/2018 11:47

Just wondering because DS looks like he's going to be left-handed. Thankfully we have moved past the days when this would be 'corrected' at all and I'm sure that in the grand scheme of things it is of very small significance. But I'm sure the world is designed for righties in a way that I don't always notice, being right-handed myself.

Those of you who are left-handed, does it cause any annoyances in your everyday lives or would you say that now the stigma is gone, that being left-handed is basically a non-issue?

OP posts:
Chinks123 · 26/11/2018 12:33

My dd is also left handed, she hasn’t had a problem at all except for she sometimes smudges her homework. The only issue is my grandma constantly tries to correct her! She just isn’t used to it in the other hand apparently Hmm

Athena51 · 26/11/2018 12:41

Lefty and very proud of it Smile I've never had any real problems (potato peelers are a pain mind). I use cutlery the 'normal' way but I am very left-handed otherwise.

Suzyloo · 26/11/2018 12:43

I wouldn't say the stigma is entirely gone. My best friend had her first child in 1992 and when he was a toddler he seemed to favour his left hand. I said "Hey, he could be a leftie" and she said "Oh my God NO." And not in a joking way, either. My mother didn't approve of lefties either, and blamed me for my younger brother being one. (Apparently he copied me, although, as my parents were both right-handed, I'm not sure who I was supposed to have copied). My brother's boys are both right-handed, and secretly we are relieved.

SpaceCadet4000 · 26/11/2018 12:47

I'm a lefty and was never stigmatised for it. I do remember being so frustrated as a child at never being able to follow visual directions right-handed people were giving me. Be patient with your DS, and use YouTube for left-handed instruction videos if needed.

Muddlingalongalone · 26/11/2018 12:47

As a leftie with 2 children who are righties I would say things like teaching them to tie shoelaces is more difficult because they can't just copy you.

Ilovedotcotton · 26/11/2018 12:49

I wouldn’t say I have problems BUT when you used left handed tools such as left-handed scissors you realise how much easier it is. I LOVE left-handed scissors - they are much better. I also recommend a left handed fountain pen if they’re required in school (I’m not sure if this is still the case - showing my age here!).

TheTurnOfTheScrew · 26/11/2018 12:51

we've not noticed any difference between teaching the leftie and the rightie to do things like use cutlery and tie laces, although that possible because the leftie has better hand/eye coordination.

the only problem we have at the moment is that the 8yo leftie has just got her pen licence at school, and we're struggling to find a non-smudgy pen - can anyone recommend something?

Loyaultemelie · 26/11/2018 12:53

The only real issue I have now (tbf it's actually Dh has it!) is domestic arguments over bitter. Dh is a rightie but grumbles non stop about "damn left handed butter". Well don't be so lazy and start the block yourself.
I don't need separate scissors or pens etc but do find jugs annoying

Loyaultemelie · 26/11/2018 12:53

Butter not bitter

EmpressJewel · 26/11/2018 12:56

We are a family of lefties here and we all cope. Our children are 8 and 6 and I don't think they have even thought about it. I haven't ever seen them struggle with it.

Hangingtrousers · 26/11/2018 13:00

Left handed reception teacher here... My dd and dh also left handed.
Total non issue appart from can openers. I've yet to find one I get on with.

Original poster
Svanhildur · 26/11/2018 13:01

Haha, can't you just go at the butter from both ends?

Thanks for everyone's responses, good to know a few of the things we might have to look out for. He's not 100% confirmed as a leftie yet, but it's looking more and more likely. He is a very cool toddler so I definitely agree with that.

OP posts:
Chocolatecake12 · 26/11/2018 13:02

My ds is a leftie and I’m glad he’s not living in the 1900’s where my great grandma was wrapped across the knuckles and made to use her right hand in school.
Teaching him to tie shoelaces was probably the most difficult thing and teaching him to cook has been tricky too just because he wants to have his handles on the opposite side that I do.

Ilovewillow · 26/11/2018 13:04

My son is 5 and left handed. I would agree with much of what has been said. He has always used right handed scissors and not had an issue. He uses cutlery the other way round and always wants to do things the left handed way - more of an issue has been us accommodating this as two right handed parents - e.g. when younger I would help with shoes holding a right shoe whilst he was lifting a left foot but I've learnt to help him where needed and take that into account. He is more indignant with a right handed world right now - I've asked him to stand on the other side of an escalator to let others walk past and he doesn't wan to because it's easier for him to stand that side - this will dissipate with age (I'm sure). School has been reasonable but his handwriting is not great but he's an August born too so that also impacts but he is meeting all milestones so doesn't seem to affect him too much at present. He plays the violin which universally played as a right handed instrument and seems to be able to compute this but early days. They do say left handed people tend to more creative and he is certainly the most imaginative and creative person in our family. He also has a pretty mean left footed rugby kick.

YogaDrone · 26/11/2018 13:09

I'm left handed and I'm eternally grateful that my DS is right handed. It's a pain.

I'm really glad that I rarely have to write anything in my own hand anymore (I type everything) as it's almost incomprehensible - B and D's confused, the numeric 3 is always around the wrong way, as are e's and g's and y's. Basically I would mirror write everything if I didn't think very hard. I have the alphabet (upper and lower case) laminated to copy from which helps.

If I throw or kick a ball I have to think about how to do it and where my feet need to be in order to complete the action. If I'm dancing I have to think about which foot to move first because it's unnatural to me to take the first step with my right foot.

I've never learned how to knit, use a can opener or a potato peeler! I use my knife and fork in the usual hands but spoons always in my left and if I'm chopping or carving the knife will be in my left.

I wasn't allowed to do DT at school because all of the equipment (lathes, saws, drills etc) are set for the 90% who are right handed. In primary I was told that if I used by left hand I would be a "child of the devil" and would go to hell. My left hand was tied behind my back. This was in the first year of primary and when my parents found out they went mad at the school and the offending teacher (who was about 102 anyway) was swiftly pensioned off. I'm only in my early 40's so this wasn't that long ago really.

I hate being left handed. I wouldn't have any of the day to day issues I have now if I were right handed.

I think being left handed is a bit like being female - you are told that because there are left handed scissors that you've attained equality whereas in reality the world is absolutely geared towards right handed people (and men).

flissfloss65 · 26/11/2018 13:10

I’m left handed and the only time I even think about it is when right handers comment. It’s been such a non issue for me.

My step mum was really concerned when her grandson turned out to be left handed. Went on about how hard life would be.

BernardsarenotalwaysSaints · 26/11/2018 13:10

I'm left handed & the only thing I've ever struggled with is can openers. Dh makes it look so easy while it takes me ages to get it on (once it's on I'm fine).

So far 3 of my dc are also left handed so whatever happens we'll outnumber the right handers in the house Grin -

SumitosIsMyWall · 26/11/2018 13:24

Differences I've noticed between left-handed and right-handed daughter only really amount to neatness. Left-handed daughter took a lot longer learning how to form her letters/words clearly and cursive writing was the bane of our lives for 4 years happily it did click eventually and she hates real ink pens...or smudgers as she calls them because no technique works for her and the ink gets everywhere.

Otherwise no discernible difference and she loves catching people out as a left footed footballer too Grin

senua · 26/11/2018 13:30

Those of you who are left-handed, does it cause any annoyances in your everyday lives

No, no problems at all in the 21st century.Hmm

MulticolourMophead · 26/11/2018 13:48

I am mixed handed and write with both hands, although I guess I use my right hand a little more. I did find this site useful for writing tips.

I also came across something that suggested that there is a spectrum for handedness, and that few people are completely left or right handed.

EastMidsGPs · 26/11/2018 13:50

My DF, 2xDB and DN as well as myself are left handed, we have adapted!
These days it is not really an issue. Plenty of aids to use especially for crafts.

Make sure he is sitting at the left end of a table in school so that he has room for writing, colouring etc.

My biggest bug bear is the scan as you shop zapper guns. The holders are all on the right hand side of the trolley and I find it annoying.

As a bonus OP you might be surprised at how he thinks and processes ideas .. I know I do this differently to a lot of colleaguesand friends.
My left handed family members are all incredibly creative with our ideas - making links others don't.
I often state thoughts and ideas and my right handed engineer DH goes 'where did that come from?' as it never occurs to him

TrippingTheVelvet · 26/11/2018 13:53

I'm naturally left handed and school"corrected" it. It's a pain in the arse as my mind sees things from the perspective of a leftie but all my strength is in the right hand. I'm shit at sports.

YahBasic · 26/11/2018 13:56

Things I struggle with:
Sitting on the right when eating - has to be on the left so not to bang elbows
Only using non-smudgy biros or I just destroy what I’ve written
Can’t use most scissors and tin openers

Unexpected bonuses:
Being able to take notes easily while also navigating a mouse - my right handed colleagues get jealous for some reason Grin

iwonderwhen · 26/11/2018 13:57

Look at the benefits Left handed people are often quite creative
It's not an issue like it was in the 50s and 60s - there are just things I can't easily do like people are saying here.
I got told by my head teacher that I ought to try to write with my right hand as she though my writing was untidy but I was never forced into it.

10PollyPockets · 26/11/2018 13:58

Tin openers confuse me but that's about it. As a leftie you never know any different so I don't think it causes any problems, as you just learn to do things your own way.
My bank does left handed cheque books and I do have one just for the novelty of it 😂

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