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Original poster

Left and Right

78 replies

PumpOutTheBilge · 26/12/2021 22:47

I’m 43 years old.

When I have to identify something as being left or right, I do so by pretending to write something, thus identifying my right hand.

I can’t be the only person who does this, can I?

OP posts:
Skeumorph · 26/12/2021 22:49

Yes I do it. Always have to think for a split second

FinishWhatWeStarted · 26/12/2021 22:50

I do the same. Dd holds both hands up palms away from her and sees which one forms an L

JayAlfredPrufrock · 26/12/2021 22:51

My dd does that when riding @FinishWhatWeStarted

ldontWanna · 26/12/2021 22:54

I look for my watch as I always wear it on the left. Otherwise i have to think for a bit. I don't instinctively know.

LilyTheMink · 26/12/2021 22:55

I quickly trace the L shape of my left hand from finger along thumb - sometimes in my head, sometimes actually.

TheGirlInTheGreenDress · 26/12/2021 22:56

I do that and the L thing as mentioned by @FinishWhatWeStarted. In fact when I played rugby at Uni and the captain would call a move that involved us either going left or right, our coach would laugh as he’d hear the call then watch about 5 of us all holding our hands up to see the L Grin

zigzag56445 · 26/12/2021 22:56

I'm 47. I have to do it too. I have great spatial awareness and sense of direction but don't ask me to say the words. I'll point instead

TulipsGarden · 26/12/2021 22:57

Yes I pretend to write something too. And I can't say which direction quickly, it almost always come out wrong. I have to point wildly in the direction we need to go if giving instructions in the car.

KeyLimePies · 26/12/2021 22:58

I’m in my 50’s and I still have to think about which way is left and which way is right (usually by pretending to write)

Walkingalot · 26/12/2021 22:58

Possible dyspraxia. But if that's your only issue then no need to worry. I nearly failed my driving test aged 19 as I couldn't tell my left from right, without thinking. FF to being 50 at Uni and I was diagnosed with dyspraxia and mild dyslexia, which wad a massive surprise. Wasn't surprised at the dyspraxia as I was so clumsy and disorganised and no sense or direction.

LilyTheMink · 26/12/2021 22:59

Weirdly I have a friend who always says left is 'down'. Idk if that means right is 'up'

Exhausteddog · 26/12/2021 23:00

I used to do pretending to write - now I look for my wedding ring Blush

FelicityBeedle · 26/12/2021 23:04

Yea I do too! I think about going to grab a pencil and see which hand moves! I’m fairly confident I’m dyspraxic and the uni officer agreed but I didn’t have the funds to pursue it

madisonbridges · 26/12/2021 23:09

I air write to check for my right hand. However, it appears I'm equally comfortable airwriting with my left hand. Curses!

I'm going to do the L shape of my left hand. And of course they are alphabetical. L comes before R.

StormyCornishSeas · 26/12/2021 23:13

My left hand index and thumb make an L thats how I check myself. I'm always having to check my lefts and rights. Don't come to me if lost and need directions

AcrossthePond55 · 26/12/2021 23:22

@Exhausteddog

I used to do pretending to write - now I look for my wedding ring Blush
I do the same thing! In fact I mutter in my head "Left hand, wedding ring".

I'm left-handed.

SlowBoiledFrog · 26/12/2021 23:25

L on left hand and its a tick on the right!

I wrote it on my hands for driving test.

KeyLimePies · 26/12/2021 23:28

I wouldn’t cope with the left hand making an ‘L’ thing, I’d get confused as to whether it should be palms up or down.

Confusedmeanderings · 26/12/2021 23:45

I am in my sixties and have to imagine the topic the lane where my childhood home was - left to the nearest town, right to the nearest village!

NorthernChinchilla · 26/12/2021 23:51

Me too! By any chance @PumpOutTheBilge do you use your hands for different things, rather than having a truly dominant hand?
Eg I have my knife in my right for dinner, but use my left for cutting bread, and so on?

CaramelFlaneur · 27/12/2021 00:20

My family and DH think I'm weird but I've found my people!

For left and right I picture my primary school exercise books as we always wrote the date in the top right hand corner.

Weirdly I don't have a consistent dominant hand @NorthernChinchilla - I am right handed but eat with my left hand and I'm also left footed.

Pedalpushers · 27/12/2021 00:24

I think it's realllly common to have at least some trouble based on the fact it's a weird concept. I find it really instinctive and among my friends I'm rare. I learned left and right in two languages as a child and a third as an older child and I wonder if that helped.

Hairyfriend · 27/12/2021 00:24

Seems I'm the only one that DOESN'T need to write something to know left from right? I just think it in my brain without physically having to move my hand.

Belledan1 · 27/12/2021 00:27

It's easier for me as I have a birth mark on my left hand so I know what is what.

emailaddressplease · 27/12/2021 00:28

Yep! I look at my ring finger fingernail. My left is different from my right.