We lefties all have horror stories about everyday items that we’ve struggled to use or find a left-handed version of so that our lives might be a bit easier. So today, we will go over a list of things that lefties struggle with daily.
Scissors: Scissors are the number one bane of left-handers’ lives. Even if the ergonomic handles fit left hands, many companies fail to switch the blade to cut for a left-handed person.
Those funky one-piece desks: Many of us remember in school those one-piece desks. So often, there weren’t any left-handed desks available, leaving any left-handers at the mercy of figuring out how to sit in and use a right-handed desk.
Spiral notebooks: Spiral notebooks can be pretty painful to use. You have to rest your wrist across that wire spiral holding the notebook together.
Three-ring binders are similar to spiral notebooks, except you must try to rest your wrist between the rings, which can be uncomfortable.
Pens and pencils: Most left-handers know all about that ink or graphite smear on the side of their hand. What about those chained pens at customer service counters and banks. Left-handed people have to stretch that chain across what we are writing on, plus tilt the pen so we can push it across the paper to write. Some pens, like ballpoint pens, are hard to write left-handed with as the way we tilt the pens makes it hard for the ink to flow correctly. The way you write with the left hand is WAY different from the right since you push the pencil instead of pulling it. The last item isn’t a detriment exactly, but most pen decals are upside down or on the wrong side
Musical instruments: String instruments are the hardest for lefties to play. Guitars are upside down and backward for lefties. There are left-handed guitars, but they are more expensive and harder to find. As with most things in a lefty’s life, you can play right-handed. Drums may be the next hardest to learn as you must use both hands, and they can seem backward to lefties.
The number pad on a computer keyboard: As we all know, the number pad on most computer keyboards is on the right side. As a left-hander, you can learn to use the number pad with your right hand, or you can buy left-handed keyboards with the number pad on the left side.
Mugs: They only have those cute prints on the right side. So a lefty can’t even enjoy the cute mug they bought.
Can openers are just plain backward for a left-handed person to use. As with scissors, there are left-hand models made cheaply and without considering how lefties use them. A few companies have gone out of their way to make true left-handed can openers.
Ladles The pour spout is on the wrong side.
Ice cream scoop: If you have the type with the little button that releases the ice cream from the scoop, it’s always on the wrong side for lefties. On the other hand, the scoops made more like spoons are shaped wrong for a lefty to scoop the ice cream out without smearing their hand through the ice cream.
Measuring cups: Those nice glass measuring cups with the measurements printed on the sides are fantastic until you realize that they are backward for a lefty unless you use the metric system. I always read the measurements from the inside of the cup.
Bread bag ties: These wires are twisted incorrectly for a lefty to undo.
Tools: Many tools, especially power tools, are right-hand specific, making them backward for left-handed people. Circular saws are one of the worst for lefties. Lefties have to pay attention to making the proper cut with this particular tool as the blade is on the right side of the machine.
Tape measures: For lefties, the numbers on the tape can be upside down because, as we all know, they are made for righties and become upside down and backward for lefties.
Credit card readers: The card slider is on the wrong side. Unless you have a chip card, the reader is on the bottom. I don’t know why they haven’t made the readers with a card slide on each side.
Car Cup Holders: (Geography specific) If you are in a country like the UK, where lefties are spared this problem rejoice because your fellow lefties are stuck with this struggle. The rest of the world had to drive while consciously searching for a cup holder or using your unwieldy right hand to find the cupholder.
Knitting and crocheting: Learning to knit and crochet with your left hand is supposed to be as easy as mirroring a right-hander. However, it’s not that simple. Not only can it be awkward, and some don’t pick it up that way, but most patterns are written for righties. I know a second cousin of mine who does crochet left-handed. She is self-taught. I could never get these with my left hand, so I taught myself to do both right-handed.
Social interactions. Throw someone off, shake with your left hand. High fives are also awkward. You can miss their hand. What about sitting at the left end of the table, so your left elbow doesn’t poke anyone. You get odd looks if you turn your paper at a 90-degree angle to write. Constantly bumping into people because you tend to move on the same side as they do. How about when the delivery guy needs a signature and wants to force the pen into your right hand.
Revolving doors: They move counterclockwise in favor of right-handed people, making it awkward and scary for left-handed people. That must be why I have never liked revolving doors. They scare me.
Golf clubs: Unless you learn to play right-handed, you’ll need a set of left-handed clubs. These can be quite a bit more expensive than their right-handed fellows.
Baseball gloves and playing baseball: Baseball can be awkward for a lefty if they don’t have a left-handed glove. I’ve heard stories of lefties wearing baseball gloves backward to catch with their right hand and throw with their left. Also, righties throw and hit at different angles than lefties. This difference can be uncoordinated for both lefties and righties.
Conclusion
So, there you have it. Our list of things only lefties understand. We all know the struggle of being left-handed. So many things are made for right-handed people and we as lefties make do by figuring out a way to use these products. The only other option is to go on an Indiana Jones-type quest to find truly left-handed options of these tools. What do you think of our list? Did I miss anything you have trouble with as a lefty? Please, let us know below in the comments.