Benjamin Franklin. Paul McCartney. Kurt Kobain. Barack Obama. Leonardo de Vinci. All of them incredibly accomplished, historical individuals – all of them left handed people.
Left handed people are in an exclusive club, as they make up only about 10% of the population. While there have been some myths propagated about being left handed, there are many truths regarding the special nature of being a lefty. While it is widely believed that southpaws have a distinct advantage in some areas, being a very small minority has its disadvantages as well.
Then there are things that left-handers have to deal with that we righties do not. For instance, did you know that lefties have to use special scissors? Or that many products made – from keyboards to bike helmets – can be a nuisance to use for lefties? Left handed people are everywhere are nodding their head in emphatic agreement.
We understand. This article is for lefties everywhere.
Here are 25 things that only our left handed companions will understand.
1. Writing can be a pain.
When lefties write, the must (obviously) move their hand left to right. When writing with a pen, they have to be careful not to smear ink!
2. Lefties have their own stuff.
Since so many things are designed for righties, left handed people have some things specially designed for them. Notepads, pens, scissors, and even can openers and boomerangs!
3. Sitting can be uncomfortable.
Walk into any lecture hall and odds are that every desk has the writing platform on the right side. At dinner, lefties have to explain they’re left-handed to sit somewhere that’s comfortable for everyone.
4. They have to get specially-made controllers (or practice a lot)
For those lefties who love video games, we know there’s some pain here. PlayStation, X-Box, Wii, and other electronic controllers are all made for righties. This hasn’t stopped them from dominating folks in this regard, however.
5. Driving has a learning curve
It’s not just stick-shifting that requires some learning; the majority of important car switches and levers are on the right side of the wheel. This hasn’t stopped them from being better drivers, according to some sources.
6. Punching numbers on a keyboard is annoying
More and more keyboards have a number pad. This is a welcome addition for students and professionals who no longer have to use a separate calculator…unless you’re a lefty. Nearly every number pad is on the right side of the board. A 60 keyboard is better for lefties.
7. Everyone greets you the “wrong” way
Let’s do this, lefties. The next time a well-meaning person sticks that hand out to shake, look ‘em straight in the eye and proudly extend your left arm. That’ll teach ‘em.
8. Most banks/retailers/shops will never understand
How about those attached pens to that annoying phone cord? Lefties have to stretch most of them to capacity just to sign their name!
9. Canned food is almost not worth it
Manual can openers are some of the worst enemies of left handed people. Any righty that’s tried to open a can with a manual can opener understands that it’s rarely smooth. Now, multiply this frustration by 10.
10. Even getting dressed can be a hassle
Everything, from necklaces and bracelet clasts to belts, watches and coat buttons are annoying for lefties. Nearly every clothing item – even jeans – can be a nuisance to put on. T-shirt’s, sweatpants and hoodies are some of a lefty’s best friends.
11. Spiral notebooks are a nemesis
Remember those handy, spiral pages that we all carried around in school? Lefties do…because in addition to them having to worry about smearing their own writing, spirals don’t let them to write without getting a wired imprint on their hand.
12. The “Are you left handed?” question
“Nope… its self-improvement month and I’ve decided to become ambidextrous.” Yes, righties, we know that left-handers are cool and rare, but they do exist. And just a bit of advice: lefties strongly dislike answering this question all the time.
13. Decals are upside-down
Okay, so this is a minor annoyance. But some of us enjoy having logos, text and other stuff on our writing instruments that we can read. Lefties have to read this stuff upside down.
14. Getting pumped when finding out a celebrity is a lefty
It’s rare to be a lefty. It’s even rarer to become a celebrity or someone famous. The odds of someone being a lefty and a celebrity are pretty much insane. So, when our left-handed friends find out someone they admire is a lefty it can be an exciting moment.
15. They have to arrange their dinnerware
When eating at a restaurant, lefties must re-arrange their entire setup. The silverware is always placed on the right side, as is the glass. At least lefties get their way at the buffet…unless the servers set the table, of course.
Benefits of Being Left-Handed
But it’s not all a pain…let’s take a look at the five benefits of being a lefty.
1. They have higher odds of being a genius
Researchers aren’t quite sure why, but lefties have a better chance of being highly intelligent. Some experts think that this may be because lefties are forced to use both sides of their brain more often. 20% of Mensa – the largest, oldest high-IQ society in the world – is made up of lefties, while counting for only 10% of the general population.
2. Athletes have an advantage
This is especially true in boxing, baseball and tennis. Opponents simply don’t face left-handed competition often. When they do, it can throw them through a loop. An example: Manny Pacquiao is one of the great boxers of all time because his southpaw approach is so hard to defend.
3. They can multitask better
This is another area where researchers aren’t quite sure why, but lefties are better at managing multiple tasks. Again, experts say it could be because lefties must use both hemispheres of their brain more often.
4. Creatively, they’re amazing
Research has shown that lefties are more likely to make the creative arts a career. So, to those left-handed artists, we extend our thanks in making the world a more aesthetically pleasant place to live!
5. They earn a bit more coin
Despite the above-noted disadvantages faced by left handed people in the classroom and workplace, they certainly aren’t less productive. The National Bureau of Economic Research shows that left-handed college grads earn 10-15 percent more money.
