That has a derogatory ring to it. I just read that up to 93% of people are right-handed. I’m a leftie, a southpaw, and according to history you’re dexterous, I’m sinister. Wikipedia has an informative site on left-handedness. My father was left-handed but his knuckles were rapped enough to change him. He swore he would not change or allow anyone to change the two of his four children that followed suit.
At school I was issued safety scissors with a green plastic handle and blunt ends, even though I’ve never been able to use scissors with my left hand. Golf was interesting, in my short stint at lessons I was told by the Pro that I should use regular clubs because all the action is from the left hand, the swing and follow-through. As to guitar, which I just took up a few months ago, I never considered a left-handed guitar. It’s interesting reading as to well-known guitar heroes use their strong hand for the frets, not strumming (the awesome Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits). Perhaps as I take up guitar as a leftie on a rightie guitar, I spend more time learning chords and notes than getting through an entire song on the beat.
Knives are another issue. Kitchen peelers are rightie-based. I have to buy them for me. I’ve never bought a Japanese sushi knife but many of the Japanese knives are only made for right-handers and lefties used to have to special order. I can only use knives, or write, with my left hand. Many other motions are naturally done with the right hand (golf, guitar) and others are required of me, like starting the car with the key in my right hand.
Dad was caned. I was issued safety scissors. Let’s hope our teachers aren’t still penalizing children for being different. All my life, I’ve ended up in situations with groups of left-handed friends. All are smart and creative and my life would be less full without those experiences. Yes, I’ve been to a left-handed store and nothing stood out for me. The one thing I could use is a left-handed or dual-spout ladle. After all, I’ve turkey soup to serve! Cheers, Dee
Cooking with Dee 