# Any Lefties out there? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 6, 2008, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-lefties-out-there/436525 "2008-02-06T15:44:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Coup\_Fourre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce73a5/32.png) [@Coup\_Fourre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coup_Fourre)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2008, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-lefties-out-there/436525/1 "2008-02-06T15:44:48Z")
Hi there! I’m new to posting, but a long, long time lurker. We are getting a foot of snow, I’m bored and thought I’d see what other lefties have to say about our right-handed world. Just got (for my 41st!) a new Kitchenaid Artisan Mixer (Surf Green). I absolutely love this thing and have wanted one for some time. There is a pouring shield which comes with the mixer. Would you believe…it’s to the right! Turning it to the left almost renders the shield useless, as there is a huge gap in the front! Contacted Kitchenaid. No, only right-handed models. As I have in the past, I will adapt. Anyone else have a lefty in a right-handed world story? ---
**Author:** ![photopat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e95f7d/32.png) [@photopat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/photopat)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2008, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-lefties-out-there/436525/2 "2008-02-06T16:00:03Z")
You can’t see it but I’m raising my left fist in solidarity right…now. (Really, I did) Most things don’t bother me, since after 43 years I’ve generally adapted, as have you. I am surprised about that mixer though. You might check for a third party version online. I went to a left handed store years ago and bought two pair of scissors. I still have one of them and it’s the one thing I can count on being left alone at the office. Nobody else here is a lefty and any time somebody has tried to use them they’ve had trouble. Vive la Gauche! ---
**Author:** ![scareyfaerie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scareyfaerie/32/3135_2.png) [@scareyfaerie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scareyfaerie)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2008, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-lefties-out-there/436525/3 "2008-02-06T16:23:40Z")
I’m a lefty too - I have never seen anyone successfully use my lefty scissors and they pale at the thought of even breathing on my lefty tin-opener. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2008, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-lefties-out-there/436525/4 "2008-02-06T16:41:41Z")
[QUOTE=Coup Fourre] Just got (for my 41st!) a new Kitchenaid Artisan Mixer (Surf Green). I absolutely love this thing and have wanted one for some time. There is a pouring shield which comes with the mixer. Would you believe…it’s to the right! Turning it to the left almost renders the shield useless, as there is a huge gap in the front! Contacted Kitchenaid. No, only right-handed models. As I have in the past, I will adapt. [/QUOTE] Weird. Every KA pouring/splatter thing I’ve ever seen was ambidextrous. Mine can be freely spun around on top of the bowl to pretty much any position. But, I don’t have an Artisan, so it’s entirely possible they changed it for that model. So… Fencing or Mille Bornes? ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2008, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-lefties-out-there/436525/5 "2008-02-06T16:46:39Z")
Fellow lefty checking in here. :rolleyes: :mad: And I’m the **worst** kind of lefty. I’m lefty where all my fine motor skills (e.g. eat, write, play instruments) are concerned, but righty where my gross motor skills (anything to do with sports) are concerned. So instead of being a southpaw boxer, or a left-handed pitcher or batter, _where it would actually be an advantage_, I get ink on the heel of my hand, I elbow the person next to me at the dinner table, and I pay through the nose for my guitars - when I can even find them. It sucks. ---
**Author:** ![photopat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e95f7d/32.png) [@photopat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/photopat)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2008, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-lefties-out-there/436525/6 "2008-02-06T17:35:35Z")
[QUOTE=OneCentStamp] Fellow lefty checking in here. :rolleyes: :mad: And I’m the **worst** kind of lefty. I’m lefty where all my fine motor skills (e.g. eat, write, play instruments) are concerned, but righty where my gross motor skills (anything to do with sports) are concerned. So instead of being a southpaw boxer, or a left-handed pitcher or batter, _where it would actually be an advantage_, I get ink on the heel of my hand, I elbow the person next to me at the dinner table, and I pay through the nose for my guitars - when I can even find them. It sucks. [/QUOTE] I at least have the advantage of batting lefty. Of course, I have the _dis_advantage of sucking at baseball. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Tupug\_Anachi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@Tupug\_Anachi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tupug_Anachi)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2008, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-lefties-out-there/436525/7 "2008-02-06T17:42:44Z")
Wouldn’t it be cool if overnight, for just one day, everything was geared for lefties and all the righties had to adapt? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2008, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-lefties-out-there/436525/8 "2008-02-06T17:44:13Z")
I’m a lefty, but i’d have no problem with your pouring shield, because pouring is one of those things that i can do with both hands. I’m actually a weird mishmash of things. Left: Writing Throwing Bowling Kicking (soccer, etc.) Shooting (rifle or shotgun) Scissors Cutting (cooking, etc.) Some tools (saw) Wanking 🙂 Right: Tennis (and other racket sports) Golf, Baseball, and other “bat” type hitting. Computer mouse Spoon (for cereal, ice cream etc.) Some tools (drill, screwdriver, socket wrench, hammer) Shooting (handgun; never fired one, but it would be with my right hand) ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2008, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-lefties-out-there/436525/9 "2008-02-06T17:54:21Z")
Lefty here too. ---
**Author:** ![Coup\_Fourre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce73a5/32.png) [@Coup\_Fourre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coup_Fourre)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2008, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-lefties-out-there/436525/10 "2008-02-06T17:56:38Z")
[QUOTE=gotpasswords] Weird. Every KA pouring/splatter thing I’ve ever seen was ambidextrous. Mine can be freely spun around on top of the bowl to pretty much any position. But, I don’t have an Artisan, so it’s entirely possible they changed it for that model. So… Fencing or Mille Bornes? [/QUOTE] Mille Bornes. Played it and played it as a kid. BTW, you can actually spin the pouring/splatter thing around…but there is a huge opening when you spin it to the left; hence, splatter will occur. But, yes, pouring can be done with the “sinister” hand. ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2008, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-lefties-out-there/436525/11 "2008-02-06T17:57:05Z")
[QUOTE=mhendo] Wanking 🙂 [/QUOTE] Me too. I should have included this under “fine motor skills.” Well…some people might find it gross, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2008, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-lefties-out-there/436525/12 "2008-02-06T17:58:48Z")
I really wonder what percentage of the board is left handed. You can count me in as another one. ---
**Author:** ![Coup\_Fourre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce73a5/32.png) [@Coup\_Fourre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coup_Fourre)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2008, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-lefties-out-there/436525/13 "2008-02-06T17:59:33Z")
[QUOTE=Tupug Anachi] Wouldn’t it be cool if overnight, for just one day, everything was geared for lefties and all the righties had to adapt? 🙂 [/QUOTE] Oh yeah. Just for fun, though. Also, I would kill for a “Leftorium” in town. Ned had something! ---
**Author:** ![freckafree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freckafree/32/3050_2.png) [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2008, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-lefties-out-there/436525/14 "2008-02-06T18:02:33Z")
I’m another combo lefty. My current challenge is, since I’m doing the [thing-a-day.com](http://thing-a-day.com) thing, is trying new beading techniques, and all the directions/illustrations are for righties. My biggest kitchen bugaboo is ladles with a pouring lip. And measuring cups with markings you can read only if you’re holding the cup in your right hand. Left: Write Paint Needlework Chopping/slicing with knife Fencing Fork/spoon Screwdriver Right: Scissors Racquet sports Mouse Hammer Knit/crochet Shooting rifle/shotgun Use a paring knife I can bat equally badly from either side. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Credible](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a8b319/32.png) [@Justin\_Credible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Credible)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2008, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-lefties-out-there/436525/15 "2008-02-06T18:09:02Z")
[QUOTE=OneCentStamp] Fellow lefty checking in here. :rolleyes: :mad: And I’m the **worst** kind of lefty. I’m lefty where all my fine motor skills (e.g. eat, write, play instruments) are concerned, but righty where my gross motor skills (anything to do with sports) are concerned. So instead of being a southpaw boxer, or a left-handed pitcher or batter, _where it would actually be an advantage_, I get ink on the heel of my hand, I elbow the person next to me at the dinner table, and I pay through the nose for my guitars - when I can even find them. It sucks. [/QUOTE] I’m the exact same way. I eat and write left handed, but everything else is right handed. I’ve been practicing guitar right handed too, but I always wondered if I should have started practicing lefty instead. I’ve never really had any problems with being left handed, except when I sit to the right of someone in a restaurant booth. I’m always elbowing them. ---
**Author:** ![pbbth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f9ae1b/32.png) [@pbbth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pbbth)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2008, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-lefties-out-there/436525/16 "2008-02-06T18:14:16Z")
Another lefty checking in here! _raises left hand_ The only thing I use my right hand for is my computer mouse. ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2008, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-lefties-out-there/436525/17 "2008-02-06T18:24:23Z")
[QUOTE=Justin Credible] I eat and write left handed, but everything else is right handed. I’ve been practicing guitar right handed too, but I always wondered if I should have started practicing lefty instead. [/QUOTE] No, stick with righty. By the time I realized how much harder it was to get left handed guitars, I had already been playing for a couple of years and couldn’t bear the thought of re-learning, let alone now, after **20** years. But if I could go back and slap the 14 year old me upside the head and make him learn righty, I would. ---
**Author:** ![Scubaqueen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c0e974/32.png) [@Scubaqueen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scubaqueen)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2008, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-lefties-out-there/436525/18 "2008-02-06T18:47:45Z")
[QUOTE=freckafree] I’m another combo lefty. My current challenge is, since I’m doing the [thing-a-day.com](http://thing-a-day.com) thing, is trying new beading techniques, and all the directions/illustrations are for righties. My biggest kitchen bugaboo is ladles with a pouring lip. And measuring cups with markings you can read only if you’re holding the cup in your right hand. \>snip!\< [/QUOTE] ::: one more leftie raises hand ::: **freckafree** , you beat me to it with the measuring cups. how annoying IS that!? i use right-handed scissors because i never had a chance to change the pattern as a kid. in sports with sticks (baseball, lacrosse, etc.) my left hand is always closest to the end of whatever it is i’m holding at the time (not a big sports person). does that make me a lefty or a righty? 😛 Left: write paint throw mouse cut/chop/slice w/knife shoot (rifle or pistol) fork/spoon reach for phone needlework bowl fencing drink tap dance (my left leg does it better than my right) tools (powered or otherwise) Right: knife scissors possibly bat or golf? ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2008, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-lefties-out-there/436525/19 "2008-02-06T18:55:18Z")
[QUOTE=Scubaqueen] in sports with sticks (baseball, lacrosse, etc.) my left hand is always closest to the end of whatever it is i’m holding at the time (not a big sports person). does that make me a lefty or a righty? [/QUOTE] It makes you a righty. Welcome to the club. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Nutty\_Bunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d07c76/32.png) [@Nutty\_Bunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nutty_Bunny)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2008, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-lefties-out-there/436525/20 "2008-02-06T18:58:38Z")
[QUOTE=OneCentStamp] …I get ink on the heel of my hand… [/QUOTE] Whoa! I never realized until you said it that it’s not a universal problem. But, yeah, I guess right-handed people don’t have that problem. Hmm. The only thing I do right-handed is play golf. Well, there’s one other thing but I’m not mentioning it on a public message board. :o Oh, there is one more thing. I use my mouse with my left hand, but I click with my middle finger. I guess I’ve adapted more than I realized, since I’m used to scissor handles cutting into my hand and I never even noticed the measuring cup, ladle thing, even though I use my left hand for these things. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-lefties-out-there/436525.md?page=2)