# Handedness and stirring direction **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 22, 2010, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handedness-and-stirring-direction/558014 "2010-10-22T15:33:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2010, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handedness-and-stirring-direction/558014/21 "2010-10-23T03:04:15Z")
> [@An\_Arky](#): > > Lefty and counter-clockwise, but I imagine that many lefties do stuff weird due to being subject to a right-handed world. No, we do weird stuff just to stir the righties! ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2010, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handedness-and-stirring-direction/558014/22 "2010-10-23T17:24:01Z")
Lefty. Counterclockwise until I learned that figure 8 is more effective. ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2010, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handedness-and-stirring-direction/558014/23 "2010-10-23T20:00:05Z")
Lefty, CCW ---
**Author:** ![Pehr\_Wag](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ba8739/32.png) [@Pehr\_Wag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pehr_Wag)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2017, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handedness-and-stirring-direction/558014/24 "2017-12-28T20:15:02Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > I’m right-handed, and it’s more natural for me to stir something counter-clockwise. How about you? People seem to have an orientation preference based on the type of person they are. Most people feel more comfortable or stronger initiating counter-clockwise-wise from the right hand. Also pertains to stepping off with the left foot, which together with the right hand movement (looking at total body) produce a figure-eight movement pattern always in the one direction. This also lends itself to a constant preference for a slight right pivot in walking, which can really mess up a hike in the woods. For others, everything may be exactly the opposite. ---
**Author:** ![Sveltington](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ab097/32.png) [@Sveltington](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sveltington)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2017, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handedness-and-stirring-direction/558014/25 "2017-12-28T20:42:12Z")
I am ambidextrous. When stirring with my: left hand = anticlockwise right hand = clockwise ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2017, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handedness-and-stirring-direction/558014/26 "2017-12-28T21:10:41Z")
> [@Pehr\_Wag](#): > > People seem to have an orientation preference based on the type of person they are. Most people feel more comfortable or stronger initiating counter-clockwise-wise from the right hand. Also pertains to stepping off with the left foot, which together with the right hand movement (looking at total body) produce a figure-eight movement pattern always in the one direction. This also lends itself to a constant preference for a slight right pivot in walking, which can really mess up a hike in the woods. For others, everything may be exactly the opposite. What do you mean by “the type of person they are”, and what does their stirring preference and stepping pattern say about them? ---
**Author:** ![Pehr\_Wag](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ba8739/32.png) [@Pehr\_Wag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pehr_Wag)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2017, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handedness-and-stirring-direction/558014/27 "2017-12-28T21:17:34Z")
> [@Sveltington](#): > > I am ambidextrous. When stirring with my: > left hand = anticlockwise > right hand = clockwise Which hand do you typically stir with, and what do you typically stir? ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2017, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handedness-and-stirring-direction/558014/28 "2017-12-28T21:18:03Z")
Lefty and clockwise. Wanna make something out of it? ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2017, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handedness-and-stirring-direction/558014/29 "2017-12-28T21:31:32Z")
Righty clockwise. I am pretty sure if I tried stirring counter-clockwise I would make a mess. Likewise if I tried stirring left-handed in either direction. I’m old. I’m set in my ways. On the other hand (heh) my DH, also a righty, says he alternates clockwise and counter-clockwise, and if the thing he’s stirring is thick and needs more strength he alternates hands as well as directions. He is old too but I guess not as set in his ways as me. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2017, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handedness-and-stirring-direction/558014/30 "2017-12-28T21:32:19Z")
Right-handed and clockwise. I could probably do left-handed and that feels like counter-clockwise. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2017, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handedness-and-stirring-direction/558014/31 "2017-12-28T21:58:12Z")
Both hands but always counterclockwise. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2017, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handedness-and-stirring-direction/558014/32 "2017-12-28T22:59:24Z")
Right handed. Depends. If it’s something stiff like dough, then CCW gives more leverage. Usually CW for most things, although sauces and cheese fondue get more of a figure eight to prevent sticking. ---
**Author:** ![Pehr\_Wag](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ba8739/32.png) [@Pehr\_Wag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pehr_Wag)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2017, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handedness-and-stirring-direction/558014/33 "2017-12-28T23:02:34Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > What do you mean by “the type of person they are”, and what does their stirring preference and stepping pattern say about them? Movement preference (clock or counter-clock), which may or may not have other behavior manifestations. ---
**Author:** ![Pehr\_Wag](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ba8739/32.png) [@Pehr\_Wag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pehr_Wag)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2017, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handedness-and-stirring-direction/558014/34 "2017-12-28T23:08:49Z")
> [@kayT](#): > > Righty clockwise. I am pretty sure if I tried stirring counter-clockwise I would make a mess. Likewise if I tried stirring left-handed in either direction. I’m old. I’m set in my ways. > > On the other hand (heh) my DH, also a righty, says he alternates clockwise and counter-clockwise, and if the thing he’s stirring is thick and needs more strength he alternates hands as well as directions. He is old too but I guess not as set in his ways as me. What and how you are stirring something makes all the difference. If you need power, or were you turning a wheel, you prefer your right arm low and turn up counter-clockwise, which is the stronger movement. Delicate stirring to keep a soup from separating might be the opposite. ---
**Author:** ![Pehr\_Wag](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ba8739/32.png) [@Pehr\_Wag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pehr_Wag)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2017, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handedness-and-stirring-direction/558014/35 "2017-12-28T23:31:06Z")
Forget stirring for a while, try this: Reach up the the sky/ceiling with both hands and begin a comfortable figure eight pattern. But be sure to initiate the pattern with your hips, not your arms. Try both ways. Which is the more comfortable orientation for your left hand, when your left hand is toward the left (there will be a retro movement to bring it back)? Clock or counter? Mine is clock, which I believe is more common. Knowing this, can tell you a lot. ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2017, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handedness-and-stirring-direction/558014/36 "2017-12-28T23:35:03Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > Lefty and counter-clockwise. Unless I’m in the southern hemisphere. Wowsers! Crossing the equator changes you from sinistral to dextral? That’s like a mega-sensitivity to the Coriolis effect! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2017, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handedness-and-stirring-direction/558014/37 "2017-12-28T23:53:22Z")
ambidextrous stirrer here, and which ever direction, I can’t tell you if I have a preference for counter or clockwise, never noticed. Why do I feel like there is a dirty joke hidden in this thread that I’m missing? ---
**Author:** ![rsat3acr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a3d4f5/32.png) [@rsat3acr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rsat3acr)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2017, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handedness-and-stirring-direction/558014/38 "2017-12-29T00:50:22Z")
left hander, use left hand to stir counter clockwise ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2017, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handedness-and-stirring-direction/558014/39 "2017-12-29T01:00:26Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > I can and do stir with either hand. When I stir: > > right handed - clockwise > left handed - counterclockwise > > To do the opposite with either hand is just not natural. > [@Sveltington](#): > > I am ambidextrous. When stirring with my: > left hand = anticlockwise > right hand = clockwise These, mostly. But I get bored and mix it up by going the other way. Still, mostly I stir this way, and I have more strength and stamina this way. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2017, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handedness-and-stirring-direction/558014/40 "2017-12-29T01:32:06Z")
Righty and I stir in both directions but clockwise is the most natural. Interspersing some counterclockwise stirs seems to mix things better. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handedness-and-stirring-direction/558014.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handedness-and-stirring-direction/558014.md?page=3)