# 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:** 3
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2017, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handedness-and-stirring-direction/558014/41 "2017-12-29T01:36:28Z")
Clockwise. When I’m in Australia, I stir counter clockwise. ---
**Author:** ![MoonMoon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moonmoon/32/2959_2.png) [@MoonMoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MoonMoon)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2017, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handedness-and-stirring-direction/558014/42 "2017-12-29T03:33:19Z")
Left handed: clockwise Right handed: counterclockwise To do it the opposite way would mean pulling my elbow into my body, instead of pushing it away, which isn’t as strong a motion. ---
**Author:** ![JustinC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justinc/32/8083_2.png) [@JustinC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustinC)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2017, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handedness-and-stirring-direction/558014/43 "2017-12-29T07:09:27Z")
Up and down. Not very effective at mixing but great at getting out of kitchen duties. ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2017, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handedness-and-stirring-direction/558014/44 "2017-12-29T09:24:16Z")
RH, coffee counterclockwise, cake mix clockwise. Because I tip the bowl and apply the stir force to the deeper, lower level contents of the bowl. BTW, when stirring something thick like batter, I stir with the dowel-handle end of the wooden spoon. Stirs just as thoroughly, but with a lot less resistance. ---
**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 29, 2017, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handedness-and-stirring-direction/558014/45 "2017-12-29T13:48:07Z")
> [@Pehr\_Wag](#): > > Movement preference (clock or counter-clock), which may or may not have other behavior manifestations. Such as? > [@Pehr\_Wag](#): > > 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. About what? ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2017, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handedness-and-stirring-direction/558014/46 "2017-12-29T14:21:14Z")
Right handed, clockwise. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2017, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handedness-and-stirring-direction/558014/47 "2017-12-29T14:33:29Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Right handed, clockwise. Lefty, and I can stir CW, CCW and I can change directions in the middle of stirring without stopping. Bowl or cauldron alike. Doesn’t matter. Top that. 😛 ---
**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 29, 2017, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handedness-and-stirring-direction/558014/48 "2017-12-29T14:44:06Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > Lefty, and I can stir CW, CCW and I can change directions in the middle of stirring without stopping. Bowl or cauldron alike. Doesn’t matter. > Top that. 😛 Very well. I can stir in either direction, with both hands. Two cups, at once. While I chew gum. Still waiting to learn about the implications of these _behavioral 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 29, 2017, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handedness-and-stirring-direction/558014/49 "2017-12-29T15:18:00Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Such as? > About what? Think about it. One type of people has a proclivity to turn one way, another the opposite. And yet, oddly, nobody seems to recognize this as important in a broader sense. Knowing this might begin an interesting analysis that might determine other critical manifestations that help shed light on our modern reality. Looking at a snail shell from the top, it always spirals outward (growth) in the clockwise orientation. Turn it over, and it spirals counter-clockwise inwardly (collapsing into itself, aka death spiral). Nature is very consistent like this, a universal thing. But people are not universal like this. We can observe ourselves honestly and see how our fit or don’t fit with modern conventions or with other individuals. We do this for modern politics (which is very complex), but why not for something more primal and easy to understand? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2017, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handedness-and-stirring-direction/558014/50 "2017-12-29T15:44:55Z")
I’m right handed, and I do clockwise, but I recently saw what I thought was an interesting survey or poll. Draw a circle. How did you draw it? Turns out the vast majority of right-handers do it counter-clockwise. I was a bit surprised. I said I did it clockwise but, when I found myself drawing circles for my kids and paid attention, it turns out I did make them counter clockwise. So it looks like the fine motor skills of drawing have me make circular motions counter-clockwise, but gross motor movements like stirring, I go clockwise (or, figure 8, since I know that’s a bit better for mixing.) ---
**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 29, 2017, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handedness-and-stirring-direction/558014/51 "2017-12-29T16:15:52Z")
> [@Pehr\_Wag](#): > > Think about it. One type of people has a proclivity to turn one way, another the opposite. And yet, oddly, nobody seems to recognize this as important in a broader sense. Knowing this might begin an interesting analysis that might determine other critical manifestations that help shed light on our modern reality. Such as? > [@Pehr\_Wag](#): > > Looking at a snail shell from the top, it always spirals outward (growth) in the clockwise orientation. Turn it over, and it spirals counter-clockwise inwardly (collapsing into itself, aka death spiral). Nature is very consistent like this, a universal thing. Which side of the snail is the “top”? > [@Pehr\_Wag](#): > > But people are not universal like this. We can observe ourselves honestly and see how our fit or don’t fit with modern conventions or with other individuals. We do this for modern politics (which is very complex), but why not for something more primal and easy to understand? Nothing about what you’re saying is “easy to understand”. Can you provide a guide or resource where you get your information? ---
**Author:** ![BlueMerle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a87d85/32.png) [@BlueMerle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlueMerle)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2017, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handedness-and-stirring-direction/558014/52 "2017-12-29T16:53:14Z")
Lefty and CCW. #deathtorighty 😉 ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2017, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handedness-and-stirring-direction/558014/53 "2017-12-29T16:56:24Z")
I’m righthanded. I stir counter-clockwise. I’m clearly a freak. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![PoppaSan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/poppasan/32/189_2.png) [@PoppaSan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PoppaSan)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2017, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handedness-and-stirring-direction/558014/54 "2017-12-29T18:11:04Z")
> [@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. Gotta be careful stirring up these zombies. I stir with the right. Direction of spoon depends on how I hold it. If the spoon sticks out the thumb side of my hand to mix like eggs or soup or other lightweight material I go clockwise. For heavier materials that I need to work a bit like thick batters or dough, I’ll have the spoon flipped around and leaving from the pinkie side of the hand. Then I go counterclockwise. ---
**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 29, 2017, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handedness-and-stirring-direction/558014/55 "2017-12-29T19:33:54Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I’m right handed, and I do clockwise, but I recently saw what I thought was an interesting survey or poll. Draw a circle. How did you draw it? Turns out the vast majority of right-handers do it counter-clockwise. I was a bit surprised. I said I did it clockwise but, when I found myself drawing circles for my kids and paid attention, it turns out I did make them counter clockwise. So it looks like the fine motor skills of drawing have me make circular motions counter-clockwise, but gross motor movements like stirring, I go clockwise (or, figure 8, since I know that’s a bit better for mixing.) Trying to broaden the discussion beyond delicate stirring, which is a fine motion that can be heavily influenced by how you were first taught. The innate proclivity (transcending any conditioning) seems more a total body thing that would involve hip movement, which does initiate the stirring motion when some power is needed, i.e. difficult, continuous stir. As such, which way feels better when you have to stir a giant pot of thick stew or porridge for well over a minute? My guess is clockwise for the majority, counter for minority. ---
**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 29, 2017, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handedness-and-stirring-direction/558014/56 "2017-12-29T19:46:20Z")
> [@PoppaSan](#): > > Gotta be careful stirring up these zombies. > I stir with the right. Direction of spoon depends on how I hold it. If the spoon sticks out the thumb side of my hand to mix like eggs or soup or other lightweight material I go clockwise. For heavier materials that I need to work a bit like thick batters or dough, I’ll have the spoon flipped around and leaving from the pinkie side of the hand. Then I go counterclockwise. Forget zombies, if you were standing over a giant kettle of a witch’s brew, so thick you have to use two hands to mix in the snakes, which way for you? We won’t judge you on being a witch or not! Yet, at least. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2017, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handedness-and-stirring-direction/558014/57 "2017-12-30T03:32:11Z")
I’m messy-handed and for each hand it’s more natural to begin by stirring out-on-top. Right clockwise, left counter. Usually if I’m stirring something easy (such as sherbet) I use my right hand (more dexterous and weaker) clockwise with a few counterclockwise stirs for good measure. If it’s something more difficult (mashed potatoes, or the kind of powdered cocoa which tries to leave clumps), I’ll switch hands and directions multiple times because this makes it easier to use different paths and therefore find all the clumps. I hate clumps :mad: ---
**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 31, 2017, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handedness-and-stirring-direction/558014/58 "2017-12-31T01:35:59Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Which side of the snail is the “top”? Seeing it from below would seem to be counter to the majority. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2017, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handedness-and-stirring-direction/558014/59 "2017-12-31T02:33:52Z")
Righty, drawing a circle I will always go clockwise. Stirring depends on which side of the bowl I am working. left side of the bowl, counter clockwise, right side of the bowl clockwise. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Mondegreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/91b2a8/32.png) [@Lord\_Mondegreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Mondegreen)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2017, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handedness-and-stirring-direction/558014/60 "2017-12-31T04:39:35Z")
Left handed, living in the Southern Hemisphere, anti (counter) clockwise. Unless the dish requires a lot of stirring, in which case I will alternate somewhat in direction. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handedness-and-stirring-direction/558014.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handedness-and-stirring-direction/558014.md?page=4)