# Not Really Ambidextrous but kinda
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-really-ambidextrous-but-kinda/739215
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [December 2, 2015, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-really-ambidextrous-but-kinda/739215 "2015-12-02T15:38:45Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Klaatu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Klaatu)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2015, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-really-ambidextrous-but-kinda/739215/1 "2015-12-02T15:38:45Z")
I write with my left hand cant write at all with my right, throw righthanded cant throw lefthanded at all. As a tradesman I am comfortable with power tools in either hand.
Things like that. Are any of you like that?
---
### Author:  [@Stoneburg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoneburg)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2015, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-really-ambidextrous-but-kinda/739215/2 "2015-12-02T15:46:17Z")
No I am not, but I would like to be. Unfortunately I’m not conscious of the process that leads to left- or right-handedness. Was this an “innate” ability of yours or did you develop it, or was it a combination?
It’s interesting that you would chose different activities for different hands. In my case the right (dominant) one is dominant in all areas. It would seem quite advantageous to have a more equal relationship.
---
### Author:  [@JcWoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JcWoman)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2015, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-really-ambidextrous-but-kinda/739215/3 "2015-12-02T15:49:42Z")
I am. Here’s my rundown that I can think off the top of my head:
write - left
scissors - right
shoot firearms - right
starting foot - left
guitar - left
school desks - right [(the ones like this)](http://www.edtechmagazine.com/k12/sites/default/files/uploads/1970s_wraparounddeskviahub.jpg)
shoot pool - mostly left but am increasing skill at using my right hand also because sometimes shots just require it
In general, I’ve noticed that when I learn a new skill, say shooting for example, I will start out doing it with either hand and switch off frequently to figure out which one works better or is most comfortable. Also some tasks like sweeping, I frequently switch hands simply to keep going when one hand, arm or shoulder gets tired.
---
### Author:  [@Klaatu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Klaatu)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2015, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-really-ambidextrous-but-kinda/739215/4 "2015-12-02T15:49:58Z")
just naturally growin up
---
### Author:  [@Honey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honey)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2015, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-really-ambidextrous-but-kinda/739215/5 "2015-12-02T15:50:55Z")
The only thing I do right-handed is write. Everything else I do lefty.
---
### Author:  [@Klaatu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Klaatu)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2015, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-really-ambidextrous-but-kinda/739215/6 "2015-12-02T15:51:25Z")
right on jc thats where im at
---
### Author:  [@Klaatu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Klaatu)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2015, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-really-ambidextrous-but-kinda/739215/7 "2015-12-02T15:52:55Z")
so, im not the only one
---
### Author:  [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2015, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-really-ambidextrous-but-kinda/739215/8 "2015-12-02T15:53:24Z")
I had a right handed friend that bowled left handed, maybe a few other things that I am not aware of but I though that was strange. Most people I know are very much one way or the other. I envy you!
---
### Author:  [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2015, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-really-ambidextrous-but-kinda/739215/9 "2015-12-02T15:58:03Z")
I eat, write and brush my teeth with my left hand, and I consider myself a lefty. However, any athletic activity, I do with my right hand (I tried bowling with my left hand for a while when I had an injury that prevented me from bowling with my right – the experiment did not go well).
I can use scissors and a computer mouse with either hand comfortably. I often switch without thinking about it, depending on which side is more convenient at any given moment.
---
### Author:  [@JcWoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JcWoman)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2015, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-really-ambidextrous-but-kinda/739215/10 "2015-12-02T15:58:42Z")
It’s an interesting question, thanks for posting it! I’ve wondered if my habit of trying both hands until I settle into one (or… IF I settle into one, sometimes like with sweeping I never do) means I’m actually ambidextrous.
---
### Author:  [@MoonMoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MoonMoon)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2015, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-really-ambidextrous-but-kinda/739215/11 "2015-12-02T16:21:19Z")
Many (most?) lefties are ambidextrous to some degree. I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that we live in a right-handed world, and have had to adjust accordingly. For instance, it was much easier to just learn to cut with right-handed scissors instead of finding the one pair of left-handed ones in the classroom.
Some of it is down to our superior brains, though, I’m sure. 😉
---
### Author:  [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2015, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-really-ambidextrous-but-kinda/739215/12 "2015-12-02T16:24:58Z")
Left-handed: write, eat, use cooking utensils (stirring spoon, spatula), throw a Frisbee, unscrewing screws when a lot of torque is needed
Comfortable either way: computer mouse, dialing a phone
Right-handed: throw/kick any kind of ball, use scissors, play guitar, use tools (except unscrewing screws when a lot of torque is needed), use a knife, just about everything else.
---
### Author:  [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2015, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-really-ambidextrous-but-kinda/739215/13 "2015-12-02T16:29:46Z")
I’m pretty ambidextrous, though left-hand dominant.
Write: left, but can write legibly with right
Eat: left, but cut meat with right so I don’t have to change my fork
Sports: completely mixed up depending on the sport. For softball, I catch/throw right, but bat left.
Shooting: 100% right, but I am right-eye dominant so that makes sense. Easier to train your hand/arms than your eyes.
---
### Author:  [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2015, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-really-ambidextrous-but-kinda/739215/14 "2015-12-02T16:29:53Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#):
>
> Left-handed: write, eat, use cooking utensils (stirring spoon, spatula), **throw a Frisbee** , unscrewing screws when a lot of torque is needed
I had forgotten this one! Throwing a Frisbee is about the only “athletic” thing I can do with either hand. I can throw harder/farther with my right, but I’m more accurate with my left.
---
### Author:  [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2015, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-really-ambidextrous-but-kinda/739215/15 "2015-12-02T16:31:41Z")
Left leaning ambi write right. Elementary school forced me right for that. Not because of lefty hate, but because they didn’t understand natural ambi. I write poorly with either hand now. Missed opportunity I guess.
Throw, shoot, bat, catch either hand. I don’t even have the “Ambidextrous Indecision” problem.
I board goofy foot, kick right, and my left eye is strongly dominant
---
### Author:  [@JcWoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JcWoman)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2015, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-really-ambidextrous-but-kinda/739215/16 "2015-12-02T16:33:54Z")
> [@MoonMoon](#):
>
> Many (most?) lefties are ambidextrous to some degree. I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that we live in a right-handed world, and have had to adjust accordingly. For instance, it was much easier to just learn to cut with right-handed scissors instead of finding the one pair of left-handed ones in the classroom.
>
> Some of it is down to our superior brains, though, I’m sure. 😉
Agree on the superior brains but not on the “easier to learn” aspect. 😛 We did have left-handed scissors in the school I went to but they HURT my hand. I don’t know why. I could not use them, no matter what. Also, the “handed” school desks didn’t hurt me but the left handed ones just felt odd. I rather liked leaning on my right arm while writing with my left. How can you write an essay by leaning on the same arm? Those desks never made any sense to me.
---
### Author:  [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2015, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-really-ambidextrous-but-kinda/739215/17 "2015-12-02T16:34:27Z")
I didn’t have to move my ladder much when I did remodeling, because I could work equally well both sides. Til I tore up my leg.
.
---
### Author:  [@RobDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RobDog)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2015, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-really-ambidextrous-but-kinda/739215/18 "2015-12-02T16:36:38Z")
Lefty: writing, kicking, drinking, holding a spoon, holding a cigarette (used to), holding a dog leash, holding a Kindle/book, one-handed typing, stroking my chin while I ponder which things I do lefty or righty
Righty: Cutting, sawing, driving screws etc, throwing or bouncing a ball, raindrops on roses, whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles and warm woollen mittens, brown paper packages tied up with… no… hang on…
---
### Author:  [@Trom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trom)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2015, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-really-ambidextrous-but-kinda/739215/19 "2015-12-02T16:44:49Z")
Write: right
Throw: right
Hockey: left
Baseball bat: left
Golf: left
I think I play “stick” sports left-handed due to learning to swing a baseball bat lefty.
---
### Author:  [@stillownedbysetters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stillownedbysetters)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2015, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-really-ambidextrous-but-kinda/739215/20 "2015-12-02T16:46:11Z")
It runs in my family. My paternal grandfather could not only write equally well with both hands, he could do it at the same time. His was partially innate and partially the result of having the left-handedness tendencies ‘trained’ out of him by the nuns at his school. He could also draw with one hand while writing with another. It was amazing to see.
My father drew left-handed and played sports left-handed, but did everything else right-handed. His was innate.
The trait skipped me, perhaps because it follows the male gene.
My older son plays baseball and writes as a leftie, but when he plays basketball and hockey, he plays right-handed. He uses scissors as a rightie also. If you toss him something, he’ll catch it in his left hand, but if you hand him something, he’ll take it in his right hand. Again, totally innate.
My younger son writes left-handed, but does everything else as a rightie.
[Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-really-ambidextrous-but-kinda/739215.md?page=2)