# What \[ahem... innocent\] things can you not do with your non-dominant hand? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 11, 2008, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ahem-innocent-things-can-you-not-do-with-your-non-dominant-hand/440982 "2008-03-11T16:21:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2008, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ahem-innocent-things-can-you-not-do-with-your-non-dominant-hand/440982/1 "2008-03-11T16:21:51Z")
As part of my weight training habit I am trying to even out the amount of activity done with each hand. My non-dominant right arm is too uneven in strength. Mainly I do mousework with my right hand now. Heavy lifting, door opening, pulling myself up stairs etc… As much as possible. But there are certain things that are near-impossible. It doesn’t feel comfortable and I don’t have the co-oridination for it. These things are… Precise/quick mousing (playing games, doing anything that requires my full mental attention (that’s weird, because it’s my brain not my hand)) Stirring things (particularly rapid or hard-work stiring) Writing (a three year old can write better than I can with my right hand, and a ten year old can write better than I can with my left hand) Brushing my teeth. (eng ug hurging myph mouf) Throwing things. ---
**Author:** ![Silver\_Tyger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Silver\_Tyger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_Tyger)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2008, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ahem-innocent-things-can-you-not-do-with-your-non-dominant-hand/440982/2 "2008-03-11T16:29:03Z")
I’m righthanded. I usually use my mouse / trackball with my left hand, for everything but really precise stuff. I eat with either hand (or both if I’m in a hurry) I can use a remote with either hand, does that count? Technically I can write with my left hand but it takes forever and looks like I’m in second grade… as opposed to my normla fast but illegible chicken scratching. I think that’s about it. ---
**Author:** ![Chessic\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7c8e57/32.png) [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2008, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ahem-innocent-things-can-you-not-do-with-your-non-dominant-hand/440982/3 "2008-03-11T16:34:47Z")
I can’t bend my pinkie down at the 2nd knuckle w/o my ring finger bending, but can on my right hand. Writing, of course. Throwing too. I can’t finger a guitar w/ my dominant right hand ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2008, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ahem-innocent-things-can-you-not-do-with-your-non-dominant-hand/440982/4 "2008-03-11T16:35:31Z")
Using the remote is one more thing I try to restrict to my un-dominant (is there a less awkward word to use than un-dominant??) (right) hand. Since it can be easy to forget that you’re holding a remote and tiring out an arm in the process. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2008, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ahem-innocent-things-can-you-not-do-with-your-non-dominant-hand/440982/5 "2008-03-11T16:40:57Z")
Lefty. Can’t write righty at all. Can’t conduct (baton), tie a necktie, or sew righty very well. ---
**Author:** ![Rysto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2008, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ahem-innocent-things-can-you-not-do-with-your-non-dominant-hand/440982/6 "2008-03-11T16:44:13Z")
[QUOTE=Lobsang] (is there a less awkward word to use than un-dominant??) [/QUOTE] Submissive? ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2008, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ahem-innocent-things-can-you-not-do-with-your-non-dominant-hand/440982/7 "2008-03-11T16:44:44Z")
… ---
**Author:** ![cher3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@cher3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cher3)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2008, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ahem-innocent-things-can-you-not-do-with-your-non-dominant-hand/440982/8 "2008-03-11T16:48:53Z")
I’m a lefty and I can’t write, use a knife, sew or do any fine work with my right hand. I do use scissor right-handed, but if it’s delicate work I have to guide the paper with my left hand while cutting with the right. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2008, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ahem-innocent-things-can-you-not-do-with-your-non-dominant-hand/440982/9 "2008-03-11T16:54:24Z")
[QUOTE=pravnik] … [/QUOTE] Think of it this way: What _can’t_ you not do _without_ your non-dominant hand? ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2008, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ahem-innocent-things-can-you-not-do-with-your-non-dominant-hand/440982/10 "2008-03-11T16:54:53Z")
[QUOTE=pravnik] … [/QUOTE] Curious to know what you _thought_ the title meant. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Ponch8](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponch8/32/9883_2.png) [@Ponch8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponch8)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2008, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ahem-innocent-things-can-you-not-do-with-your-non-dominant-hand/440982/11 "2008-03-11T16:59:19Z")
I’m right-handed, but I can bowl left-handed reasonably well. I do throw quite a few gutterballs left-handed, but then I get the occasional strike also. Sometimes when I’m doing really crappy right-handed, I switch to my left hand for the novelty and entertainment. ---
**Author:** ![Flander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8c91f0/32.png) [@Flander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flander)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2008, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ahem-innocent-things-can-you-not-do-with-your-non-dominant-hand/440982/12 "2008-03-11T17:00:54Z")
[QUOTE=IntelSoldier] I can’t bend my pinkie down at the 2nd knuckle w/o my ring finger bending, but can on my right hand. [/QUOTE] Ditto. Hold your ring finger straight and try to bend your pinkie. It just doesn’t work. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Madd\_Maxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Madd\_Maxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Madd_Maxx)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2008, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ahem-innocent-things-can-you-not-do-with-your-non-dominant-hand/440982/13 "2008-03-11T18:22:23Z")
Wiping my ass with my left hand while my right hand was in a brace was a real bitch. ---
**Author:** ![Anne\_Neville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2008, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ahem-innocent-things-can-you-not-do-with-your-non-dominant-hand/440982/14 "2008-03-11T18:27:17Z")
[QUOTE=Lobsang] Precise/quick mousing (playing games, doing anything that requires my full mental attention (that’s weird, because it’s my brain not my hand)) [/quote] I’ve tried mousing with my left hand. It didn’t work well at all. > [@](#): > > Stirring things (particularly rapid or hard-work stiring) Mr. Neville can stir with both hands at once. I shudder to think of the messes I would make if I tried that. I’m bad enough stirring or tossing stuff with my right hand. ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2008, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ahem-innocent-things-can-you-not-do-with-your-non-dominant-hand/440982/15 "2008-03-11T18:30:32Z")
I can stir with my right hand, if people don’t mind eating floor-pie. ---
**Author:** ![Silver\_Tyger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Silver\_Tyger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_Tyger)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2008, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ahem-innocent-things-can-you-not-do-with-your-non-dominant-hand/440982/16 "2008-03-11T18:57:43Z")
[QUOTE=Silver Tyger Girl] I’m righthanded. I usually use my mouse / trackball with my left hand, for everything but really precise stuff. I eat with either hand (or both if I’m in a hurry) I can use a remote with either hand, does that count? Technically I can write with my left hand but it takes forever and looks like I’m in second grade… as opposed to my normla fast but illegible chicken scratching. I think that’s about it. [/QUOTE] Sheesh, I think I need a new brain that can actually READ. I can’t write fast. I can’t catch or throw. I can’t use the stick-shift (that’s cheating, huh?) I can’t draw or use a stylus (very well at least) with my left hand. I can’t use a stapler or scissors. I can’t sew. ---
**Author:** ![JustThinkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@JustThinkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustThinkin)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2008, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ahem-innocent-things-can-you-not-do-with-your-non-dominant-hand/440982/17 "2008-03-11T19:26:20Z")
Very right-handed. The only thing I do left-handed is deal cards (deck in right hand, deal with left). When I try to do it the other way, it feels really awkward. ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2008, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ahem-innocent-things-can-you-not-do-with-your-non-dominant-hand/440982/18 "2008-03-11T19:58:01Z")
I can catch, with a mitt. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2008, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ahem-innocent-things-can-you-not-do-with-your-non-dominant-hand/440982/19 "2008-03-11T21:20:02Z")
[QUOTE=Ponch8] I’m right-handed, but I can bowl left-handed reasonably well. I do throw quite a few gutterballs left-handed, but then I get the occasional strike also. Sometimes when I’m doing really crappy right-handed, I switch to my left hand for the novelty and entertainment. [/QUOTE] I had a friend I used to bowl with regularly, and I could never beat him. He’d consistently bowl over 200, while my highest score was something like 161. Then one day I said, “Hey, let’s bowl one left-handed!” (we were both righties). I finally beat him … something like 36-29 😃 ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2008, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ahem-innocent-things-can-you-not-do-with-your-non-dominant-hand/440982/20 "2008-03-11T21:37:41Z")
I was eating with some people yesterday and one said, “I didn’t know you were left-handed.” Huh? If I have to use knife AND fork, the knife is in my right hand. But I thought that was the done thing to do, seeing as how we set tables that way. If I’m just using a fork, I’ll probably use either. I can do quite a few things left-handed…I used to think it would be cool to be ambidexterous so I would try different things both ways. I can write on a chalkboard left handed…slower, but still very legible. Writing on paper, which is probably more fine-motor, is not as good. I can throw a football left-handed…not as far, but somewhat accurate. I can swing a bat left-handed but unless we’re in slow-pitch, I’m in trouble. And once, I bowled five strikes in a row left-handed. Here’s a quasi-non-sequitur: test yourself to find which eye is dominant. Hold both hands in front of you, as far as your arms will reach. Form an aperture by putting the fingers of one hand over the other, and touch your thumbs at the bottom (sort of like the masonic sign). Focus your eyes on something in the distance, centered in the aperture. Then close one eye; is it still in your view? If so, that’s your dominant eye and when you close the other, the object you centered will disappear. I guess it doesn’t mean anything dramatic but it is supposedly hereditary. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ahem-innocent-things-can-you-not-do-with-your-non-dominant-hand/440982.md?page=2)