Roughly 1 in 10 people worldwide are lefties. Today is one of those silly holidays no one pays attention to, except the 1 in 10 folks – like myself – who have to spend every day operating in a world that’s basically a giant right-handed playground.
If you’re a righty, you likely don’t realize how many small, everyday things are stacked against us. I’m not saying we deserve our own handicapped spaces, but living in a world designed for righties comes with all sorts of disadvantages we just learn to adapt to.
Even a lot of left-handed folks don’t fully realize how many products are designed and engineered without even the slightest nod to the the sinistral portion of the population that makes up roughly 10% of the world.
Fun fact: The scientific term for left-handedness – “sinistral” – comes from the Latin “sinister,” meaning “left”, because ya’ll used to think we were witches and warlocks. Seriously.
Sure, the big offenders like scissors and can openers get all the press. But the real betrayals are sneakier. Let’s take a tour of the subtle design choices that feel like a personal attack if you’re a lefty.
Zippers on jeans
That flap covering the zipper? It’s always on the left, which means trying to zip with your left hand is basically an Olympic-level sport.
Credit card machines
The swipe slot is always on the right side. And if there’s a pen, it’s tethered to the right too. Same story at banks.
Measuring cups
Hold it in your left hand and suddenly you’re measuring in milliliters instead of ounces. Not a problem if you’re doing metric, but this is ‘Merica! (Luckily, left-handed bakers do have options now.)
Car fobs with flip-out keys
The switchblade-style ones are designed so righties can flip them open smoothly. Lefties? It opens into the palm of your hand unless you do it upside down and push the button with your finger instead of your thumb.
Microwaves
Hit the open button with your left hand and get smacked in the arm by the door. Every. Single. Time.
Rulers and tape measures
Use one left-handed and the numbers are upside down. Why you gotta be sabotaging my DIY projects all the time!?
Power tools
This one’s a serious safety issue! Chop saw handles are commonly on the right, meaning lefties have to cross their arms over the blade like they’re auditioning for a workplace safety video.
Novelty coffee mugs
If there’s only printing on one side, it’s usually placed for righties so everyone else sees the funny design. Lefties get to see it, but don’t get to share. Everyone else just sees the blank side.
Playing cards
Many decks only have numbers in two corners, which means if you’re playing left-handed, you’re basically flying blind.
Serrated knives
The teeth are angled for right-hand cutting, so lefties end up slicing bread thicker at the bottom and thinner at the top. Seriously, it’s a thing that even most lefties don’t know about. They sell special left-handed knives now that would cause the same issue if righties tried to use them.
Yes, it’s a right-handed world out there, and lefties have to adapt every day. So if there’s a special lefty in your life, maybe buy them a pair of lefty scissors and a mug with printing on both sides. It’s the little things.
