The Enemies

Scissors and Potato Peelers

There are still sharp things out there that only work well using your right hand. Manufacturers are getting better about it, but every once in a while I run across something that doesn’t work quite right. And seriously, it’s a pain.

Pencils, Pens and Notebooks

Writing left-handed, I drag my hand over whatever I just put on the page. Many days of school ended with the side of my hand covered in graphite (this is also one reason I don’t like writing in pencil). The trick is to find a decent pen that doesn’t leave a liquid trail, though results are generally mixed.

Notebooks are harder. Writing with your hand being cut into by a wire spiral gets painful after a while. Steno books with the spiral binding at the top are a good alternative, I’ve never been weird enough about it to buy left-hand-friendly notebooks (though they do sell them).

Registers at Stores

Most registers are laid out to cater to their right handed clientèle. By this I mean the pen is attached to the right side of the wall, the open space is on the left corner of the wall and other such little things.

Golf Clubs

Finding discount clubs, or used golf clubs, for a left-handed golfer is much harder. Though the pricing should be the same, I have found that I tend to pay a bit more for clubs than the typical person, mostly due to a smaller selection available. For new golfers: learning to play the game backwards from the beginning is one possibility, though some people are more strongly left-handed than others.

Musical Instruments

I’m not going to restring a guitar backwards, so I’ve got to learn to play it right-handed. Trombone wasn’t so hard, but again, I just started playing it like most people do, even if it felt backwards to start.

Here's a Scary Thought

Some surgical & medical equipment better suits a dominant right handed operator. Think about that next time you go under the knife.

Advantages

An Edge in Competitive Sports

Playing backwards can be an advantage in a lot of sports, like baseball and tennis, where other players have a harder time countering your moves. This effect is minimized the better the opponent is, but hey, every bit counts.

This is also an advantage in your local fight club.

Valid Reason to Sit at the End of the Table

Nothing is worse than being jammed into the spot at the middle of a crowded table. Being left-handed, I’ve always got a great reason to sit on an end where I won’t elbow anybody.

People Assume Creativity

Okay, with an eyebrow pierced, occasional cynicism and my general topics of discussion, I’ve never had anyone think I’m an accountant, but maybe if you’re an accountant it would make you feel a bit more unique?