LEFTY GALORE

[42]

I remember seeing a book about lefties, part of which dealt with possible differences in mortality based on handedness. I'm not sure how much credibility to give it, but some of it made sense.

The book suggested that higher mortality might be expected due to lefties trying to live in a right-handed world. (Have you ever seen a left-handed person trying to use an electric table saw?!) But it also suggested that a difficult/traumatic birth resulted in both:

1. a greater mortality rate, not just at birth, but also later in life from a variety of causes; AND
2. a greater probability of being left-handed.

This suggests a correlation between handedness and mortality (vs. a cause-and-effect relationship).

[Dr T Non-Fan]

I consider myself lefty, even though I do many things right-handed. I do them right-handed, because I've deemed them more efficient for me.
Opening a car door, for example. Left hand for the driver's side, right hand for the passenger side.
Table saw: right hand.
Table tennis: both. I'll use two paddles on occasion. Better with the right.
Gun shooting: right.
Pool shooting: left.
Hockey shooting: right.
Writing: right.
Throw: left.
Bats: both, started with right.
Juggle: both.
Kick: left is stronger.
Dribble and shoot: left. No right whatsoever.
10-key: right. Found a book that shows how to hold the pencil while 10-keying. Published in 1950's as a manual.
Mouse: right. Allows me to keep using shortcut keys like Ctrl-C and Ctrl-V.
Eat: right. Cut: left.
Drink beer: both.
Out of a ladle: right.

[42]

I eat and write left handed. I also play most sports left-handed. The things that I do right-handed (using scissors, playing pool, etc.) are things that right-handed people showed me how to do at a very young age.

[ne11er]

Okay, here's something for you actuaries out there (or those of you aspiring to be one.) IF two parents are righties, there is only a 10% chance that their child will be a lefty.

My parents are both righties. I'm a pure lefty. No right hand stuff here, except for a few things that don't require extreme coordination of the right hand. Otherwise, pool, throwing, batting, writing, scissoring, drinking beer, flipping burgers, etc is all done with my left hand.

But, here's the kicker. My younger sister is ALSO a lefty. However, she's much more ambidexterious (? spelling). And my older brother is a righty. So...anyone out there believe in genetics causing which hand one will use? I also have two aunts and an uncle on my mom's side who are lefties. All grandparents were righties.

Any theories?

[ne11er]

BTW...the 10% lefty tidbit came from the cool lefty calendar I have, not from thin air.

[Maine-iac]

A lefty friend really wanted to learn to knit and she had a terrible time until she finally found another lefty to teach her. Righties just can't teach lefties how to knit.

[JMO]

Sure they can (teach 'em to knit). Just use a mirror.

{edited to fix a typo.}
_________________
Carol (Just My Opinion) Marler

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: JMO on 2001-11-07 08:36 ]</font>

[ne11er]

My mom (or maybe it's me) doesn't have enough patience to teach me how to knit like a lefty. But somehow, I learned how to crochet while watching her show my sister's friend. I also learned how to cross-stich from my mom, but that's not as complicated as knitting.

Sewing machines are lefty handicap as well.

While, it's easy to just say "Reverse everything that your mom does in knitting." That is harder on the brain than it seems!

[Effa]

Neller - was the milkman a lefty?

[Damn, Dirty Ape]

"I also have two aunts and an uncle on my mom's side who are lefties. All grandparents were righties. Any theories?"

Yeah. This was brought up earlier about how years ago, kids who favored their left (sinister) hand were smacked until they started using their right. Maybe some of your grandparents are natural lefties who were converted?

My aunt was converted this way by nuns at her catholic school. She deffiantly (stubornly?) continued to use her left, and now she's ambidextrous!