*If you’re left-handed, like me, you’ve probably heard many of the myths attached to it. Some studies, though unproven, have even claimed lefties are more likely to develop conditions like dyslexia, ADHD, and psychological issues as severe as schizophrenia (damn!); and if you go way back, to the Middle Ages, when ANY differences were given the side-eye, lefties were associated with “the devil” and witchcraft. Heck, even as late as the 20th Century, lefties were forced to write with their right hand. Hmm…I think I remember this happening to me.
On the other hand, now that a lot of those myths have been debunked, and replaced by more recent FACTS (OK, ok. I may be a bit biased) that say southpaws have a greater capacity to think broadly, which makes for a great presidential quality; and we’re better in bed.
Oh yeah. Me likes this new way of thinking!
Here’s 10 things you may not have heard about lefties.
Look closely. That’s left-handed President Barack Obama signing that Bill! Other left-handed presidents include: Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Gerald Ford.
Even Sir Paul McCartney, one of the greatest songwriters ever, penned those hits with his left hand!
WHY STOP THERE? Our world would be SO DIFFERENT if it were not for these left-handed innovators, artists and thinkers!
That’s Oprah Winfrey right ‘dere signing…in case you live on Mars or something! I can’t even imagine living in a world where Oprah didn’t exist, can you?
Her left-handedness is accompanied by greats that include Aristotle, Leonardo Da Vinci, Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, and Bill Gates.
Breathe. We are in SUCH good company!
THESE CELEBRITIES ARE LEFTIES TOO!
You may not know it unless you asked for their autograph, but many of the biggest celebrities are left-handed. Famous southpaws on screen include Jennifer Lawrence, Tom Cruise, Angelina Jolie, Robert De Niro, and handsome-ass Morgan Freeman.
Joining Sir Paul McCartney, left-handed musicians also include Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, and Eminem.
HOT PROPERTIES!!! Lefties ‘Do It’ Better
While we alluded to this earlier, you may want specifics so…
A recent survey that suggests lefties have better sex than righties says out of 10,000 people surveyed, only 15% of right-handed people reported being “extremely satisfied” with their sex lives next to 86% of lefties who claimed they were “extremely satisfied.”
LEFTIES ARE BETTER AT MATH!
Now this is interesting, seeing as I took a class in college called “Math Without Fear”…but then again, I aced it!
A recent study showed that left-handed students scored between 5% and 10% higher than their right-handed counterparts on complex math tests. Lefties are thought to be great problem solvers because they typically use the right side of the brain — which is associated with abstract thoughts and spatial reasoning.
But not EVERY picture is rosy for left-handed folks…
SPORTS EQUIPMENT CAN PRESENT A REAL CHALLENGE!
Since sports equipment is mainly made with right-handed athletes in mind, lefties can have a hard time finding equipment for certain sports. Golf clubs, hockey sticks, and baseball gloves made for lefties are often in short supply, so many lefties are stuck with a limited selection or have to special order their equipment. Bah humbug!
But that hasn’t stopped lefties from DOMINATING in sports!
Lefties — also known as southpaws — have an advantage over right-handed opponents in certain sports, especially one-on-one showdowns in boxing, tennis, and baseball. Because lefties account for only 10% of the population, righties don’t train against lefties as often and are less comfortable facing off against them. Conversely, lefties are used to being in the minority and can adjust more easily, giving them a competitive edge.
Those darn scissors tho’
Lefties are often faced with the daily challenge of having to use devices and everyday items were made for righties: These items include scissors, can openers, ice cream scoopers, credit card swipers, zippers, computer mouses, school desks and the list goes on.
Though left-handed versions of some of these things exist, its like a needle in a haystack trying to find them!
WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW IS LOVE…AND CREATIVITY
The lengthy list of artistic lefties, and strong connection lefties have to the right side of the brain — which is linked to creativity — has reinforced the idea that lefties are more creative. But that connection may be more anecdotal than factual. What scientists have found is that lefties tend to be better at divergent thinking, allowing them to think of more possible solutions to a problem than just the obvious. It’s a skill that can certainly help with creative thinking.
I HATE THIS PART!!!
The awkward dinner guest!
There is no way to avoid THIS awkward situation. If you’re a lefty or you’ve ever sat next to one at dinner, you know that elbow space can be at an issue. Lefties usually end up bumping their left elbow into their right-handed neighbor’s elbow when they eat — not to mention spilling your drink when you collide with righties.
Damn!
What are your left-handed stories? Are you “Left Hand Proud” or would you change it in a heartbeat if you could?
