Left And Right

[Kaycee]

I'm just telling tales on myself here as I have problems with knowing my right hand from my left. I know for sure I write with my right hand, but if I am asked for directions to anywhere I have to think very carefully before I answer. Sometimes I am so confident, I will blurt out go left, only to realise hey that was wrong. Even if the harder I think about it I still make a mistake. Usually I just stumble with my reply and I am sure people think I am totally imcompetent. I think it is genetic, my mother has the same problem and so do some of my sisters and at least one of my sons and my husband (heck how did he catch that?) So in the car, we always say, go your way, or go my way, that solves that problem. It is rather bizarre to say the least.

Another thing, I do know what way to turn the tap off, but if I attempt to turn it off lefthanded, I always turn it the wrong way!

As a postscript, my mother and all my sisters are shortsighted (not my dad and brothers, they all have good eyesight except for dad) and only one of my is my sons, he got that from his dad. I tell you there is not hope for us.

Another peculiarity is that I am right handed and my son's fathers are right handed, how did it happen that I had three left handed sons? I think it is my side, as I do somethings lefthanded, but what are the chances of three left handers? On top of that my preseent husband wants to join in the fun and is lefthanded as well.

Cathy

[tarnalberry]

I know my left from my right, but when it comes to giving someone navigation directions, I do have to think about it for a bit. West/east is much easier for me. (Left and right is relative, after all.)

[Kaycee]

Yes I could use west/east, but it could be a bit difficult, I mean wouldn't you need the sun out to know which way is which, and there aint much here today! Lol

Compass!

Cathy

[Nantzie]

I put little tiny flower stickers on the bottom corners of some of my cabinets on the sides where they actually open -- rather than the sides that don't open, which I'm always trying first.

My husband and I are total opposites when it comes to directions. We both grew up in the same suburb, about 1 mile apart. We've known each other since we were 15/16 years old. He navigates by landmarks and has absolutely no memory for street names. I can look at a map, figure out where I am and where I need to go, and remember that map forever. If we're somewhere in the out-of-doors where we are navigating by landmarks/hills/trees/rivers and no street names or anything like that, then I'm completely useless. But my husband always seems to know exactly where we are and how to get to where we need to be. So I guess we make a good team.

It can get frustrating if I'm trying to tell him how to get somewhere because if I mention a street name, he gets totally lost. I mean, he's driven on some streets twice a day since we were teenagers and he still doesn't know the names. Meanwhile, I can tell you by street names and turns how to get somewhere, but I couldn't tell you if it was on the southeast corner, the northeast corner or what.

I had a friend in high school who couldn't tell her left from her right until she got engaged. I'm lucky. I've got a scar on my left hand, or I think I'd be the same way.

Nancy

[Viola 1]

I have a good friend that can't tell left from right. She's a school teacher, or was, she's retired now. However, we went on a long trip and she was reading the map, and she almost drove me crazy telling me to turn right, when it should have been left. It got to be a big joke "turn left right here"

I'm not sure what causes it though.

Nancy, that's the same with my hubby and I. Except he can navigate around a city just super ... he used to be a taxi and bus driver. But if you get him 50 ft. off the highway in a woodsy area, he is just completely turned around and backward.

I'm the opposite. I can get around the bush just fine, but can't find my van in a parking area.

[Guest cassidy]

I don't know my left from right. Yes, if I am not pressured and I look at my hands I can figure it out, but like you said, if someone is asking me which way to go, I point and call it left or right and half the time I have the word wrong. I use the "your way" and "my way" in the car with other people. My husband thinks I'm crazy because I will be pointing left and saying "I go right, correct?"

I can't read a map either. I can track the route on the map but it would take me a very long time of sitting there turning the map or turning myself to try to figure out how to use the map to actually get somewhere.

The other thing that I can't do is lace shoes. I usually love patterns but for some reason that pattern makes no sense to me. I always switch how I'm doing it in the middle and I never lace both shoes the same. Good thing I'm an adult now and most of my shoes don't tie.

I think these are some sort of learning disabilities because I am very analytical and can usually grasp everything else. My mother's cousin is the exact same way - good thing we don't travel together.

[darlindeb25]

Hehe--we are not created equal! If we all were the same, what a boring world this would be. I tell my daughter to look to the right and almost always have to say, "Look to your other right!" I am very good with directions, very good with maps, and I never get lost. I may not beable to find what I am looking for, but I can always retrace my steps and get back to where I was. I moved here 2 years ago and give better directions to patients then the people who grew up here. My ex, he was a truck driver and I swear, he could get lost in a box.

It doesn't matter in the long run. Each of us are good at some things and not so good at others. It's a fact of life and it's what keeps life exciting. I am a people watcher and you would be amazed at what you see out there. Some very simple, obvious things to me, seem very difficult for others--then what seems difficult for me can be quite simple for someone else.

I live in a basement apartment and the circuit breaker box for the house is in my living room. Last night the landlord's son was banging on my backdoor. He wanted to trip a breaker. He opens the box and says, "None of these are marked, how do I do this?" He is 14 and thinking he is 20. I asked what was the problem. He explained to me that his cable box wouldn't reset and he couldn't watch tv. He wanted to trip the breaker to the den to cut the power to the box. I said, "Chris, just unplug it from the socket for a minute or so, then plug it back it, it will reset itself." That never occured to him!!!! Life is interesting!

[ianm]

I have a scar on my right thumb and that is the only way I can tell right from left. However I can write with both hands and swing a baseball bat on either side.

[ArtGirl]

I attribute difficulty with left/right and other directions as a form of mild dyslexia. I also have some reading problems. Not real bad as to interfere with work or other things, but definitely the directions thing is a challenge. I always have to stop and think before saying left or right. I canNOT read a map that's not alligned the way I am going, so often I read them upside down (if I'm traveling south) or sideways (if traveling west or east).

I used to live in Denver, Colorado and it was easy to tell which direction I was going because I could see the mountains in the west. When I moved away from there, I really had a hard time with east/west, north/south - still do.

[jerseyangel]

I have a scar on my right thumb and that is the only way I can tell right from left.

OMG--me too!

I always have to think for a second, and run my index finger over my thumb just to be sure. I thought I was the only one.

I also can not read a map to save my life, and I'm terrible at giving directions--although if I have plenty of time to think it through, I can do it. Not just off hand, though. I get flustered and get my left/right, east/west mixed up.

[Guest cassidy]

What is this east and west people are posting about???? I have absolutely no clue which direction I'm going in and I just don't get it at all. I used to live on the east coast so I knew if I was on an east/west highway the water would be to the east. Now, I live on the west coast of Florida. I have been here for 4 years and I still assume that when I'm on an east/west highway the water will be to the east, and it really is to the west. I feel like someone moved the sun or something because it is so confusing that the water is on the other side.

I think it is crazy when people give directions and tell you to go north? What is that? If they don't say "turn towards the McDonald's sign at the intersection" they have lost me.

[darlindeb25]

I attribute difficulty with left/right and other directions as a form of mild dyslexia.Honest you guys, lots of people have no sense of direction--doesn't make you dyslexic. I'm sure you are very good at things I can't do--that's the way it is. My sister is a wonderful cook, I could care less about cooking--I can sew just about anything, she doesn't sew. I am a neat fanatic, she lives in clutter. We are all different. Some of us have a sense of direction and we help take care of those of you who do not.

I do not think of myself as dyslexic, I do however think I have ADD. Many things distract me. Everything has to be in it's place or I am lost. Three weeks ago, I was getting ready to leave for work, then I remembered I had to email someone first. I sent my email and walked out the door. As I got to the gate, I realized my keys were not in my hand or pocket. Of course, I always lock my door--so, here I was, in the yard with no keys. Thank God my landlord was still home and let me in to my apartment. My keys were laying by the computer--never, ever do I put them there. They either lay by my phone on the cupboard or on my purse. Laying by the computer is why I walked out without them. By the way, that was the 2nd time in 5 days that I lost my keys--the first time, I locked them in the car on a 4 degree day. This is very aggravating to me, every bit as much as any of you feeling aggravated because left and right confuse you. We just have to over-compensate for these types of problems. Everything has it's place for me and you need to establish landmarks that help you know which way is what. It's not easy--never easy.

I do understand how you feel.

[CarlaB]

If you hold both hands up, fingers together, but thumbs parallel to the ground, the left hand will make an "L". Of course, you have to know which way an "L" goes!! I didn't know my right from left till high school when I learned this. I am good with N, S, E, and W ... even on a cloudy day.

It doesn't help that I do most things with either hand ... I can eat as easily with either my left or right hand, though I favor my right ... I write with my left, but am able to write with my right.

As far as I know, I'm the only lefty in my whole family.

[ArtGirl]

Here's a page on a dyslexia site where people have listed their methods of telling left from right. Some are the same as you all have mentioned. It's interesting.

Open Original Shared Link

[Kaycee]

The thought of being slightly dyselexic and ambedextrous and probably the fact I can't spell might have a bearing with the left and right thing. I do muddle up numbers, but not letters. I'm usually pretty good at spelling the queen's english.

I do automatically know my right hand from my left, but when I am giving directions, I do not associate it with my hands (Oh, yes I even talk with my hands). Maybe I should. Yes, I know my left hand makes an L.

There is just a short circuit there.

Cathy

[lonewolf]

Just a weird aside here. Has anyone else ever tried writing with their right hand the normal way and writing the same thing with their left hand backwards, both at the same time? (Think mirror image.) I used to do this all the time and thought that everyone could.

I do have to stop and think about left and right - I'm often in front of one of my classes and tell them to hold up their right hand while I hold up my left, or move to the left while I move to the right, so they get it, but then it messes me up.

[gfp]

Just a weird aside here. Has anyone else ever tried writing with their right hand the normal way and writing the same thing with their left hand backwards, both at the same time? (Think mirror image.) I used to do this all the time and thought that everyone could.

I do have to stop and think about left and right - I'm often in front of one of my classes and tell them to hold up their right hand while I hold up my left, or move to the left while I move to the right, so they get it, but then it messes me up.

I do this all the time although forwards, backwards or upside down make little difference...

With a bit of practice you can write two completely seperate things with both hands at the same time or what I find useful is a different colored pen in one hand when taking notes and I just use the other hand when i get to the point ...

The reason left and right are so confusing is they don't really exist... you don't actually have a left side because of you turn over its your right side. If your spatial awareness is high then this is rather obvious hence its confusing...

I tend to just write with which ever hand is convenient... practice wise its my left but if Im presenting and using a whiteboard etc. I just stand to whichever side is best and use the appropriate hand... the same goes for using tools .. some are designed to work one handed so I use a corksrew and scissors right handed .. others like a hammer, wrench or drill I use whichever is easiest...

[darlindeb25]

Has anyone else ever tried writing with their right hand the normal way and writing the same thing with their left hand backwards, both at the same timeI can do this too, always have. My dad and brother are lefty's. None of the grandkids are lefty's.

There has been much study done about left handed and right handed people. Left handed people think with the right side of their brain and right handers think with the left side. It's amazing. We do live in a right handed world though. Most things we do are initially for right handed people and the lefty's have to adjust. I work with 2 lefty's and they claim to be superior which we righty's just let them think they are. My brother always did his handwriting as if he wanted to be a righty. He turns his hand as a righty would do and then smears his work as he drags his hand across it.

Of course, being right handed or left handed has nothing to do with knowing one from the other in directions. I used to try to teach my daughter that she is right handed so therefore when she needs to know left from right, all she had to do was think about which hand she writes with--still didn't work. She will never know directions, yet I also notice that she doesn't care. She doesn't pay attention to where you are going, she just does not care to know. In time she learns where things are, yet could never tell anyone how to get somewhere. She would say--it's that way and point in the right direction, but that's it. Sometimes she even talks like that--starts in the middle and expects me to know what the beginning was to her thought!!!

[darlindeb25]

Kaycee--I just saw this about talking with your hands. Kev is a righty like me, yet he does talk with his hands too, as do many people, left or right. I often tell him if his hands were broken, he wouldn't know how to talk.

I found this website: Open Original Shared Link it says:

Lefthandedness

Being left-handed is like being in a secret club. We have our own bizarre initialization rituals, such as learning how to write "the wrong way." We pay our dues every day, in terms of the extra effort that we must make to live in a right-handed world. When we encounter another lefty, we immediately have something in common. The club is shrouded in secrecy, because we rarely mention the topic to our right-handed friends.

For fun, I started making a list of the aspects of everyday life that are geared towards right-handed people. Lefties will probably recognize most things on this list; righties might find some of these things surprising. Anyways, I hope you enjoy reading it! :-)

We have to use special "lefty" scissors.

We write from left to right, so that our hand smears the fresh ink across the page. (Righties' hands do not touch the ink until they get to the next line, so the ink has a few seconds to dry.)

If you grab a coffee mug with your left hand, the picture will be facing away from you. (Righties get to look at the picture while they drink.)

Lefties have little choice where they get to sit at large dinners, lest they bump elbows with a righty.

Lefties have little choice where they get to sit in lecture halls. Often the only left-handed desks are on the end of the row. Lefties can't sit in the middle, unless they want to have a hard time writing.

When writing in a 3-ring binder (or spiral notebook), the rings get in the way of our hands when we write on the front side of the paper. (Righties have this problem when writing on the back of the paper, but this is easier to avoid.)

Many "commonly" used keys are on the right side of the keyboard. For example: backspace, enter, arrows, and numeric keypad.

Computer mice are generally set up so that the "main" button is the index finger for righties. If you want to use the mouse in your left hand, the "main" button is under your less-adept ring finger.

Bike gears are on the right side of the bike. This means that if you carry the bike on your right shoulder, the gears face outward. If you put the bike on your left shoulder, you'll get grease stains all over your clothes.

Bike helmet chin-strap buckles are easier to release with your right hand.

Hand-held jigsaws blow sawdust off to the right side. If you hold it in your right hand, it blows the sawdust away from you. If you hold it in your left hand, it blows sawdust in your face.

Drill presses have the handle (to lower the drill) on the right side. It's impossible (and dangerous!) to try to hold the wood with your right hand while controlling the drill with your left hand.

Lefties have to get their own "left-handed" boomerangs, golf clubs, hockey sticks, and baseball mitts. This means we usually can't borrow our friends' equipment.

Car stick-shifts are on the right side of the driver. Less frequently used controls, such as headlight switches, are on the left side.

High-end headphones (with only one cord) have the cord on the left side. The cord gets in the way more for left-handed writers.

BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) entrance/exit gates take the ticket on your right side.

When pants only have one back pocket, it's always on the right side. (Lefties have to fumble around for their wallet with their "bad" hand.)

Mini propane camping stoves are designed so that you can hold it with your left hand and pump up air pressure with your right, even if the stove is still hot. It's hard to hold it with your right hand and pump with your left hand without burning your right hand.

Piano keys are arranged so the more rapidly-changing higher notes are played with the right hand. For beginners, the base clef (left hand) is often optional.

Camera shutter buttons are often on the right. Pressing the button with our less-dextrous hand makes it harder for lefties to hold the camera steady while taking a picture.

"Ergonomic" chairs usually have the controls on the right side.

When firing an automatic or semi-automatic rifle, the ejection port blows casings past your face. (Courtesy of Chip Anderson )

When holding a pen or pencil in your right hand, you can read any lettering on it, but in your left hand, the lettering is upside-down. (Thanks, Dottie!)

[2Boys4Me]

Just a weird aside here. Has anyone else ever tried writing with their right hand the normal way and writing the same thing with their left hand backwards, both at the same time? (Think mirror image.) I used to do this all the time and thought that everyone could.

I can do that. I'm the only lefty in the family and I mirror-imaged my Mom when she was teaching me to print. Once I figured out how to do it right way around it was no problem. I learned how to read when I was four, so that probably helped, maybe I copied the letters after they were written, rather than follow my Mom. Does that make sense?

Pretty much anything that needs doing I can do with my right hand with the exception of cutting, preparing food, eating, using the phone and hammering. I prefer to pour with my left hand, but I could do it with my right. I have no problem using right handed can openers, mouses (mice?), scissors, etc. That's life, so I just figured it out. Oddly, I cannot throw with my left hand. If I'm playing catch or something, I have to throw with my right hand. Go figure.

Kaycee, when my older son was having trouble with left and right we'd refer to "driver's side" and "passenger side". For example: Walk to the end of the block and then turn to the driver's side and continue walking until you get to the four-way stop.

Having said that, our driver's side in Canada is on the left, not sure where it is in Australia/NZ.

[ArtGirl]

I'm right-handed but can do many things with my left hand, even write somewhat legibly. I can also write upside down and backwards with my right hand. (I had a very boring receptionist job once and had to do something to keep myself occupied.)

I can also pick things up with my toes This grosses my husband out...I can take a matchbook, remove the match, replace the cover, and get ready to strike the match. I won't actually strike it because I'm afraid I don't have enough control to keep from burning my toes

[Lisa]

I'm right-handed but can do many things with my left hand, even write somewhat legibly. I can also write upside down and backwards with my right hand. (I had a very boring receptionist job once and had to do something to keep myself occupied.)

I can also pick things up with my toes This grosses my husband out...I can take a matchbook, remove the match, replace the cover, and get ready to strike the match. I won't actually strike it because I'm afraid I don't have enough control to keep from burning my toes

An artist, is an artist, is an artist......Cirque de Soleil may be calling.

[Kaycee]

Kaycee, when my older son was having trouble with left and right we'd refer to "driver's side" and "passenger side". For example: Walk to the end of the block and then turn to the driver's side and continue walking until you get to the four-way stop.

Having said that, our driver's side in Canada is on the left, not sure where it is in Australia/NZ.

We down here drive on the left hand side, same with Australia, must be an unwritten commonwealth requirement.

I don't have any trouble with driving. No problem with staying on the left hand side. I think my sense of direction is fine and I can read a map. The only problem is really directions, and like you I say go your way or my way. My husband is just as bad with his left and right side, I think we are just unlearnable.

I remember when I lfirst earnt how to knit, I would knit one row, right to left, and without turning everything round, proceed to knit the next row left to right.

Cathy

[Rachel--24]

I think it is crazy when people give directions and tell you to go north? What is that? If they don't say "turn towards the McDonald's sign at the intersection" they have lost me.

Me too!! I have no clue what "Go North" means.

North, South, East, West.....How the heck can we figure this out??

I think its cruel and unusual punishment when someone gives me directions using N,S E, or W.

If you try to explain it to me...I still wont "get it".

Its bad enough trying to figure out Left and Right...but at least I can just look down at my hands for this.

I get really confused trying to screw stuff on or off....I have to tell myself "Righty, tighty...Lefty loosey". But then I still have to figure out which way is right...and which way is left...

[Rachel--24]

I often tell him if his hands were broken, he wouldn't know how to talk.

Thats me.....I'm out of control with my hands when I talk.

People tease me about it.....oh well.

I honestly dont know how I could express myself if I was unable to use my hands.