20080306

"Left" Abandoned

This is a repeat post - want to share it again to more readers.
I am a "total LEFT handed person". A "southpaw"

Here in the United State there is a building code (bylaws) called ADA (Americans with Disability Act). It regulates the building designs in order to accomodate people with any diability - handicap, blind, hearing impaired. The law came about so that the disabled dont feel neglected and are able to participate to their best abilities in all different activities that a normal person performs.

Now in my case - I feel there should be a "World Lefties Act". We are a minority- approximately 17% of the world population (as posted in my earler post 23&ME). Apart from social stigma attached to being a lefty in certain cultures - this statement that I read reflects my constant challenges with me being ME

"In 2007, researchers discovered LRRTM1, the first gene linked to increased odds of being left-handed. The researchers also claim that possessing this gene slightly raises the risk of psychotic mental illnesses such as schizophrenia"

I will cite my reasons why I think the above law should be enacted - there are so many things a "left handed" person cant do or simply enjoy or has to adjust to - this is a list from personal experiences and research on net

- Scissors are always designed for Right Handed Person (No wonder I failed all my craft lessons but was good at abstract art)

- Fold flap chairs in school/colleges are always right handed - (I had to take two desks, one to sit and the other to write on - with the ire of anyone sitting next to me)

- Computer Mouse in all public places and libraries is always on the RIGHT. (But I dont complain - it made me ambidextrous)

- Glad that I will never be able a sharp shooter - all Firearms are designed exclusivly for right handed people

- Japanese kitchen knives are Right Handed (so cant be a Sushi Chef)

- Most vegetable peelers are Right Handed (Have to look for one to use it with both hands)

- Any ATM or check out scanner or a automated ticket booth is always geared towards the Righties. (Need to find out if Lefties spend less money due to this)

- Most Musical Instruments are right handed

- Most sports luckily are designed for both the hands baring - golf or hockey which are Right Specific. (Try asking for a Left Handed Driver in a golfing range)

- I only get two choices of seats when I go out to restaurants with friends. It has to be either end left corner. (Good part is I always get to order - bad because the bill lands on my lap)

- Ever realize when people say "Yeah Right" "Ahh Right" "All Right" - how do we lefties feel.

- The other big rejection I face all the time is forwarding my hand at a temple to accept favours (prasadam) - invariably my left hand goes up and Mr. Swami looks at me like I am some retard.

So I hope someday there is a Lefties Union who fight for our survival -
and makes us feel "Left Accepted" rather that "Left Abandoned"

42 comments:

Prats said...

aaawww....I'm sure there are a few good things out there for you to smile about.
But its ok....at least gives you the extra time on avoiding sports...
anyway golf is such a boring game ( my stand)

Peelers are available which are neutral...I have one... :P


The next time Swami glares at you just tell him that he should be glad you even accept the prasad. :)

Actually you ina chefs role would be good...design left handed and cook righthanded... heheh

alleft!! oh left!! yeah left!!!
Gosh!! it sounds like some marching parade...oops

A said...

hey I just love lefties!

glad to know u are one...

U should feel proud re, I would have loved it if I were one!

Cinderella said...

Heh..its not like that.

Most of he hiccups are majorly cz the majority is right handed, thats all...and hence the customized designs..

Why dont you revolutionise some design that we all can go 'whoa'..??

--xh-- said...

left hand users alwys fascinates me :-D I am amphi dextrous - can use both hands, but at time,s i have found out that my left hand is moe precise and pack more power...

KP said...

well bro u can call ur self true southpaw....:). I am confused southpaw...hehehe....I do everyhting with lefty except....writing with right hand...:(. That would make me confused southpaw......lol

Swathi Bellavi said...

Hey i am left handed too...but can also use my right one...i can completely relate to u...But you just gave me a totally different view on it... :)

Cosmic Joy said...

For most of your material left-handed needs, you may want to check out this site.

I dont think the world discriminates against lefties .. please don't feel left out :)

Gunjan Aylawadi said...

boy....i neva thought being a lefty cud b all dat problematic...
i always jus thought dat lefties are lucky ppl...amitabh bachan fo one...sachin fo two...:P :)

Neetal said...

Awwee! Don't worry .. I've heard that left wings people are smarter than the right wings one...

Also... the good news for you is that it sort of makes you ambidextrous !

... But one thing I never knew that knives can have right side... how can knives be right handed ? Don't get the concept :(

Solitaire said...

Hey one of my friends told me that he finds more gujjus to be left- handed than any other caste. I don't know to what extent it is true. Do you?

... said...

My ex is a leftie. Most of my crushes are lefties. I guess I have a thing for lefties.

I guess I'm just being silly.
Loved this post. :)

gypsy said...

WOW...

Well Researched!!!

Anonymous said...

I guess I always thought that lefties were cool and more intelligent :)

when I fractured my right arm, I tried to use my left! ahh well! nothing happened :(

Lefties zindabad! :)

Yah Left ;)

I will rememebr to use that way ok?!@

Have a nice weekend!

ceedy said...

@ everyone

Damn!!! I did not expect the tone of this post to be whiny - was more trying to be introspective - as to how little things in life can be worrisome...fikar not - I love being a lefty......


@prats

thanks for the cool comment....yeah I guess if you keep saying Ahh Left - one will feel like in military...

@anjuli

Oh....I love being a lefty - has lots and lots of advantages. thanks

@cinderella
Yeah maybe its time to design and can have a niche market....

ceedy said...

@-xh-
cool, when you can use both your hands...but what hand do you eat with and write with I guess determines...left or right

@kp
are you abCd also?...thats a lot of confusion

@swathi
Cool, and hope it helps

ceedy said...

@cosmicjoy

Thank you for the link...will look at it.
Nah I am never LEFT out....

@gunj

Oh being lefty is fun....but Sachin is not lefty as far as I can remember....


@neeku
Thanks...

well for a knife - speciality knives have serations on one side and flat edge on the other
besides this good professional knines also have in built grooves in the handle for proper grip - this is very important specially when cutting thin slices for sushi....
thus the difference

Deepali said...

Even shaking hands must have been funny at time like the taking of prasad.

I remember so many friends in school wanting to change their seating in exams cause they were left handed and would have a problem with the right handed person on their left.

Apparently if you force a naturally left handed child to start using their right hand (so they grow up right handed), it can lead to retardation. I wish more parents knew that.

PS - at work my mouse is left handed. Use to get massive shoulder pain in my right shoulder some 2 years ago so switched the mouse to the left and thought it would make sense to use it in the right left manner. So the 'left click' happens with the index finger of the left hand. It is hilarioussss to watch people struggle with my machine :)

Anonymous said...

Ceedy!!

Yeah I guess, I didn't think you were whining, but seriously didn't ever think there were SO many things that were custom made for us! :))

Btw, You neva replied to my fake comment! I need your view s..you know that right?

Anonymous said...

Ohh I guess I forgot one more thing :(

That Piano music up here is just WONDERFUL!

DO you have mp3 of it? I wanted to download it! thanks!

if you know any site i can dwnload it from, that wud be great!

thanks!

Pri said...

awwww that was sucha a cute post, really...:D

Anonymous said...

u know ST is also left handed. who ST ? the GOD....

Sameera Ansari said...

Oh left!As far as I know,all my left-handed friends are very brainy and shrewd :)

Pavi!!!! said...

ohhh.. i dint know there were so many problems for a left-handed person!.

Tho i've heard that some parents/elders force thier children to use their right hand. n that is an absolutely ridiculous thing to do! Did u face that problem as a child?

ceedy said...

@pri

thanks

@ashu

thanks for the info - did not know that - he only writes with the left hand...but thats cool

ceedy said...

@sameera

I am both :P...so its not wrong ... LOL

@pavi

Yes faced it big time - in the lower kindergarten - we were taught that circle for "b" is inside out and "d" is outside in...at school I was ok - at home grand mom would hit me on the knuckles and I wrote everything reverse....next day teacher would hit me as all the homework was wrong - bad became dab etc etc....

so finally I rebelled (thats what my mom tells me - I was rebellious at the age of 2-1/2 and I said I am not going to school anymore) - then mom had to come to school, watch me secretly...and then they realized the problem....and then the teacher blasted them...as you rightly said could have made a psycological problem..(but me thinks that incidence has already made me crazy)

ceedy said...

@deepali

Yeah there are many instances...where it feels weird..

people look at me as if I am snobbish as I alwys sit in the corner.....also have a major issues in flights.....but wat to do

Satish Bolla said...

well, started feeling sorry for all the lefties in the the world after reading this post. in fact, i even felt bad for the left parties of india. but, how the hell did u manage so many examples? shows how fed up u are.....
but this line "Ever realize when people say "Yeah Right" "Ahh Right" "All Right" - how do we lefties feel." was just awesome.

Keshi said...

All left then. :) You're so left abt being left.

LOL!

Keshi.

Mel Avila Alarilla said...

Lefties have as much rights as right handed persons. There are also a distinct advantage for lefties in boxing. Remember, it is so hard to adjust to a leftie opponent. That's why there are so many leftie champions. One of the more notable lefty boxer is Manny Pacquiao. He throws a wallop with his left hand that is hard to counter by a right hander. Being leftie is no big disadvantage as far as I am concerned. My eldest son is one and he never had any problem with anything. Thanks for the post. God bless you and your loved ones always.

ceedy said...

@satish

hehe
it was just a fun post....read my comment addressed to everyone above....

I enjoy being left - looks cool feels cool....

thanks for your comments

@keshi

LOL....liked it

@mel

Read the comment for everyone above - it was not supposed to be a whiny post - just turned out that way........but thanks for your input

Anonymous said...

Well you could become a very good left handed batsman/bowler if you're into sports..talking about music instruments you could become a left handed guitar/bass player & believe you me there are few of the world famous guitar players who are left handers..i hope this cheers you up & yeah goodluck for making the "Lefties Unions" lol=D

p.s. i still haven't gotten the mail ceedy!

ceedy said...

@an illusion

I did not mean this post to be whiny....see my comment for everyone above - I love being lefty....it has many advantages....

I sent you two email - lemme know

Mez said...

U know what, i bet you know...Lefties are considered to be more lucky.

I neva knew this side of teh story of lefties. Those are quite a few things. But am sure u guys can manage better than us. Thnks for enlightening!

Mez said...

Btw satish bolla has left a dedication for u. Dekh lena.

Anonymous said...

i never said that you're complaining or lets say whining about being lefty..i was telling ya that even lefties could become musicians & cricketers as well:P *interested in playing bass/guitar?*
hehe;)
anyhoo thanks for the mail..would reply to it very soon..ciao:|

KP said...

its secret.....:). If i tell you i have to kill you....:).

ceedy said...

@mez

Was I complainin!!!!! - ah its cool to be a lefty

ceedy said...

@an illusion

common dude - its just a post....I love being lefty...and yeah get me your input on the pics - so can click some better ones...thanks

ceedy said...

@kp

hmmmmm - now should I run my mind as to how you came into existence - or even then you will have to kill me :)

Mez said...

And my mom told me lefties have some or the other talent….i guess they creative! Explains u being an architect.

ceedy said...

@mez

your mom is absolutly LEFT....:)

Jaspreet Aiden said...

well i am amphidextrous too.....but i ve had a rocking time being one.......coz i can actually do everything with both hands(except writing).....i can actually play badmintion with both hands(i used to serve with one hand and reply with the other it was dam hard for my opponents to figure out wat was happening)...i guess thts y i reached the state level....lolzzz,in cricket i m a right handed batsmen and a left handed bowler.....i play table tennis with both my hands.....martial art i m good with both hands and legs(reached state level in martial arts as well)....and since i can eat with both hands too i dont have to sit in the corners.....but it gets confusing some times like when i play pool i can never remember which hand is supposed to hold the far side and which hand near side.....and yes my family did try making me write with my right hand they used to tie it to the window so tht i start using my right i guess it helped in a positive way i learned every thing with both hands......and i consider myself dam lucky to be an amphidextrous.
and yes nice blog.tc.god bless.