It’s that time of year again. International Left-Handers’ Day! A day where us left-handers celebrate our superiority.
Or something like that.
There are press releases and an official website.
Some of my most popular posts on this blog are about being left-handed or the parent of a left-handed child. So, I know my lefties are out there.
Being a lefty, it’s hard to acclimate to certain situations. Sitting down to a meal with friends or cutting a piece of paper can be a challenge.
But, not today. Today, us lefties are encouraged to celebrate our left-handedness and make our right-handed friends and family members acknowledge our differences and even try to do things left-handed.
If you are not left-handed and don’t quite understand what the fuss is all about, take a look at this post about the 18 Worst Things For Left-Handed People.
Spiral notebooks suck, righties. They just suck. I might also add to this list: apple corers, right-handed wite-out and ladels.
There are some advantages to being left-handed as well. Some say we’re smarter and more creative. Others just say we’re doomed. Following are the 10 most powerful lefties in the world:
- Barack Obama – US President
- Bill Gates – founder of Microsoft
- Benjamin Netanyahu – Prime Minister of Israel
- Oprah Winfrey – TV personality and media owner
- Hugo Chavez – President of Venezuela
- Michael Bloomberg – New York Mayor
- Fidel Castro – President of Cuba (up to 2008)
- Bill Clinton – past US President
- David Cameron – UK Prime Minister
- Felipe Calderon – President of Mexico
Not too shabby.
My two favorite left-handed sites are celebrating by holding Facebook contests and raising awareness for teacher training and the needs of left-handed children. My left-handed son will only start pre-school this fall, so I haven’t addressed the teacher thing. I’m not sure it’s an issue yet, but it’s an interesting topic that I’ll be keeping my eye on.
Are you left-handed? How will you celebrate International Left-Handers’ Day?
Read more of my posts on being a lefty (and a parent to a left-handed child)
Keith says
August 13, 2012 at 8:28 amHi Jennifer. Thanks for the great piece, I have linked to you on our media coverage page for Left Handers Day.
http://www.lefthandersday.com/happening.html
Best wishes, Keith
anotherjennifer says
August 13, 2012 at 8:32 amThanks, Keith. And thanks for advocating for us lefties!
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Jenn says
August 13, 2012 at 8:42 amWish I knew it was such a big deal! I’m a lefty, and my middle child is as well. I’m glad I can teach her how to live in a right-handed world!
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anotherjennifer says
August 13, 2012 at 3:18 pmIt’s funny how I’m only now aware that there are products out there that actually make life easier for lefties. I’ve found some great resources!
anotherjennifer recently posted..Where Would We Be Without Hope?
Elizabeth Newlin says
August 13, 2012 at 11:29 amI didn’t know today was ILD!! I’m so excited I stopped by to find out! Lefties rule.
Elizabeth Newlin recently posted..Parenting: A Snapshot
anotherjennifer says
August 13, 2012 at 3:28 pmYay lefties! Thanks for stopping by. I have some other posts on being a lefty that you might like too. 🙂
anotherjennifer recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: Waiting for the Subway, NYC
jen says
August 13, 2012 at 12:15 pmMy husband is a leftie but learned how to do many things right handed because it was easier than fighting the teachers or gadgets.
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anotherjennifer says
August 13, 2012 at 3:36 pmThat’s so true for so many lefties! I’m trying to teach my son how to just be left-handed in a right-handed world, but it’s tough sometimes.
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Robert Schwalbaum says
August 13, 2012 at 3:51 pmYou people are all nuts.. just another group asking for freebies.
I’ve been 100% left-handed all my long life and I have NEVER found any difficulty in coping with life.
Except for a Marine corps rifle range where the “Gunny’ did not allow left-handed shooters.
Never qualified on the M1 rifle
anotherjennifer says
August 13, 2012 at 4:46 pmI don’t see anyone asking for freebies or having trouble coping with life here. We’re just talking about the annoyances of being left-handed in a right-handed world – like the Marines not allowing lefty shooters.
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Tania says
August 15, 2012 at 1:47 amI never thought about how hard it would be for a left handed child and think it is great that you discuss it on your blog.
I’m the only right hander in an entire family of left handers (& no I’m not adopted but my left handed sister is). That’s weird, right (no pun intended)? I remember going to a store on a family trip to the mainland that sold left handed products, including spiral notebooks and the entire family was super excited (except me of course, righty).
When my dad was growing up, they used to try to force you to be right handed in school and sports. I hope that doesn’t happen anymore, it would be very terrible for kids I would think.
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anotherjennifer says
August 15, 2012 at 8:12 amWell that’s unique. A right-handed person growing up in a left-handed household. I’m guessing that doesn’t happen often. I’m also guessing that the store you are talking about is Lefty’s San Francisco? I went there when I was on the west coast last year and loved it. I’ve also order stuff from them. My left-handed gardening shears are great!
My mom thinks she was a lefty and was forced to write right-handed when she was young. Luckily, I don’t think that happens too often anymore. It’s still hard to adapt to some things in school.
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Cognita says
August 25, 2012 at 8:35 amThe Lefties do face a lot of difficulties owing to the fact that the infrastructure from that of the schools to offices is built keeping in mind the right hand users and thus the lefties are left with no other option than to adjust. The onus here lies with the school authorities to have special tables and benches for the lefty students so that they can feel at ease and work with maximum comfort. Many international schools such as Cognita schools to name a few, have understood this responsibility and thus installed special facilities for such special students.
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Robert Schwalbaum says
August 25, 2012 at 1:02 pmThis is unbelievably pathetic.. BOO HOO!
So you’re left-handed.
i’m 100% left-handed and went right up through 4 years of college.. never a problem.
if you want to make excuses for your failures in life.. be my guest.
But don;t blame it ion being left-handed
Am I the only leflty wo feels this way?
anotherjennifer says
August 25, 2012 at 4:46 pmI’ve never heard anyone say they’re a failure because of being left-handed. Relax. The post is all in good fun.
Cognita says
August 30, 2012 at 6:20 amWell being failure or not depends more on one’s abilities than the short comings. Of-course you managed your 4 years in college quite smoothly and that doesn’t mean I emerged out as a failure, but when there is an area for infrastructural improvement, you cannot defy it or dismiss just because you don’t want to look needy.
anotherjennifer says
August 30, 2012 at 8:29 amWell said, Cognita. Simply adapting to what’s around you may work for most of us, but if there are simple ways to make things easier for a population, why would we lobby to make some changes?
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Robert Schwalbaum says
August 30, 2012 at 12:47 pm“because you don’t want to look needy”???
HUH? I have no idea what that means.
Why is there a groundswell in this nation for people to demand “special treatment’
From personal experience… there are far worse handicaps than left-handedness.. take my word for it!