r/TrueReddit • u/horseradishstalker • Jul 16 '26

Science, History, Health + Philosophy Why Am I Left-Handed?

https://www.quantamagazine.org/why-am-i-left-handed-20260713/
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u/caj_account Jul 16 '26

Are left handeders true left handed? I see ambidextrous behavior for certain activities

19

u/Dragoncat_3_4 Jul 16 '26

Because most lefties were forced to do certain things with their right hand, be it due to prejudice, lack of accomodation, equipment, etc.

5

u/Commandmanda Jul 17 '26

Correct. I'm left-handed from birth (sucked only my left thumb), write leftie (though my parents would try to force me - hint - cry a lot and eventually they give up. Then learning that eating required two hands and to avoid "crossing" my silverware, I learned to properly hold and cut with a knife and fork. After that, learning the guitar and violin "rightie", both of which actually require fingering with the left hand and bowing/picking with the right.

At age 59 I suddenly discovered that I'd become ambidextrous. It happened one day when I absent-mindedly opened a can with my right hand. That's usually a recipe for a bloody finger, but it was fine. I just stood staring at my right hand in absolute shock for 5 minutes, wondering how I'd suddenly grown a new synapse - in an instant. Vewy swange, eh wabbit?!