International Left-Handers Day is Aug. 13, giving us a chance to celebrate the lefties in our lives. It’s also a reminder of the everyday challenges left-handers face in a right-handed world. Things most people barely notice require a little extra maneuvering for lefties.
About one in 10 people are left-handed, but lefties have an outsized presence in the Oval Office. Six of the 14 U.S. presidents since World War II have been left-handed. Presidential success aside, navigating a mostly right-handed world still comes with plenty of everyday challenges.
From tools to furniture, lefties often must adjust, reach across, and find their own way of doing things.
Here are a few everyday items that can be a hassle for lefties:
- Scissors — probably the most familiar struggle
- Spiral notebooks
- Credit card readers, especially before tap-to-pay became common
- Pens attached to counters at banks and other businesses
- Furniture designed for right-handed use, such as classroom desks
- Measuring cups with markings visible from only one side
- Clothing with buttons, zippers and jacket flaps designed for right-handed use
- Microwaves, vending machines and other appliances with controls on the right
- Power tools, cameras and musical instrument
Give the lefties in your life a little extra appreciation. You could even try doing a familiar task with your non-dominant hand — it might give you a whole new perspective on the everyday left-handed struggle!
