How to tell if someone is left-handed, and other information on left-handedness

Is there a way to determine if someone is left-handed without asking them? Yes! Just check which wrist their watch is on. In general, left-handed people wear watches on their right wrist, and righties will wear it on the left wrist. There are a (left)handful of explanations for this:

1. It’s easier to do things with the dominant hand (write, throw, etc) without wearing a watch on that wrist
2. It’s easier to read the time on the wrist not already doing something.
3. A person would probably use their more dominant hand (more skilled, more comfortable, etc) to do the work of strapping the watch on the opposite wrist.

I know for me it’s easier to latch a watch on my right wrist, using my left hand to work the clasp, than using my right hand to latch it on my left. Oh yeah, I might as well tell you now, I’m left-handed! I know there aren’t a lot of us around. Statistics show that only 10% of the world’s population are left-handed… so you’re welcome, world, for gracing you with our presence! Just send cards and gifts to me directly, you should already know my address.

Just the other day I was playing sand volleyball and was 1 of 3 lefties on a 6-person team. It was awesome! We won every single game, even the games we lost! I love being left-handed. Partly because it draws attention, and because I feel like part of an exclusive club. Other members of the club include Prince William, Angelina Jolie, Kurt Cobain, Keanu Reeves, Terry, Nicole Kidman, Mary-Kate Olsen, Lady Gaga, Ben Stiller, Ava, Dale Earnhardt, Jr, former President Obama, Jim Carrey, Paul, and Deion Sanders, just to name a few.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – FEBRUARY 05: Deion Sanders of the NFL Network watches warmups on the field before the New England Patriots take on the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 5, 2012 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

But it’s not always glamourous. Can you imagine Ben Stiller searching for a lefty-friendly desk in school? Deion Sanders going to three different sports stores to find a baseball glove? Mary-Kate not knowing which thumb to raise when she said, “You got it, dude!”? President Obama finding a smooth-writing pen to sign all his executive orders? It’s so sad to think about.

To be hated cordially, is only a left-handed compliment.
-Herman Melville

There are a couple of dated words that represent lefties, as well. The word “southpaw” is thrown around on baseball fields, referring to left-handed players. The term is still used today, although the origination is up for some debate, as stated here. Another word, and this one might surprise you, is “sinister.” It’s incredible to me that a word now mostly associated with horror movies, evil characters, and harm had anything to do with left or left-handedness.

We can’t help it, we were born this way!

-Out of the Wilderness

*Terry- my mom, Ava- my niece, Paul- a guy who plays sand volleyball on Tuesdays.