Right? or Left?
Which hand do you like to write with? Which hand do you use to pitch a baseball or brush your teeth?
Do you choose the same hand for all your activities? Or do you use your right hand sometimes and your left hand at other times?
Most people find it easier to use their right hands. Experts don’t know exact numbers, but they believe that about 90 percent of people are right-handed.
People who are equally skilled with both hands are called ambidextrous (am-bih-DEKstrus).
No one really knows what causes left- or right-handedness. Experts say the difference in handedness is as natural as which color eyes you have.
Lefty struggles
Because most people are right-handed, left-handers can have a hard time doing daily tasks. Many products are made for right-handed people.
Think about a school desk that has an attached seat. The arm rest is usually on the right side. Other ordinary things that must be made differently for lefthanded people include:
Today, left-handed people can usually find tools, sports equipment and musical instruments made especially for them.
Lefty advantages
On the other hand, in sports where players on different teams face each other, left-handed or left-footed athletes often have an advantage. Other players may not know how to play against someone shooting or kicking from the left.
In baseball, left-handed batters and pitchers can have an advantage because of their position on the field and because opponents don’t see as many left-handers.
The same is true for left-handed tennis players and boxers, experts say.
Handy fact-a-roonies
• The wedding ring is traditionally worn on the left hand on the ring finger, the third finger from the thumb.
• When witnesses take an oath, they raise their right hand.
• Do you know which handle to turn if you want cold water? In America, the cold water knob is usually on the right. The hot water knob is on the left.