Growing up in the Middle East (and India for a few years), being left-handed was kinda frowned upon. That wasn’t the case within my home though. My dad would constantly tease and trick me into trying to figure out which was the correct hand to write with, and whichever hand I used, he’d say, “Are you sure?” Until I got fed-up and told him to leave me and my fat little fingers alone. My mum, on the other hand, didn’t care which hand I used as long as I was comfortable. She was busy telling my dad to quit bugging me while I played in my own world.
But whenever I went outdoors and had to use my left hand prominently to do something, I was always asked (with a strange expression), “Are you left handed?”
I remember one instance in particular – I was in Grade 7 and hanging out with a bunch of friends at someone’s house. Soon, some finger food was served and as I swooped in to get my share, the 4-5 friends standing around me all turned and stared at me, almost alarmed. Then they burst out laughing at me, saying, “Ewwww! Which hand are you eating with, Sandra?”
Did I mention kids are mean?
It was at that point that I made a decision to always, always use some cutlery no matter what I eat (of course, 17 years later I don’t care, and eat finger food with my fingers…like a normal person.)
But it seemed like my first world (or in this case third world?) troubles were not over yet. Forget which hand to hold the fork in (don’t even get me started on that!), but while I blissfully ate away, I found myself constantly bumping elbows with my siblings sitting beside me. Goddammit!
It’s bad enough that the world we live in is not designed for lefties. But now I can’t even enjoy my favourite piece of meat in peace?! (This is what happens when I get mad. I rhyme. Yes, I’m a badass like that.)
Anyway, after years of bumping n’ biting; and eventually getting pinched by my siblings for being annoying on the dining table (and otherwise), I have finally learned to deal with it.
No, I have not converted to eating with my right hand. I am a woman of principle.
Instead, I make sure I am first to take a seat at the table. That way I choose the corner seat!
Of course, every time I go back home it’s like I’ve travelled back in time, since with five siblings, the table is always over crowded.
Sometimes, you just can’t win.
Until next time, my lovelies.
Stay crunchy,
-S
Being left-handed in a right-handed world 