8 Everyday Things That Were Not Designed For Left-Handed People, And Clever Hacks To Make Them Work

It's 22nd International Left-Handers' Day, and today we shine a spotlight on the ten to twelve percent of the world's population who lead with their left hand.

According to a BBC report, this small but mighty group includes world leaders like Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, along with countless athletes, artists, scientists, and innovators. Yet, history hasn't always been kind to them.

Reports suggest that left-handedness is more common in men than in women.
Photo Credit: Pexels

In the UK, left-handed children were often forced to write with their right hand - a practice still widely prevalent in some countries today. Elsewhere, cultural perceptions make life tricky. In parts of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Nepal and the Middle East, the left hand is considered unclean, and it's frowned upon to eat, pass objects, or greet someone with it.

Even language hints at an ingrained bias. In French, gauche means both “left” and “clumsy”. The English word “left” comes from the Anglo-Saxon lyft, meaning “weak”, while “right” implies correctness and moral virtue.

As if superstition weren't enough, most tools, designs and systems in modern life have been designed keeping in mind the right-handed majority, leaving the left-handed minority to adapt, improvise, and innovate.

8 Everyday Items That Were Never Meant For Left-Handers And Creative Hacks To Master Them

1. Scissors

Standard scissors are moulded for a right-hand grip, meaning the blades are aligned so you can see the cutting edge. For the left-handed, the blades obscure the cutting line, and the handle digs into the thumb.

Left-handers often master the art of pushing instead of pulling the blades, which requires different muscle movement. Some swap to ambidextrous or left-handed scissors, though in a pinch, sheer practice allows many to cut just as cleanly with “the wrong” tool.

2. Fountain Pens

Traditional fountain pens are designed for right-hand push writing. Left-handers often “push” the pen across the page, causing ink smudges, hand cramps, and blotting.

Some switch to quick-dry ink or rollerball pens. Others adopt an “overwriting” or “hooked” wrist position to avoid dragging their hand over wet ink. Modern pen makers now offer left-handed nibs angled for smoother flow - a small victory in a world of smudge.

Left-handed people often adapt well to using tools designed for right-handed users.
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3. Stringed Musical Instruments

Musical instruments like Guitars, violins, and other are almost always strung for right-handed playing - fretting with the left hand and strumming with the right.

Some left-handed musicians simply learn the standard way (Paul McCartney famously restrung his guitar), while others flip the instrument upside down or invest in specially strung left-handed versions. The real leftie flex? Being able to pick up any guitar at a party and make it work.

4. Computer Mouse

The computer mouse is traditionally placed on the right side of the keyboard. In offices or public computers, it's rarely set up for left-hand use.

Left-handers often switch the mouse to the left side and adjust button settings in the operating system. But many become ambidextrous out of necessity, able to mouse-click with either hand - a handy skill when space is tight or you're sharing a desk.

5. Car Controls

In our country, vehicles are right-hand drive, meaning the steering wheel is on the right and gear shifts are handled with the left hand. For right-handers, this is no problem; for left-handers, however, it flips their natural coordination. 

Left-handers tend to develop precision in their right hand for gear changes while keeping a firm, controlled grip on the wheel with their dominant hand. Many report that this setup gives them a stability advantage when steering. 

6. Power Tools

Drills, saws, and other hand-held tools often have safety switches, guards, and buttons placed for right-hand operation. This can make them awkward, and even unsafe, for left-handed users.

Careful repositioning, ambidextrous tools, or even simply using a strong, steady grip with the right hand are common solutions. Seasoned left-handers in construction or DIY quickly learn to adjust their body stance to keep tools under control without compromising safety.

7. Spiral-Bound Notebooks

That metal coil on the left-hand side of a spiral-bound notebook digs into the palm when writing. Pages curl uncomfortably, forcing left-handers into awkward wrist positions.

Turning the notebook upside down so the spiral is on the right, using top-bound notepads, or switching to loose sheets helps. Digital note-taking has also been a game-changer - no spirals, no smudges.

Hand dominance is influenced by a mix of genetics and environment.
Photo Credit: Pexels

8. Cameras

From DSLRs to compact models, most cameras have the shutter button placed for right-hand use, with grip shapes that favour right-handed operation.

Many left-handed photographers learn to operate the shutter with their right index finger while keeping their dominant hand on the lens for focus and stability. Smartphone photography has helped level the field, with touchscreens offering more flexible control.

From Frustration To Ingenuity

Being left-handed often means growing up in a world that wasn't built for you, but it also fosters adaptability. Left-handers develop problem-solving skills early, becoming masters of modification. They prove that while design bias exists, so does human ingenuity.

8 Ambidextrous Items Available Online For Left-Handed People

1. Maped Expert Left Handed Scissors, Stainless Steel Blades

2. Cello MADHAVI STATIONERS Butterflow Classic Roller Pen

3. Kadence Acoustic Mandolin Black

4. Lenovo Legion M300 RGB USB Gaming Mouse

5. STABILO EASYgraph - Ergonomical Graphite Pencil

6. Bosch GDC 120 Corded Electric Diamond Tile

7. alpinexi AXI Invincible Cricket Batting Gloves, Size:Men Left Hand Bat

8. Woodpecker Left Hand Thigh Guard for Cricket

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why is there an International Left-Hander's Day?

International Left-Hander's Day, celebrated on the second Wednesday of August each year, raises awareness about the challenges left-handed people face in a predominantly right-handed world. It's also a celebration of their adaptability and creativity.

2. Are left-handed products more expensive?

Yes, left-handed tools and equipment often cost more due to lower demand and smaller production runs. This “leftie tax” means many left-handers simply adapt right-handed products instead of buying specialist versions.

3. Can you train yourself to be ambidextrous?

With practice, many left-handers become proficient with their right hand, especially for tasks like using a mouse or driving. However, true ambidexterity, equal skill in both hands, is rare and requires consistent training.

4. Why were left-handers forced to write with their right hand in the past?

Historically, left-handedness was stigmatised due to superstition, religious beliefs, and practical concerns about handwriting. Schools often made children switch to their right hand, believing it was “proper” or “correct”.

5. Are there advantages to being left-handed?

Yes, studies suggest left-handers may excel in creative thinking, problem-solving, and certain sports like tennis, cricket, and fencing. Their brains are often wired for quick adaptation, a skill honed by navigating a right-handed world.