Can you use either hand for tasks?
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325851)
Rockingham, Australia
March 6, 2024 2:06am CST
The photo has nothing to do with the discussion. It's a strelitzia flower; also known as Bird of Paradise.
My last post was about touch-typing. I didn’t learn to type until I was in my late 30s, at which point I went to a technical college and learnt typing, book-keeping, etc.
The class was made up mostly of teenagers. Some found typing hard as their little (fifth) fingers had very little strength. Because I’d played piano for years, all my fingers were quite strong and I had no trouble using my eight fingers (and my two thumbs).
Which led me to thinking how it’s a good idea to try to have some sort of control over both hands so if something happens to your ‘natural’ hand, you can still cope with the other. Some people are ampidextrous and can use either hand or use their right hand for some tasks and their left hand for others.
I often try to do things with my left hand just in case I ever damage my right hand.
20 people like this
22 responses
@LadyDuck (458388)
• Switzerland
6 Mar
The gardens in Monte Carlo were full of strelitzia bushes.
I found hard in the beginning to use my little finger to type. I was 15 when I took my first typing lessons, no problems using my two thumbs.
I can even write using my left hand, I had to learn when I broke my elbow at 6 years old. I needed surgery followed by rehab and I could not use my right hand and arm during 18 months.
5 people like this
@LadyDuck (458388)
• Switzerland
7 Mar
@JudyEv I had my first cast applied at the mountain hospital where I broke the elbow. They made a mistake, my bones were "cutting" my nerves and tendons. In Milan the surgeon had to open my arm (I have a very long scar) and "adjust" what was almost 100% useless.
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (95290)
• Marion, Ohio
6 Mar
I can manage most things with my right hand. Just not as good as with my left. But using scissors has to be my right hand for some reason. I am left handed
3 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (95290)
• Marion, Ohio
7 Mar
@Fleura I have tried those and didn't do very good
2 people like this
@FourWalls (62199)
• United States
6 Mar
I can do many things with either hand, but to eat or write legibly I must use my left hand. Oddly enough, to throw accurately I have to use my right hand!
3 people like this
@just4him (306514)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
6 Mar
I can do most things with my left hand, even write, but it looks like a child just learning to write. The hardest thing for me to accomplish and the first time I used my left hand for anything was ironing. I didn't want to change sides of the ironing board, so I learned to use my left hand to iron. Now it's automatic if I iron. Which I don't do anymore unless I need to.
I also played the piano, so my pinky finger was always strong when typing.
It's good to use both hands for any task.
3 people like this
@Happy2BeMe (99399)
• Canada
6 Mar
I took typing all through high school and business collrge. I try using my left hand once in awhile but I am not very good at it.
3 people like this
@mildredtabitha (16053)
• Nairobi, Kenya
6 Mar
I was taught typing in 2014 but I forgot how to use the eight fingers on the keyboard. I use two fingers and I type while looking the keyboard.
3 people like this
@mildredtabitha (16053)
• Nairobi, Kenya
7 Mar
@JudyEv That is a tough way to learn. I can't imagine not seeing my fingers. But yes I'm a little fast.
2 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (45506)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
6 Mar
I like to think that I'm ambidextrous, but after fracturing my left wrist a few years back, not so much anymore.
3 people like this
@snowy22315 (170046)
• United States
6 Mar
I can't do much with my left hand, although someone once told me I was a left handed batter, which I wasn't aware of. My son is left handed.
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (170046)
• United States
7 Mar
@JudyEv Yes, my dad was born as a leftie and switched to right. That must be so confusing for a young child
3 people like this
@JudyEv (325851)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Mar
We have a left-handed son. When he first started school, no-one was sure what he was. We had to take note for a week or two about which hand he used most. It was the left so then he was encouraged to be left-handed. A different approach to when I went to school.
2 people like this
@yanzalong (18984)
• Indonesia
6 Mar
I cannot do things with my left hand. What should I do to be able to use it?
2 people like this
@JudyEv (325851)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Mar
It's not a big deal but if you want to, you just start trying to do with your left hand. Open doors, cut up your food, use scissors/hammer, etc. I think it would be handy if you happened to hurt your right hand but I'm sure you'd manage..
2 people like this
@RebeccasFarm (86773)
• United States
6 Mar
Oh no Judy not very well. I mean I am mainly right handed.
Only when I am bare knuckle boxing can I use both.
2 people like this
@Juliaacv (48508)
• Canada
6 Mar
I type with both hands.
I should try to use my left hand to use the number keys as I am quite good at using my right hand for that.
I took piano lessons also and my fingers all had good strength, I never realized that may have been the reason for it.
3 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (79784)
• United States
6 Mar
I'm right-handed and can use my left hand for some things. I'm definitely not ambidextrous and would probably have a difficult time if I had to rely on my left hand for most things.
3 people like this
@LindaOHio (156392)
• United States
6 Mar
I find it difficult to use my left side. My left shoulder is much worse than my right, so doing things right-handed hurts less. Have a good day.
3 people like this
@Beestring (13328)
• Hong Kong
6 Mar
That's a beautiful flower. Haven't seen one before.
I use my right hand most often. Just use the left hand occasionally. I agree that I should use my left hand more often just in case my right hand is damaged.
3 people like this
@changjiangzhibin89 (16537)
• China
12 Mar
Playing the piano did give you a head start to type ! I input letters with two hands,but can't touch-type.
1 person likes this
@Orson_Kart (6114)
• United Kingdom
7 Mar
I can’t write legibly with my left hand, but can do most other things, even throw. I can wave, pick my, ermm, moments, high five, tiddle my winks, butter bread. My end is listless. 
1 person likes this
@Orson_Kart (6114)
• United Kingdom
8 Mar
@JudyEv G’day Judy! Yeah, it’s a good un.
1 person likes this
@Fleura (29126)
• United Kingdom
6 Mar
I'm quite right-sided. Like you I have tried using my 'other' hand more and I can just about write legibly, although slowly. But other things like brushing my hair I find really hard with my left hand, and using a knife in the kitchen would be a real problem.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (325851)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Mar
I wouldn't like to trust myself with a knife but Vince cuts bread, meat, etc with his left although he is right-handed. He also uses his left hand for delicate tasks. I think he probably should have been left-handed but it was a bit frowned upon in his day. We had to atch our son carefully for a week or two when he first went to school and, as he seemed to favour his left hand, he was then encouraged to use it for writing, etc. He plays string instruments right-handed.
2 people like this
@dgobucks226 (34383)
•
10 Mar
My dad was ambidextrous. Wish I had gotten that ability from him. Anyway, I do try to do things left-handed sometimes, but it does take practice as it does not come easy.
Good thing we have any extra hand just in case...
1 person likes this
