I've lived in North America, Europe and Asia, and everywhere people tell me that it's so odd that I'm left-handed, and that where they live there is (or at least was at some time) a taboo against it.
2006-11-05 21:03:57 · 7 answers · asked by T_R 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
Don't write in and blame it all on Christianity. I'm sitting in Beijing right now as I type this, and the locals bring up my left-handedness several times a day. Most people here have never even set foot inside a Christian church.
2006-11-05 21:14:00 · update #1
If you are left-handed you need to be careful when firing an automatic rifle. The hot shells that get ejected can get into your shirt, and cause some serious discomfort.
2006-11-05 21:38:45 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Left handedness is rare because most people think with the left side of their brain (which controls things like language capabilities) and this means that they write with their right hand (because the left hemisphere of the brain controls the right side of the body.)
Most places that have a taboo against people who are left-handed have had a christianity conversion, at one point of time the left hand was thought to be evil, controlled by Satan. In some cultures the left hand is used for things such as wiping your bottom or bodily cleansing, so its thought to be "dirty."
Also, if you study the Salem Witch Trials you will soon find out that all of the accused "Witches" were left handed.
2006-11-05 21:10:29 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is not as rare as people think although studies say that less than 10% of people are, it just depends on which side of the brain is more dominant- it used to be that even if a child was left handed, the adults- like parents and teachers around the child, would discourage any use of the left hand for anything that required hand dominance- guess they thought it was bad..something about the right hand of god and all that b.s.- anyways as far as taboo in other countries..mostly where water is scarce and after potty hygiene is poor, it used to be and still is in some parts, taboo to use ones left hand for anything, especially eating, touching others, greetings..that kind of stuff because the left hand is the one that is used to "wipe" with and then does not get washed after wards
2006-11-05 21:10:55 · answer #3 · answered by dances with cats 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a recessive gene, And the reason it is so rare is most of the people who were left handed were killed as per the taboo.
The reason for the taboo is mainly to do with the hand shake. i.e. warriors all grabbed each others arms as a sign they meant no harm to the other person. It immobilized each others sword hand which was the right hand.
The reason for the taboo was that left handed people still had their sword hand free while greeting with their right hand so they could still attack while shaking hands.
I know that sounds crazy in today's world!.
2006-11-05 21:13:59 · answer #4 · answered by JUAN FRAN$$$ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hey, am a leftie too, and i live in Africa....queen land of Taboos! i guess, so long as someone else does something not many people do....and they are probably jealous coz ur unique, its a taboo! But taboo or not, am having a blast being a leftie! You shopuld too!
2006-11-05 21:07:50 · answer #5 · answered by BeeJay 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
certain I hate wearing them, distinctly jeans and that's the reason I by no skill placed on them till i'm at school. once i'm getting abode i modify into my pajamas and that i will even placed on them even as i bypass out in public.
2016-10-16 07:49:00 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's not, it's not
2006-11-05 21:05:19 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋