This International Left-Handers day, let's bust some myths!

Lefties are evil

Really now. Seriously? That's like saying a mole makes you a witch! Going back in history, Lefties in many parts of the world were associated with all things sinister. People used to actually their child's left hand if s/he displayed tendencies of favouring that hand, so the child could get used to practicing with the right hand. Even now, in some countries, children who are left-handed are spanked and chastised. No, being left-handed is NOT a punishment from God. No, Lefties are NOT evil. No, Lefties don' have magical powers either. Lefties are as normal, mortal and sane as all the right-handed people of the world. Deal with it.

Lefties are born leaders

Though people will argue that six former US presidents have been left-handed, the fact is that there's no scientific evidence to prove that which hand you favour has anything to do with an individual's leadership skills.

According to a Readers Digest report, Elizabeh Ochoa, a chief psychologist once said that some of the basis for observations between leadership and handedness comes from looking at historical figures. The extrapolation is that there must be something common between these individuals who are elected and are successful, one being whether they are left-handed or right-handed. This would imply that those who are ambidextrous should either rule the word or just never ever be a success at anything! No mate, this one doesn't quite cut it.

Lefties are more intelligent!

Really? That's been a claim since a very long time... However, many studies and surveys have proved this to be a false one. According to a survey report, in which more than 7,000 grade school children were examined, it was found that there was no difference in the intellectual ability of left-handers and right-handers. Lefties may, however, think differently. As differently as you may think from your neighbours. Without getting their hand preference into it!

Eating with your left hand is unholy

This one takes the entire bakery. Probably spread by some vague form of fanaticism, this one attacks habits and perceived notions of what is holy and clean and what isn't. People, we make norms and then follow them, so it is so-not-fair to shun a person just because s/he eats with his/her left hand. Just like it is not fair to isolate someone for vegetarianism or non-vegetarianism. But that of course is a rant for another time.

Left-handed people really don't have it THAT tough

Right. And pigs can fly. Lefties become butter-fingered while using tools because, people, things like scissors are NOT designed for left-handed beings. As most people are right-handed, manufactures conveniently forget that it is the opposite thumb for Lefties. Ditto for school, college desks. You there, right-handed soul, just try living a Lefty's one day, using all the stuff that s/he has to. You'll probably be covered in bruises.

Yes, we go through that DAILY. Plus, we also face wage disparity. Oh yes we do. A research conducted by Harvard, highlighted that Lefties earn a salary that is 9 to 19% lower than that of right-handed people, as they score lower in cognitive tests. So yes, not only do right-handed people get to wield a pair of scissors, they also have enough money to buy a better one.

Lefties are not that good in sports

Really now. The fact of the matter is that Lefties have a distinct advantage in various sports. For instance, tennis or boxing. The reason is that due to the fact that athletes are more like to face off against right-handed opponents, it may be difficult to predict and react to the moves of a Lefty. Keep guessing now, the right-handed ones!