1. Japan
In Japan, being left-handed used to be seen as a major social faux pas. Children were often scolded or retrained to use their right hands for everything from writing to eating. For girls especially, being left-handed was once considered a flaw that could make them undesirable marriage prospects. Some families would even go as far as to force kids to sit on their left hand during meals to keep them from using it says TheCollector.
Older generations might still hold onto the belief that the right hand is the “correct” one, tied to order and respect. While Japan is much more accepting now, remnants of that old thinking can still be found in the way schools handle handwriting. The cultural preference for uniformity made it tough to be different in any way, including which hand you used. Thankfully, attitudes have softened, and now you’ll even find some popular left-handed celebrities embracing their difference adds the Conversation.
2. Italy
Italy’s deep Catholic roots played a big role in its old bias against left-handedness. The left hand was linked with the devil, sin, and even black magic in older religious texts and traditions. Left-handed children were sometimes made to write with their right hand only, often using physical punishment to reinforce it. In some cases, teachers tied a child’s left hand behind their back to “fix” them shares Psychology Today.
The phrase “mancino,” meaning left-handed, still carries a bit of a negative edge in the language. It can be used to describe someone as sneaky or underhanded. For centuries, being left-handed in Italy wasn’t just inconvenient—it was considered suspicious. These days, most Italians wouldn’t bat an eye, but the historical baggage still lingers in older expressions and attitudes says Time Magazine.
3. India
In many parts of India, the left hand is considered unclean, primarily due to its association with hygiene practices. This belief seeps into everyday life, especially when it comes to eating or passing objects—always with the right hand, if possible. Left-handed kids were often taught to switch hands as early as preschool, and the pressure often came from both family and teachers.
Even now, being left-handed can raise eyebrows in more traditional households. Using your left hand to eat or touch sacred items like prayer offerings is still frowned upon in some communities. That said, modern India is full of left-handed artists, cricketers, and musicians who are changing the narrative. But if you’re visiting someone’s home in a rural area, it’s still safer to lead with your right.
4. Russia
Russia wasn’t just mildly opposed to left-handedness—it actively tried to stamp it out. For decades during the Soviet era, schools had strict rules about handwriting and classroom behavior, and using your left hand was simply not acceptable. Teachers would force left-handed students to switch, often without explanation, as if it were a defect that needed fixing.
Some even considered it a sign of rebellion or nonconformity, which didn’t sit well in a society that valued unity and order. This kind of social pressure created a whole generation of people who learned to write with their non-dominant hand. Although modern Russia is more relaxed, the older stigma hasn’t completely disappeared. Many older folks still see left-handedness as a quirky, maybe even undesirable, trait.
5. United Kingdom
It might be hard to believe, but the UK had a long history of treating left-handers poorly, especially in its schools. In the Victorian era, being left-handed was practically treated as a moral failing. Teachers would go out of their way to correct left-handed children, sometimes using corporal punishment or writing slates to force right-hand writing.
Even the word “sinister” comes from the Latin for “left,” and that association stuck around for generations. Left-handedness was linked to clumsiness, awkwardness, and even bad luck. It wasn’t until the 20th century that the UK began to rethink these attitudes. Nowadays, it’s much more accepting, but older generations still remember the days when being a lefty meant getting your knuckles rapped.
6. China
Traditional Chinese culture often emphasized symmetry and harmony, which left little room for something as “off” as left-handedness. The left hand was historically seen as weaker or incorrect, especially when it came to tasks like calligraphy or martial arts. Left-handed students were commonly trained to write with their right hand from a young age, often with little say in the matter.
In fact, many left-handed Chinese people today don’t even realize they’re naturally left-handed—they were simply corrected so early that it never registered. The school system has long been designed for right-handed people, making it inconvenient to go against the grain. While things are slowly changing in big cities, older customs still have a strong hold in rural areas. That means many people still find it odd or even improper to use your left hand in public settings.
7. France
France may seem like a bastion of forward thinking now, but in the past, being left-handed was seen as a serious drawback. In schools, children were often forced to use their right hand for writing, regardless of comfort or skill. Teachers believed left-handedness was a habit to be corrected, not a natural trait to accept.
This rigid thinking led to a lot of frustration and shame for left-handed students. Even the French language once carried negative connotations—“gauche” means both “left” and “awkward” or “clumsy.” Though modern France is far more accepting, the older cultural attitudes haven’t completely faded. Many older people still remember being forced to switch, with long-lasting effects on their confidence and handwriting.
8. Germany
Germany’s rigid school systems once made life pretty difficult for left-handed children. In the 19th and 20th centuries, many teachers saw being left-handed as a flaw that needed to be fixed. It was common practice to tie a student’s left hand or sharply reprimand them for using it, especially when learning to write.
Psychologists even weighed in, wrongly linking left-handedness with developmental issues or mental illness. These outdated ideas stuck around for decades. It wasn’t until the 1970s that Germany began to officially move away from forced switching. Today, there’s growing awareness and even special left-handed writing tools—but it took a long time to get here.
9. South Korea
In South Korea, left-handedness was once viewed with suspicion and even embarrassment. The cultural preference for conformity meant that being different—especially in such a visible way—was discouraged. Left-handed children were often gently, or not-so-gently, urged to switch to their right hand early on.
In schools and at home, kids would be told that using their left hand looked strange or impolite, especially when eating. Because of this, many South Koreans grew up thinking there was something wrong with being a lefty. While pop culture and international influence have helped shift opinions, the older generation often still associates left-handedness with bad manners. It’s a slow but ongoing cultural shift.
10. Nigeria
In many parts of Nigeria, the left hand carries strong cultural taboos. It’s traditionally considered improper to eat, shake hands, or give gifts with the left hand. Using your left hand in public—especially during important ceremonies—can be taken as a serious insult.
This belief led to left-handed children being actively corrected in school and at home. Parents and teachers saw it as their duty to teach children the “proper” way to behave. While urban areas are becoming more relaxed about it, many rural regions still hold tightly to these norms. Left-handed Nigerians often find themselves having to explain or adapt in order to avoid misunderstandings.
11. Brazil
In Brazil, the old Catholic influence led to some outdated beliefs about the left side of the body. For years, the left hand was associated with bad luck and even demonic forces. Left-handed children were often shamed or corrected by teachers and parents, especially in smaller towns and religious schools.
These attitudes trickled into common expressions—calling someone “left” could mean they were unlucky or deceitful. Though these ideas have mostly faded in modern Brazil, they still pop up in traditional households. Many older Brazilians remember being forced to use their right hand for everything, from eating to writing. The country has come a long way, but traces of that old bias haven’t fully disappeared.
12. Egypt
In Egypt, cultural and religious customs once made left-handedness a particularly tough trait to live with. The left hand is traditionally considered impure, especially when eating or handling holy objects. Children who used their left hand were often corrected early and consistently, usually with firm guidance from parents or teachers.
Using your left hand to greet someone or pass food could be seen as extremely rude, especially among elders. While urban areas like Cairo are more open-minded today, traditional values remain strong in many parts of the country. Left-handed Egyptians often grow up learning to switch hands for certain activities just to fit in. The pressure to conform still exists, though it’s slowly easing with younger generations.