In many parts of the world, the left hand is considered unclean, usually because it's used for "ablutions". xii. Targum Jonathan, however, translates "iṭṭer yad yemin" (left-handed) as "open-handed," that is, ambidextrous, as it is evident that the Benjamites were armed with bows and could use both the right hand and the left hand in shooting arrows from a bow (I Chron. If you're left-handed and visiting places like India, Nepal and the Middle East, you may have to . Writing with the left hand is not a problem, despite some things that I have seen here, and of course, if one has had a stroke and ca. Answer: Not for everything, but if one has the use of both hands, using the left is reserved for wiping and cleaning the private parts and for contact with filth. Indian Etiquette Don'ts: 12 Things Not to Do in India Better Dead Than Left -- Left-Handed That Is Online Trivia ... In Indonesia, it is rude and offensive to hand someone something with your left hand, especially food or drink, or to shake hands with your left hand. In Buddhist culture the head is the highest part of the body and thought of as sacred. Food eatin' hand - right. Left-Handers Once Experienced Severe Stigmatization And ... Only touch food with the right hand. If you are eating from a communal tagine, eat with your right hand only. My MIL was a lefty but when she was growing up the would smack her had with a ruler if she tried to use her left. Although this was sensibly done in the past for reasons of sanitation and cleanliness, the left . Most left-handers learn early on how to adapt — and it may even improve one's skills. In Ghana, there is a general taboo on left-hand use. In Japan, it's considered rude to cross your legs in the presence of . Although Westerners are used to using both hands in everyday life, it is important to be conscious of using each hand for different activities. Contamination: The concept of saliva contaminating food is common throughout India. Re: The Left Hand by naijadiva2 ( f ): 10:42pm On Oct 27, 2007. If you're left-handed and visiting places like India, Nepal and the Middle East . These rules were imposed on all, no matter their dominant hand. In many parts of the world, the left hand is considered unclean, usually because it's used for "ablutions". Introduction61 Leviticus 11 is dealing with the subject of cleanness and uncleanness—specifically, with the subject of clean and unclean foods. The left hand would then be used for personal hygiene, specifically after urination and defecation. For this and other reasons, the left hand is considered unclean and carries a cultural stigma. If you must know why, let's just say that, historically, people living in deserts didn't have access to toilet paper, so the left hand was used . Anthropologists have stated that the percentage of right/left handedness has remained stable over human history. In a world where right-handed people are noticeably more, the bias against left-handers was quite obvious. Lest the left not symbolize all possible (and ostracized) Others, psychoanalysts soon came to see left-handedness as a sign of homosexuality and general sexual deviancy. Why is the left hand unclean? Thus, the right hand should be used for eating. why the left hand is unclean. To sum up what the scholars have said about the reasons why the right hand is preferred for things that are noble: 1-That is differing from the shaytaan, as in the case of eating and drinking. As Austrian physician and psychologist Wilhelm Stekel wrote in 1911, "The right-hand path always signifies the way to righteousness, the left-hand path the path to crime. The left hand is generally considered unclean, so receiving a gift, offering money, or using it in greeting is seen as offensive. because they think the left hand is dirty, because it is "suppose" to be the hand used to wipe ur butt after using the restroom, lol. In the early Jewish and ANE (Ancient Near East) culture, as well as today in most Arab countries, the left hand is used for all dirty things, like wiping after visiting the bathroom, and the right hand is used for eating and greeting people. The left hand is also used to gesture with when talking. To use both hands is even more respectful. In Arab culture as well as many from the east, the left hand is considered unclean. the left hand is supposed to be used for bathroom clean up. Conclusion. The left hand is considered unclean because in all Arab cultures, the left hand is used for cleaning oneself after going to the bathroom. They consider the left hand unclean, so you should never use it for anything publicly. Similarly, it is impolite to pass food or eat with the left hand. Can we imagine a body or life without the left hand? Do not make a fool of yourself and commit a major cultural faux pas by putting your left . The right hand is the appropriate hand for all transactions and especially for eating. 2 . According to Khalifa Saleh Al Haroon, founder of ILoveQatar.net, that's because the left hand is widely considered to be the . Ghana Roman culture was superstitious, and left-handedness was associated with bad things. Answer has 2 votes. Eating Food With Your Left Hand (India): In America, we tend not to pay attention to what hand somebody is using dominantly; and in the rare cases we do, finding out somebody is left handed, more uncommon than the alternative right hand, is considered a surprise and interesting fact about the person.However, in India, eating food with the left hand, which is considered "the devil's hand . Left-handed people seem to expire anywhere from a few months to a few years before righties, all other things being equal. Whether grabbing a burger in the food court at the Dubai Mall, splurging at a Michelin-starred restaurant, or enjoying something in between, you should never . Why is the left hand considered unclean? The left hand is for private duty only. Right and left play an important role in Jacob's final blessing to his grandsons, Ephraim and Manasseh (Gen. 48: 12-20), whom Joseph places at the left and right sides of Jacob, respectively (verse 13), expecting his father to place his right hand on Manasseh (the firstborn) and his left on Ephraim, and then bless them. It would be the utmost in discourtesy in some cultures, even today, to offer someone your left hand in greeting and friendship. So you don't eat with your left hand, and you don't touch other people with your left hand. But as many Thais are left handed, and there isn't as much forced right-handedness here, the dirty left isn't so repulsive as in Malay culture, for example. Before sitting down to eat, two water bowls will be placed in front of you for washing your hands before and after the meal. In many parts of the world, the left hand is considered unclean, usually because it's used for "ablutions". The name "Ben Yamin" (= "son of the right hand") is probably a euphemism. Hand-holding between two same-sex friends is a sign of affection, not a sign of a gay relationship. In Indian culture, the left hand is considered unclean because it is the hand used when going to the bathroom, for cleaning one's feet and other "dirty" activities. Shaking hands or handing over an item with one's left hand is considered an insult." A common enough sentence in many guide books and on Wikipedia. Everyone normally uses their right hand to serve themselves, scooping with the fingers or with a serving spoon. "Among Muslims, the left hand is reserved for bodily hygiene and considered unclean. In Indian culture, the left hand is considered unclean, so it is traditional to wear the ring on their right hand. African facts. 1331 replies. Either way, it is considered offensive to eat with your left hand, and in most Middle East countries tourists are strongly advised to be careful or risk offense. Therefore, you should avoid your left hand coming into contact with food or any objects that you pass to people. The left side of the street was considered dirty, as that was the sewer side. As in many cultures around the world, the feet are also seen as unclean. No wonder the old nuns were running around with their hair on fire trying to 'cure' lefties. Regular equipment and machinery were built for convenient use by . So the left hand was considered unclean. They believe the left hand is inherently weaker than the right. The left hand is considered unclean and shouldn't make direct contact with food. Answer (1 of 9): This is not just an "Arabic thing", but was a standard part of Ancient Greek and Roman hygiene rules, which became common throughout Europe. Westerners are expected to be punctual for business appointments. However, with Ethiopia becoming such a popular country to visit, many restaurants will happily provide you with a fork and knife. Left handed myths and misunderstandings. 3-It is using proper etiquette with people, so that one does not shake hands with them, take . It is a curious quirk of human nature that most of us (90%) prefer using our right hand, The Samaritans were a half Greek and half Jewish people. This is normal and socially acceptable. In many places, it is also considered polite to leave a bit of food on one's plate. Some European countries also wear rings on their right hands: Bulgaria, Austria . For example, in the operating room, things must be clean, and that has a very rigid, strict interpretation—to be as free as possible from all . In many parts of the world, the left hand is considered unclean, usually because it's used for "ablutions". Several cultures consider crossing your legs to be rude. According to wedding ring seller My Trio Rings, couples opt to wear their wedding rings on the right hand in India, where the left hand is considered unclean, and Orthodox Christians also customarily wear their wedding bands on their right hands. For instance, in India, Indonesia and Bangladesh, it is considered rude for one to use his left hand to eat because it was considered to be only suitable for unclean tasks. I fail to understand why the left hand is considered so inauspicious although it is very much an important part of our body. I think the West's bias against left-handedness is just one more example of the . That doesn't mean the left hand is dirty, it just means that in case some idiot didn't wash their hands right - and you both know that you view the left as the 'not preferred hand' , and I shake them with my right hand, then the chances of getting screwed with EColi or some shit decreases (although still possible). Why is it bad to use your left hand in Ghana? Up through the mid-twentieth century in the United State, some sociologists and psychologists . Giving, receiving, eating, and drinking with the left hand are considered to be rude by virtually all members of the community. The left hand is used when going to the toilet and therefore considered dirty. Although Westerners are used to using both hands in everyday life, it is important to be conscious of using each hand for different activities. Wash your hands before eating or serving food to an Indian. Get link. Answer: Left-handedness has a long history of being considered inferior. Makes me wonder again how many cultures view left-handedness as wrong or dirty (e.g. End quote. Personal hygiene rules in Islam requires this, as derived from hadith sources. Introduction61 Leviticus 11 is dealing with the subject of cleanness and uncleanness—specifically, with the subject of clean and unclean foods. Approval is sometimes shown with a pat on the shoulder, but American-style backslapping is considered offensive. Keep this in mind and use your right hand when giving or accepting any object. Why is it considered unclean to use your left hand by Muslims? The left hand The left hand is considered unclean and thus is not eaten with, nor is it used to give or receive items from. Understanding Arabs: the use of the Inappropriate Hand. In relation to right and left hands, the right (dexter) hand the was con. The left hand is considered unclean. Left-handed men and women have existed for more than 30,000 years [1]. The left hand is considered "unclean". As a side note, McDonald's learned this lesson the hard way. One of the deadliest problems is simply that the world isn't laid out . However, guests should not eat with their left hand, which is considered unclean. The word "clean" has a lot of different meanings today depending upon the context in which it is used. Why can't the use In Africa the left hand is associated with disrespect and bad manners in many African cultures. Therefore, when eating, or shaking someone's hand, you always used your right hand. These cultural roots are old and deep. The right hand of the gods was considered to be healing and beneficent, while their left hand was used for curses or inflicting injury.The strongly anti-left Ancient Egyptians often depicted their . The left hand is considered unclean in all Arab cultures as the left hand is used for cleaning oneself after going to the bathroom. The left hand performs tasks that are dirty and unclean. Through these practices, the left hand became known as the "unclean" hand. Point with your chin, whole hand or thumb. In many Muslim parts of the world, in parts of Africa as well as in India, the left hand is considered the dirty hand and it's considered offensive to offer that hand to anyone, even to help . If you are a left-handed person, you might want to awaken your . People who are left-handed are at greater risk of psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia, according to a 2013 Yale University study. Eating & Drinking -- In Islamic (and Arabic) cultures, the left hand is considered unclean, as this is the hand with which a person performs sanitary tasks. In Latin, right and left were referred to as dexter and sinister. [1][2] Graffiti ranges from simple written words to elaborate wall paintings, and has existed since ancient times, with examples dating back to ancient Egypt, ancient Greece, and the Roman Empire . In Arab culture, the left hand is used for toileting and is widely considered to be unclean. The word "clean" has a lot of different meanings today depending upon the context in which it is used. . Eating & drinking : Only the right hand is used for eating or passing things. For example, in the Middle East and South Africa, crossed legs often show the sole of the foot, a sign of an ill wish or a bad omen. When an Indian answers, "I will try," he or she generally means "no." This is considered a polite "no." They use their left hands only for devotional actions. Similar negative associations are also present in other religions. A significant portion of the people also considers pointing by the left hand to be rude. Who the Samaritans? First and foremost, touching a person's head is considered VERY rude is most parts of Asia. They believe the left hand should only be used for unclean things. The left hand is considered unclean. Don't Be Offended by Intrusive Questions . The feet, on the other hand, are the lowest part of the body and considered dirty. Culturally speaking, the left hand is unclean. Offence may be taken by an Indian if an Australian was to hand an item with their left hand, not intentionally being offensive as the left hand is considered equally clean to the right in Australian culture. Several religions and cultures have a problem with left-handedness. There is some evidence that all of the early great civilizations of the world - from the ancient Mesopotamians to the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans - have been strongly biased towards the right hand. Corporate Culture. In Arab countries, the left hand is considered to be "unclean", because it's the one that you wash yourself with after you use the toilet. " Do not touch anyone's head. How do u say hello in Ghana? But I have not seen any evidence that the left hand was used for cleaning oneself in the Western World before the invention of toilet paper. The left hand is considered 'unclean' since it is the hand people generally use for washing themselves. This makes being left-handed especially perilous in social situations, since waving hello or (God forbid) trying to shake another's hand with your left is akin to dick-slapping them in the face. This is certainly the reason why the left hand is considered bad in Arabic countries. For example in certain beliefs (e.g.