music is life
every song comes to an end but there's no reason not to enjoy the music
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Katherine.T
entries
Saturday, October 21, 2006
I felt alien-ated today.I was sitting at the bust-stop, reading my cognitive textbook with a highlighter in my left hand. An elderly man, probably in his 70s, nearing 80s, with a walking stick (or maybe it was an umbrella... I couldn't remember..) appeared across the road. He crossed the road and approached the bus-stop. He walked closer, closer... and closer towards me with a huge grin, baring his only tooth at me... Then he started speaking in some dialect, probably Hokkein or Teochew, coupled with some hand gestures. I could make out a few words and I figured that he was commenting on me using my left hand to write. He said he could only write with his right hand, not his left, or something to that extent. Apparently, he seemed rather excited though. Stumped by this sudden small talk, I could only stare helplessly at him. The elderly man sensed that I couldn't speak a word in my defense, so he smiled and walked away...I wonder what exactly was he trying to tell me. That I was abnormal? That I should start using my right hand like he does? Hmm... Whatever. But frankly speaking, this is the first time in 22 years that I felt like weird being a scrutinized as left-hander... It felt just like... "discrimination", for the sake of no better word to express my sentiments.. I can finally empathize with Visha who was stared at by a stallholder in Beijing simply because she is an Indian...Are left-handers being discriminated against? Subtly, yes. (1) Most tables in the LTs are hinged on the right so that right-handers can comfortably rest their hands on the table.(2) The MRT gantry is on the right.(3) The violin is designed such that the bow is to be held with your right-hand. I had to suffer with that for 4 freaking years...(4) Most scissors are designed for right-hand usage, that's why I ALWAYS find every pair of scissors that I've come across as blunt...(5) Handshakes on the right hand. I'm quite accustomed to that but still.. (6) Left-handers have to push their pens across the page rather than pulling, leading to bad ink flow and scratching nibs(7) Computer keypad numbers on the right! I've serious problems with that.. Dun ask me why I prefer to use the number keys on the top...(8) Cheque/receipt book stubs jutting out on the left will always be a hindrance... especially when I'm the treasurer=((9) So are writing in books with binders and ring files...(10) Left-handers are NOT allowed to play hockey and polo... What?!This list is definitely not exhaustive.. Now, how glad are you that you are not born a left-hander?
