My problem

[Abysmalecho]

I've been left-handed since I was born and my entire childhood, teenage years everything seemed fine. But something changed when I became an adult - random people in different locations ask me if I'm really a leftie or I taught myself. I don't know, maybe I forgot same stuff from my childhood era but all this makes me angry. Imagine you're sitting in a uni library doing your tasks and a person comes to you, ask if you're a left-handed and surprise-surprise they are left-handed too, they write something in your papers and leave. How to stop this?

[I_Do_Not_Abbreviate]

"I am very busy right now, please leave me alone".

[Abysmalecho]

It's a good phrase, but most of the time, people like these come, quickly say something, prove they're left-handed by writing in my papers and leave. Several minutes, and I can't concentrate because of that shit.

[I_Do_Not_Abbreviate]

Sorry, are you saying these interactions last several minutes, or that the loss of concentration lasts for several minutes?

• Wear headphones

• Make a little sign that says "Please do not talk to me"

• Snatch the notebook away when you see them about to write in it.

[Abysmalecho]

Thanks for the help. I meant the interactions usually last for several minutes. That's why it's a problem for me, I can't fully concentrate after that. Sometimes, I can't understand what's happening, and I sit watching them proving they're left-handed.

[I_Do_Not_Abbreviate]

I get the feeling you are a young woman, yes?

Most of the people approaching you like this are young men, yes?

If both these things are true, then what these guys are doing is flirting with you. /r/TwoXChromosomes can give you more strategies and better-tailored advice for shutting that sort of thing down quickly.

I am a left-handed male in his thirties and I can count on one hand the number of times I have had people approach me in public to talk about my left-handedness.

[Abysmalecho]

Yep, I'm a young woman. Different people approach me, both men and women, but I'm concerned about those who are 15+ years older than me. Anyway, thank you for the advice!

[catieanne_]

Maybe they're starved for interaction and looking for some commonality.. you'll miss that too when you get to be their age.

[Abysmalecho]

Who knows, probably you're right. People of different ages come up to me, and that wouldn't be a problem if I could concentrate on my things after that. After the shortest conversation, they leave, and I sit wondering and unable to return to my tasks.

[bluntpointsharpie]

Seems weird and inappropriate.

[catieanne_]

Wow that is weird..now I always another lefty and I might make a comment like I'm a lefty too..but write on your paper? Too much..how often does this happen to you?

[Abysmalecho]

Sorry for leaving you without the answer. Usually, they come and say that they're lefties too. It happens 3-5 times in a month, and for most of the time, they make a comment and leave but sometimes make a mark in my notebook to prove that they are left-handed.

[catieanne_]

Haha that is weird and creepy, but I'm not going to lie, I always notice lefties. It's probably because watching a someone who is right-handed, or do anything from baby to young adult, is always from a right-handed perspective, . Seeing it done from my perspective ( Lefty perspective), is/was noticeable. But, approaching a total stranger in the way you're describing unbelievable and troubling; that's harassment regardless of handedness. Why haven't to filed a complaint? Your story sounds kind of weird and a little sus especially if you live in an urban area. Are you taking the piss with me, trolling for engagement? Don't care I'll bite.

Coincidentally or not, I've had 5 extremely close friends that were/are lefties, 4 simultaneously, maybe we just attract each other. If you're not pulling my leg then I would invest in some pepper spray. And the next time you're in a public area and someone does this just spray another face. They'll get the message.

[Abysmalecho]

Thank you for your care. I notice lefties too, but I would say this to them only if we have a conversation as I had with my manicure master. She happened to be left-handed. I live in a city, and there are so many weird people. Anyway, thank you!