3-It is using proper etiquette with people, so that one does not shake hands with them, take things from them or give things to them with the hand with which one removes impurities. “If you’ve got an iPhone, you’re likely to get better reception … Create a commenting name to join the debate, There are no Independent Premium comments yet - be the first to add your thoughts, There are no comments yet - be the first to add your thoughts. Think twice before you stick your palm up to hail a cab in Singapore (as well as in China and South Korea). We all have two hands. Therefore, when eating, or shaking someone's hand, you always used your right hand. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. When Michael Salazar wrote that his “fourth grade teacher would force me to use my right hand to perform all of my school work” and that “if she caught me using my left hand, I was hit in the head with a dictionary,” he described more than just an encounter with a violent instructor; he illustrated the physical consequences of centuries of religious, scientific, and social thought. They consider the left hand unclean, so you should never use it for anything publicly. xii. In the 19th century, for instance, French sociologist Robert Hertz noted that in his travels to southern Africa, Zulu tribes would pour boiling water into a hole and then place a child’s left hand into it, scalding the hand and preventing its use. It’s not so much that you’ll offend a Russian by smiling at them, but don’t be offended when they don’t smile back. Similar norms — right, good; left, bad — appear in Jewish writings. 2 comments. The ancient Celts, for instance, associated the left with femininity — the source of all life — and thus worshipped the left side, treating it as sacred. It’s not just in the Middle East that snogging, groping or even holding hands in public with your beloved is frowned upon – countries as varied as Haiti and Thailand disapprove too. 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. I am an Indian, left - handed... and eat with my left hand. To use both hands is even more respectful. Walk around them, not between them – even if that means dipping onto the street itself. Shaking hands or handing over an item with one's left hand is considered an insult." Why do Muslims consider the left hand to be unclean? 18 Joseph said … 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 … Creation myths of the time dictated that males were conceived when the father’s “seed” came from the right testicle, and that a female child would be born should the seed come from the left. The word “clean” has a lot of different meanings today depending upon the context in which it is used. 3). In the Middle East, the left hand is considered unclean, and using it is generally unacceptable. Such darkness wasn’t always attached to that side, however. Ever tried the Arab way? They consider the left hand unclean, so you should never use it for anything publicly. 2-It is honouring the right hand over the left. It’s a criminal offence to disrespect the monarchy, and standing on the king’s face is a sure way to do that. However, guests should not eat with their left hand, which is considered unclean. 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. It is NOT a myth that left-handers have trouble with all sorts of everyday articles and tools. In an electronics plant where silicon crystals are grown, the clean room is incredibly clean. Thus, the right hand should be used for eating. Budget Travel in India – One Month Breakdown; It's good manners to take your shoes off before entering someone's … Is this all superstition, or just hygiene-related? As an example, in France it was held that witches greet Satan “avec le bras gauche” or with the left hand. Please continue to respect all commenters and create constructive debates. However, with Ethiopia becoming such a popular country to visit, many restaurants will happily provide you with a fork and knife. It is also considered that we can only see ghosts if we … Do what comes naturally and get in the back of a taxi in Sydney? However, guests should not eat with their left hand, which is considered unclean. 4-It is a sign of hope that Allaah will make us among those who are on the right hand … Why is the left hand seen as unclean in Eastern societies? Do you know why the left hand is considered unclean in the Arab world? The left hand is considered unclean. The ancient Celts, for instance, associated the left with femininity — the source of all life — and thus worshipped the left side, treating it as sacred. Everyone normally uses their right hand to serve themselves, scooping with the fingers or with a serving spoon. However, when putting the cup to one’s mouth, they should place the back of the right hand firmly and flatly under the cup and use it to tilt the cup towards the mouth. Even in english, we have left and right, which implies that left is wrong. In Africa avoid taking or passing anything with your left hand. Conversely, the feet are the least sacred part of the body – take your shoes off before entering someone’s home or a temple, and always sit without your feet pointing towards anyone else. 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. The left hand is considered 'unclean'- before toilet paper people wiped with their left hand. The left hand is considered ‘unclean' since it is the hand people generally use for washing themselves. Always eat and interact with people with your right (“clean”) hand. Left-handedness was not always exclusively associated with wrongdoing; its characterization as “good” or “bad” shifted to correspond with dominant social mores. Want an ad-free experience?Subscribe to Independent Premium. Introduction61 Leviticus 11 is dealing with the subject of cleanness and uncleanness—specifically, with the subject of clean and unclean foods. The "wiping" answers MAY be correct; Muslims are required to wipe (and do all other unclean things) with the left hand and may eat only using the right (clean) hand. Things are to be handled or passed with the right or both hands, but never the left hand, as this is considered the unclean hand no matter the religious observance. Using your iPhone to talk on the phone. In many parts of the world, the left hand is considered unclean, usually because it's used for “ablutions”. 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. Don't Wear Your Shoes Inside. Show activity on this post. Dec 12, 2016 - The left hand is considered unclean and should never be used for eating, feet are always tucked under the table, and alcohol and pork should never be asked for Travel can be a cultural minefield. 1. In Arab culture as well as many from the east, the left hand is considered unclean. There are many similar passages exalting the right hand in Islam's holy book, the Qur’an.In both Islam and Hinduism, the right hand is generally reserved for honourable occupations such as food handling and ceremonial activities, while the left hand is specified for necessary but unclean purposes such as cleaning oneself after defecation. When making sense of human nature, the Old Testament writes that humans have two impulses, called “yetzer.” Yetzer tov, an inclination toward good, appears on the right. Bias against left-handed people is bias or design that is usually unfavorable against people who are left-handed. by design most of the humans are right handed. Do not touch food, pass or receive anything, touch anyone or point with your left hand. hide. Did you enjoy it? My question is why the right hand and not the left hand… So just what had to happen for a beating to become a “normal” response to a child’s use of the left hand — and how has this changed over time? In the middle and near East, the left hand is used as the "toilet hand"--to wipe after relieving one's self. Given religion’s authoritative “truth telling” at the time, it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that these associations yielded some very painful consequences for the populations whose affairs religion governed. The left hand is considered ‘unclean' since it is the hand people generally use for washing themselves. There is a general distinction between northern and southern Indian food. The name "Ben Yamin" (= "son of the right hand") is probably a euphemism. Most are said to use their left hands to clean themselves up after using the toilet. There is a saying that when you swear with you left hand you do not intend to keep the oath. LifeXtra here reveals why the use of the left hand receives particular attention amongst Nigerians. In India, the left hand is hand associated with personal hygiene—and that includes putting on and taking off your shoes. Only touch food with the right hand. Across the Atlantic during the time of the Salem Witch Trials, use of the left hand could lead to one’s burning at the stake. Lane wrote in his 1836 book, An Account of the Manners and Customs of the Modern Egyptians, “It is a rule with the Muslims to honor the right hand above the left: to use the right hand for all honorable purposes, and the left for actions which, though necessary, are unclean.”. 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. Does anyone know why? Leviticus 11 is dealing with the subject of cleanness and uncleanness—specifically, with the subject of clean and unclean foods. The left hand is generally considered too unclean to actually eat with since it’s said to be the one used to wipe up in the washroom. Of course, that also means you’ll have to feign excitement about Sydney talk radio. I can understand why the left hand was considered “dirty”. Do you know why the left hand is considered unclean in the Arab world? When attempting to explain the genesis of the left’s association with evil, many historians point to a passage in the Book of Matthew. That’s considered rude; instead, stick your arm straight out at shoulder level, and paddle it up and down, with your palm facing down. The Greeks presented men and women as opposite pairs, with men representing the right and women representing the left. In many places, it is also considered polite to leave a bit of food on one’s plate. If you’re left-handed and visiting places like India, Nepal and the Middle East, you may have to pretend to be ambidextrous – it’s incredibly rude to eat, pick anything up or hand over money with your left. The left hand is for private duty only. Understanding Arabs: the use of the Inappropriate Hand. Across time and place, left-handedness has been seen as everything from a sign of moral degeneracy to a symptom of neurological deformity to an illegal act. Do not touch food, pass or receive anything, touch anyone or point with your left hand. They are seen as private actions and it is considered disrespectful to perform them in front of others. You can also choose to be emailed when someone replies to your comment. However, there are plenty of people around the world who don't wear their wedding rings on their left ring finger. Left-handedness was not always exclusively associated with wrongdoing; its characterization as “good” or “bad” shifted to correspond with dominant social mores. Corporate Culture 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. Several cultures consider crossing your legs to be rude. In medieval Europe people ate like that too. For thousands of years, the Devil has been associated with the left hand in various ways and is normally portrayed as being left-handed in pictures and other images. Ass cleanin' hand - left. It’s not the most offensive thing you can do, but you’ll certainly be taken for a snob. Much like in India, eating with the left-hand is considered disrespectful, and one should use their thumb and first two fingers to pick up and push food into your mouth. It is the acquired learning that makes us move away from nature. 1. Research the rules before you arrive at your destination. In remote areas in summer, my second wipe is always with water at the lake's edge. Personal space is incredibly important in South African culture – even if there’s a group of people in your way, you should never barrel through them. Opinion - Some people happen to be leftists right from birth while others are not. 16-21). share. In many places, it is al… The left hand is taboo. India, Burma and more: Wearing sleeveless tops. It’s also considered generally impure. Throughout Indonesian society the left hand is used for “toilet duties” and is therefore considered unclean. Here are some of the most common things tourists do that cause unintended offence, Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile. The idea is the hand that is eaten with is clean, because you use the left hand to deal with unclean things, like wiping your butt. Throughout history, it was common practice to use the left hand in the restroom to clean oneself, keeping the right hand sanitary for shaking hands and eating. Chopsticks can be a minefield, and not just because of their mechanics. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. Why … Independent Premium Comments can be posted by members of our membership scheme, Independent Premium. 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