Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: chris on 11/05/2017 11:19:02

Title: Why do right handers stir their tea in a clockwise direction?
Post by: chris on 11/05/2017 11:19:02

Donald Piniach has been in touch to say:

I have noted that right handed people stir their beverages clockwise without exception. Is this in any way related to the decision to have all analog clocks move the same way? Or is it related to the way the sundial moves in the northern hemisphere? Or ways it just an arbitrary decision? The answer is not just trivia but may be the basis of a new insurrection against right supremacy. Signed, the L.A.R.Q. (lefties against right quality)

Title: Re: Why do right handers stir their tea in a clockwise direction?
Post by: Colin2B on 11/05/2017 12:05:27

I don't. So you can't say without exception.

Title: Re: Why do right handers stir their tea in a clockwise direction?
Post by: atrox on 12/05/2017 11:41:45

I also do not. I think that observation might have been biased?

Title: Re: Why do right handers stir their tea in a clockwise direction?
Post by: chris on 12/05/2017 13:55:39

I think I do; but then, on the other hand, maybe I don't ;)

Title: Re: Why do right handers stir their tea in a clockwise direction?
Post by: SquarishTriangle on 12/05/2017 15:53:12

Wait, people stir their tea? You don't just bob the teabag up and down so that it vaguely mixes?

Just trying to mime the two actions, but I think the movement of my wrist is more 'fluid' when rotating outwards than inwards, for each hand. So maybe that makes clockwise stirring slightly more comfortable for the right-handed person, and vice versa.

Title: Re: Why do right handers stir their tea in a clockwise direction?
Post by: atrox on 12/05/2017 17:00:39

Interesting. I have a different perception. In stirring outwards I need to move the whole wrist, which makes it much more unpleasant for me as it feels a bit clumsy and I need more engery for this. If I stirr inwards, I can accomplish the stirring by basically just moving my thumb and forefinger, which is a rather small movement.

I have, btw, this weird habit, that I need a spoon in my tea, even though I drink it without milk or sugar. Maybe the ruminant movement is one reason for this ;-)

Title: Re: Why do right handers stir their tea in a clockwise direction?
Post by: jeffreyH on 12/05/2017 18:14:05

I use a quantum spoon. It either goes clockwise, anti-clockwise or both at the same time. Does that help?

Title: Re: Why do right handers stir their tea in a clockwise direction?
Post by: SquarishTriangle on 13/05/2017 03:50:43

Quote from: atrox on 12/05/2017 17:00:39

Interesting. I have a different perception. In stirring outwards I need to move the whole wrist, which makes it much more unpleasant for me as it feels a bit clumsy and I need more engery for this. If I stirr inwards, I can accomplish the stirring by basically just moving my thumb and forefinger, which is a rather small movement.

I have, btw, this weird habit, that I need a spoon in my tea, even though I drink it without milk or sugar. Maybe the ruminant movement is one reason for this ;-)

Your first point demonstrates the difference between the precise, fine stirring technique of a German, versus the grotesque wrist gyration of an Australian... ;)

The second thing is indeed quite weird. Do you enjoy the spoon stabbing you in the eye?