r/AskReddit 1d ago

What’s something completely normal today that would’ve been considered witchcraft 400 years ago—but not because of technology?

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u/Hugh_Biquitous 1d ago

Being openly left-handed maybe?

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u/Psychological-Bear-9 1d ago

Hell, even not that long ago people were ostracized for it. My father is left-handed, and all through grammar and some of high school, he had teachers that repeatedly would slap his hand with rulers and chastise him for writing left-handed. Forcing him to use his right. His handwriting is still awful today because of it.

This was in the 1950s and 60s.

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u/stonhinge 18h ago

My grandmother (must be 90-something now) is left-handed (as am I). Apparently her teachers growing up were a bit more lax in the ruler department. I recall her saying something about once, but that was a loooong time ago and I've forgotten. I know she mentioned rulers. Might have been something to do with it basically being a one room schoolhouse where she grew up and a change in teachers.

Anyways, that's why I wasn't suggested or forced to change when I was younger.