First, let me say this is only a minor complaint. I love Skyrim and realize that such a great game is not going to be perfect, or even possibly perfect for everyone. I'm happy to live with that, but I'm curious if other left-handers have similar experiences to myself?

It seems natural for me to put a shield in my right hand and a weapon in my left. No, I've never used any of this equipment IRL, but similar to snowboarding or skateboarding, people often have a preference for which foot would go first even before they actually attempt it. It just feels right. Some are easily able to shift from one to the other, and I don't have too much trouble playing a right-handed game since I've grown up in a majority right-handed world, but it's still a little awkward after a few hundred hours of gameplay.

I've recently started a spellsword-type character with a sword in my left hand and a spell in the right. Again, feels natural. This is intended to take advantage of the damage scaling of 1-Hand to augment the lack of damage scaling in destruction. Say what you will about the wisdom of it, but it's definitely a fun style so far. Now, I would like to apply a poison to the only physical weapon I have equipped, but I am unable to do so. I would have to un-equip, re-equip to my right hand, apply the potion, and switch back. I've tried it once or twice and it's a good way to temporarily ruin the normally excellent immersive gameplay. I wasn't going much into the alchemy skill anyway, but I wouldn't mind applying some of the poisons I find out and about in a more user-friendly manner. I'm also unable to equip a shield in my right hand, as I mentioned, with a spell in my left for the more difficult battles.

Finally, I'm not sure, but I've read that the attack speed of a left-hand equipped, single-handed weapon is slightly slower than a right-hand equipped, single-handed weapon. Seriously? I may be misinformed on this, but why would the developers intentionally insert an additional disadvantage for left-handed players (other than the obvious no-shield-in-right-hand)?

I'm left handed, and I don't think Beth was trying to gimp a left handed character, in all honesty they probably didn't even think about it. Restricting the shield to the left arm has never really bugged me. I have noticed sneak attacks with the left hand are slower, and a have an awkward animation, but such is life.

If you are on PC, there might be some mods somewhere out there that can change you to a left handed character. I've been looking, but yet to find any. If you're on xbox, then you will just have to keep playing with your unique style.

Back in the pilgrims times left handed people weren't allowed to go to school, and write and stuff because they would smudge the ink.

Attack speed in general is governed by the left hand in this game. A dagger in the left hand with a sword in the right hand will result in an overall faster attack speed than the opposite. I'm not sure how the single-wielding would work, though.

Why would mouse manufacturers intentionally make more mice for right-handed computer users/gamers? Everybody can't get everything they want.

"If you are on PC, there might be some mods somewhere out there that can change you to a left handed character. I've been looking, but yet to find any. If you're on xbox, then you will just have to keep playing with your unique style."
Dren, thanks, I'm on xbox with no knowledge of mods. I intended to continue playing and enjoying regardless.

buckom: "Why would mouse manufacturers intentionally make more mice for right-handed computer users/gamers? Everybody can't get everything they want."
I apologize, this is my first post in these forums or any forums, I'm not aware of what 'mouse' means or the obvious plural. We'll see how this turns out.

The rolly or lasery thing with the 2 or more buttons and scroll wheel on it that moves the cursor/pointer across a computer screen.

Sinister people are a minority, Most Right Minders have to use generic Ambidextrous mice because very few manufacturers make an ergonomic mouse (computer version of a joystick) for them. I had a Left Handed Supervisor who would reassign the buttons on his Mouse and laugh when a Right Handed person like me would "right click".
My left handed family members do not play as many computer games because the controls in every game are designed by default for Right Hand usage, a Left Handed person has to reassign hotkeys for convenience, or learn how to use thier Right Hand.
Try writing with your offhand, I can do it because I am a mechanic and have almost enough control of my left hand to make my name legible, but most people are unable to use thier offhand for any precision work.