Left or Right Hand Retrieve

[elkhunter11]

When I started fishing close to 60 years ago, I was given a spin cast setup with right hand retrieve. I used that configuration, until I moved away from home, then I bought a spinning setup, and used the handle on the right side, because it felt familiar, even though many people retrieved with the left hand. When I started fly fishing ,I used my right hand to retrive, the same with mooching gear. Recently, I purchased a baitcasting reel to use for jigging, again right hand retrieve.
Last summer the GF came fishing with us, and when I looked over, she had the spinning rod upside down, and was cranking backwards with her left hand. I offered to change the handle to the left, but she said that she was comfortable with it, the way it was. Next spring , I will have her try the handle on the left, and then I will see if she prefers bait casting gear for jigging.