i never understood the question: how could anybody ever even think that a mirror flips left and right? there is no emperical way to observe this behaviour (with a single flat mirror).
The way I think about is: "When you are looking at a mirror, and you blink your left eye, mirror-you blinks his right eye. But when you are laying on your side looking at a mirror, and you blink your top eye, mirror you blinks his top eye."
maybe this question would make sense, if i would see myself as the center of the universe, all creation and all there is - but there is a pretty high chance that i ain't. (and even then i'm not sure if this question would make sense)
In one hand I'm trying to hold/'point' the 'stick' and in the other hand, not only am I trying to get the ball to the end of the stick, but at the same time trying to rotate it so that the hole in the ball lines up with the end of the stick. Everything points, moves and rolls totally against what I think it should be doing.
I, like you, find it easier to just do away with the mirror and try and work it out myself.
Having said that, this whole conversation has made me really think about the mirror and so I'm hoping that next time, it won't be so hard!
if the left/right switched person would stand where mirror me is standing, loooking in the direction where mirror me is starring, he would not look like mirror me, he would be switched left/right.