Originally Posted by
Rogerogeroge
Here's another way to think of it. Ever heard of the term 'right hand threads'? Now stick out your right hand and make a thumbs up. If you turn the fastener in the direction of your fingers, the fastener will travel the direction of your thumb. For example, if you're looking 'over' your hand, your fingers are curling in a counter-clockwise direction. Turn the nut or bolt the direction of your fingers and the fastener will go up, which is how your thumb is pointed. You can hold your hand up over your head with the thumb pointed down or to the left or right, and the rule still holds true.
You must be an electrical engineer. I learned this as the orientation of magnetic field around a conductor. I find this thinking very useful, though sometimes I flip things 180 degrees in my mind and tighten things when I mean to loosen them. Recently broke my favorite 35 year old Craftsman 1/2" ratchet because I was backwards. Oh well, at least it was replaceable without damaging the part I was trying to loosen.