Both the left turns were specifically left turns to avoid taking me closer to the oncoming traffic. The incident in class G, had us tracking inbound and outbound from the same aerodrome on bearings differing by one or two degrees. Not sufficient in my mind for adequate separation, but a right turn would have meant I crossed the other aircraft's track, assuming we were both accurate to a single degree. Left meant moving away from it.
The incident in the circuit area was a left turn because had I turned right, I would have hit it.
TCAS in my aircraft would never be a disadvantage.