Why do some people dislike red hair (“ginger”)?
Discussion
In the UK, (I don’t know about elsewhere), there is definitely an “anti-ginger” feeling. Mainly I think in jest but it seems to be one of the few prejudices from my childhood that is publicity acceptable eg I can’t remember the last “Irish are stupid” joke or comment I heard even though they were on mainstream TV as a child but I still hear abuse of “gingers” eg on another thread on here today (hence this post).
I’m puzzled why there is an anti redhead thing. Although I don’t agree with prejudice based on physical characteristics I can sort of understand why people are negative about obese people and even colour prejudice could be rationalised as dislike of people who are different.
One could try to make a similar argument for redheads as there are not many of them but then there are blondes, who are also very much in the minority yet if anything get preferential treatment.
In general people like the colour red - look at all the red sport cars and motorbikes (Ferrari and Ducati anyone?) so it can’t just be the colour.
Personally I find red hair can be very attractive on a woman.
I wonder whether in the past it was racial prejudice. Blondes are associated with Germanic and Nordic peoples whilst I think red hair is more common amongst the Celts. Although the racial prejudice has mainly disappeared perhaps we are left with an irrational prejudice against red hair.
Any other ideas?
I’m puzzled why there is an anti redhead thing. Although I don’t agree with prejudice based on physical characteristics I can sort of understand why people are negative about obese people and even colour prejudice could be rationalised as dislike of people who are different.
One could try to make a similar argument for redheads as there are not many of them but then there are blondes, who are also very much in the minority yet if anything get preferential treatment.
In general people like the colour red - look at all the red sport cars and motorbikes (Ferrari and Ducati anyone?) so it can’t just be the colour.
Personally I find red hair can be very attractive on a woman.
I wonder whether in the past it was racial prejudice. Blondes are associated with Germanic and Nordic peoples whilst I think red hair is more common amongst the Celts. Although the racial prejudice has mainly disappeared perhaps we are left with an irrational prejudice against red hair.
Any other ideas?
The 'ginger hate' baffles me. Even at school I thought it was nonsensical for people to verbally or physically abused because of hair colour, or any other physical appearance trait. I suppose it's simply people picking on those who are different or in a minority.
One of my friends is extremely red haired, and said he was often given grief at school. His wife now works in a school and was telling me that a few years ago 'kick a ginger day' was arranged nationwide via social media and actually resulted in such serious bullying that the police attended some schools for the complaint of assault.
Completely ridiculous and irrational, but that's humans for you.
I'll also add my name to the list of posters who find red haired women attractive.
One of my friends is extremely red haired, and said he was often given grief at school. His wife now works in a school and was telling me that a few years ago 'kick a ginger day' was arranged nationwide via social media and actually resulted in such serious bullying that the police attended some schools for the complaint of assault.
Completely ridiculous and irrational, but that's humans for you.
I'll also add my name to the list of posters who find red haired women attractive.
Evoluzione said:
WyrleyD said:
Agree they can be gorgeous, I was engaged to a fiery one when I was younger but I got dumped for somebody better.
So is natural hair colour linked with personality? Evoluzione said:
WyrleyD said:
Agree they can be gorgeous, I was engaged to a fiery one when I was younger but I got dumped for somebody better.
So is natural hair colour linked with personality? With regards to the 'feisty' or 'crazy' personality suggestions, some research has shown that their bodies can, in some cases, activate the 'fight or flight' response sooner and produce more adrenaline, than that of someone without the MC1R gene.
Evoluzione said:
WyrleyD said:
Agree they can be gorgeous, I was engaged to a fiery one when I was younger but I got dumped for somebody better.
So is natural hair colour linked with personality? My first girlfriend at school had very long, very ginger hair and she used to get loads of stick for it. I then got abuse for "shaggin a ginge!" which I found very difficult to live with. Peer pressure as a teen can be very challenging.
That was 35 years ago, so it's not a new phenomenon by any means.
That was 35 years ago, so it's not a new phenomenon by any means.
Lord Marylebone said:
Evoluzione said:
WyrleyD said:
Agree they can be gorgeous, I was engaged to a fiery one when I was younger but I got dumped for somebody better.
So is natural hair colour linked with personality? With regards to the 'feisty' or 'crazy' personality suggestions, some research has shown that their bodies can, in some cases, activate the 'fight or flight' response sooner and produce more adrenaline, than that of someone without the MC1R gene.
However, as a wife, she's uber laid back and pretty much fit and forget.
As a good friend of mine said, when I started seeing her, "ah ginger, your spiritual home".
vikingaero said:
Ginger is the only characteristic that isn't protected and you can make fun of. 
If you're ginger and can take the wind-ups then you're a good egg.
And if you can't take the 'wind-ups'? A brief Google will bring up a steady stream of news articles reporting the suicides and attempted suicides of red haired kids who were bullied relentlessly, purely for their hair colour.If you're ginger and can take the wind-ups then you're a good egg.
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