Gingers vs Redheads

[UffishThought]

http://theboard.byu.edu/questions/68821/

Two years ago, no one had ever called me a ginger--it was always redhead. Now almost no one refers to me as a redhead, it's always ginger. I might be oversensitive, but since the change in terminology appears to be correlated with the rather insulting recent memes about gingers, I am not a fan of the change.

I know it's all in good fun and no one actually believes that I steal souls because I don't have one of my own, but it's still an unflattering and tiresome joke. In my mind, it's kind of equivalent to the polygamy jokes that Mormons get. Obviously incorrect, usually not meant maliciously, but still annoying to the victims. And yet when non-Mormons or non-redheads get on the topic of Mormons or redheads, respectively, they almost can't resist making the joke. I'm expected to smile and play along with the idea that I'm soulless and perpetually short-tempered, or I'm a poor sport who can't take a joke or laugh at herself.

So though I know that "ginger" isn't technically a rude name, my own experience gives it an unflattering connotation, and I prefer "redhead." Where do you stand, Genuine? Any other redheads here? Or non-redheads with something to add?

[Giovanni Schwartz]

I feel ginger feels like a ruder term, indeed. I think that saying "She's a ginger" just sounds a lot less nice than "She's a redhead"; it seems to insinuate something involving all of those (entirely false) joking stereotypes that people throw out, whereas I think redhead is simply a comment on hair color.

[Zedability]

My brother hates being called a ginger, too

[Dead Cat]

My grandma was always teased as a kid for having red hair so she always made it a point to tell those of us who had red hair how wonderful it was--to the point where some of those who didn't probably felt left out. I've never had anyone tease me for my hair color, rather I get complimented on it frequently. I don't think I've ever actually been called a ginger, but I associate the term more with those whose hair is more on the bright orange side than on the auburn end, where I am.

[Yog in Neverland]

I agree wif Uffish. I wanted to go into it more in my answer but I couldn't figure out how to address it since I have little experience with the change.

[Marduk]

I only ever call dudes gingers.

But that's because girls who are red headed are just hot.

[NerdGirl]

I actually dye my hair red because it helps me to steal souls more efficiently.

[krebscout]

Hey I dye mine too. It's been dark red for probably almost a year now. Trying to go back to natural, though.

[mic0]

I've been called a ginger only a handful of times, and I was never really hurt by it, though it was a little weird. Well, depending on who it came from - from my favorite teacher in high school? Whatever From random male acquaintances? Weeeird.

[Concealocanth]

Meh, some of us are glad blonde jokes aren't the hair color stereotype du jour anymore...

Buuut, yeah, hair stereotypes are strange and lame, and often not so much offensive as just plain unfunny and wearing to hear over and over.

[Genuine Article]

I prefer redhead, but I also don't know that anyone's ever called me a ginger before. Old men tend to say things like, "Sure do like that hair of yours, Red" which I don't mind. I have had to put up with the temper stereotype, but more often than not people compliment me on my hair color, which I never quite know how to respond to, because they're praising me for something I have no control over. It'd be one thing if they commended me for having healthy hair, or for picking a flattering hairstyle, but it's always about the color. So I sigh inwardly and say "Thanks, I grew it myself" and change the subject.

[Craig Jessop]

Old men call you Red? For some reason I think of Seven Brides For Seven Brothers, or the Little House On The Prairie when you say that.

[Yarjka]

This song by Tim Minchin is very pertinent to this discussion. (**R-rated language**)

[Giovanni Schwartz]

[Digit]

I bet this ad got Japanese people to make a positive association when they think of McDonald's thanks to that beautiful redhead.

[Portia]

I have what might be called dark strawberry blonde hair. I have much more a "stereotypical" redheaded personality - impulsive, short-tempered, passionate, sharp-tongued - than perhaps anyone else on this board. I also more closely identify with redheaded heroines than others - for instance, I know Uffish loathes Anne of Green Gables, whom I basically was as a preteen. (Another redheaded stereotype, perhaps - dramatic and solipsistic? ) I also loved Merida's "fiery" attitude and independence in Brave, and wonder if that film could help turn stereotypes around?

My hair's not blonde enough to get dumb blonde jokes (being smart helps too) nor red enough to get those. My stepdad, (half-) brother and sister are golden blondes and my mom's a brunette. I get fewer comments about my hair than my eyes or teeth. A few have said that they like its shininess or straightness, or especially now its length since I grew it out for the first time in years. Utahns are prejudiced in favor of long (feminine, I guess) hair, and I will admit it flatters me and my face structure more. And that bangs are the devil on me.

[Imogen]

I would just like to say that redheads are generally more attractive than the general population, and i envy all of you who have red hair.

[Portia]

I would just like to say that redheads are generally more attractive than the general population, and i envy all of you who have red hair.

I swear Mormons, especially Utah/Arizona/Idaho, have a freakishly high percentage of red hair. My theory is that we converted all the Scots and Danes and then that produced a genetic bottleneck.

[NerdGirl]

I keep seeing this thread title and think there should be a fight between the gingers and the redheads.

[UffishThought]

I would just like to say that redheads are generally more attractive than the general population, and i envy all of you who have red hair.

I have a theory that it red hair pushes you further to either side of the attractiveness spectrum. Some are more attractive, and some are downright homely.

Of course, I feel like I'm somewhere in the middle, and I know several other average-looking redheads, so I don't even really believe my own theory.