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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to not understand why people are so negative about red hair

223 replies

memoo · 04/09/2010 19:32

As my DD's hair grows it looks like she is going to be a red head.

She is only 11 months old and already we have had quite a few negative comments the latest being "at least she will be able to dye it when she gets older"

I just don't get it! why is having red hair looked upon as a bad thing? its just a hair colour FFS. And why do so many people think its ok to make jokes about redheads?

If a person makes an derogatory comment about a persons skin colour there is uproar but red heads seem to just be fair game

OP posts:
OneTwoBuckleMyShoe · 04/09/2010 19:34

YANBU

I am a proud auburn (not Ginger anymore Sad )

Historically it was a sign of evil and witchcraft, Judas is supposed to have been a red head.

My DD has my colour hair and I couldn't be happier as we need more natural redheads in this world.

Lauriefairycake · 04/09/2010 19:35

because people are in general, fucking stupid
and ignorant

red hair is of course fabulous

TheButterflyEffect · 04/09/2010 19:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

retiredgoth2 · 04/09/2010 19:35

Two of my four urchins are gingers.

I have urged them to seek genetic counselling when older.

DuncanDisorderly · 04/09/2010 19:36

Red hair is beautiful, especially on girls. I was desperately hoping one of mine would be a ginge but alas it wasn't to be.

SacharissaCripslock · 04/09/2010 19:36

I have a thing for blokes with red hair. Mmm Bradley from EE. Grin DH is a red head too.

Didn't get me any red headed children though. Sad

Muser · 04/09/2010 19:36

Because people are idiots. Don't worry, for all the negative comments you'll get an awful lot of positive ones too. I always got lovely comments from some people (normally old ladies) when I was growing up.

I am currently 15 weeks pregnant and would be delighted if this baby is a redhead. Just remember all the gorgeous redheads out there. Karen Gillan, Nicole Kidman (sometimes), Julia Roberts, Julianne Moore, Alicia Witt, her from MadMen.

FerminaUrbinoDaza · 04/09/2010 19:36

YANBU

Isn't auburn one of the most common colours for dye jobs?

Lauriefairycake · 04/09/2010 19:36

the Ginger safe house Grin

FerminaUrbinoDaza · 04/09/2010 19:37

As in dyed auburn, not dyed-over auburn...

letsblowthistacostand · 04/09/2010 19:37

Just give her a squeeze and say, "Oooh yes, isn't it gorgeous, I've always wanted a redhead!"

Other option is to move to the US where red hair is considered exotic and beautiful.

Must say DD2 is ginger and have had nothing but positive comments. DH also ginger and appears to have survived it.

clemetteattlee · 04/09/2010 19:38

Because people are ignorant and think it is reasonable to be offensive and discriminatory. Funny how the same people would never make the same comments about skin colour or facial features.

As an adolescent anyone criticising my hair was met with "I could change it if I wanted to, you will always be an idiot".
Now my ginger is fading I dye it to keep it looking all carroty :)

Rockbird · 04/09/2010 19:39

What Laurie said. :)

DD looked like she was going to be red, alas not except it looks auburn in the sun. I was gutted, I've always wanted red hair.

MarshaBrady · 04/09/2010 19:39

It's weird isn't it. As an adult, red hair looks vibrant and lovely to me. But I remember at school some red heads getting a bad time for it from other children.

However the few red heads at ds' school are really lovely looking and are often told how beautiful their hair is (they are boys).

FiveGoMadInDorset · 04/09/2010 19:40

I am so disappointed that neither of my children are red haired as I am.

Original poster
memoo · 04/09/2010 19:41

My eldest DD has actually said that she wished she had red hair too and asked if she could die it Smile

OP posts:
howdidthishappenthen · 04/09/2010 19:42

How very very rude. I have a little strawberry-blonde and I think she's absolutely gorgeous.

PlanetEarth · 04/09/2010 19:44

I love red hair, wish I had it Sad.

CarmenSanDiego · 04/09/2010 19:49

I used to know a girl with vivid waistlength red hair. It was stunning. Ran into her as an adult and she'd dyed it black. She's still very beautiful but she used to look so unique. I'd love hair that colour.

101damnations · 04/09/2010 19:49

I love red hair and used to dye mine bright red.

People can be arses.DH and I are both dark and the dds are both blonde and I've had more than one comment about them not looking like us.

mumbar · 04/09/2010 19:53

My ds has a red tinge in his hair especially in sunlight - he loves it as my cousin (his favourite) had very 'ginger' hair.

LOL the other day when in the pharmacy DS was sat on the window ledge waiting for his meds, he started asking the pharmacist what the cameras were for and the pharmacist said 'watching what people do in case their naughty - especially boys with ginger hair and glasses' Grin

It really didn't bother me as it showed me that he saw that part of ds as his identity which makes him unique iyswim.

OP does your dd have lots of cute freckles that people with this colouring often has - DS' are ssssssssoooooooo cute Wink

lisa34 · 04/09/2010 19:57

I have a DS who has the most gorgeous strawberry blonde hair and loads and loads of freckles, i love it and so does he Grin

SecretNutellaFix · 04/09/2010 20:03

I love seeing red-headed kids. I was a very dark auburn when I was small which darkened to nearly black, my first cousins- 2 had red hair and my maternal grandmother had vibrant red hair.

My dh has red through his hair and beard so if we are fortunate enough to have children, then I'd say we'll have redhaired bespectacled children.

ragged · 04/09/2010 20:04

It makes me insanely angry that redheads get picked on (and teased for it is this a particularly British thing?, I find it shocking!!!)

zapostrophe · 04/09/2010 20:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn