Forums > Social Discussion > More on British Culture... Gingers
Login/Join to ParticipateDreamer
4,308 posts
Location: York, England
4,308 posts
Location: York, England
Posted:
I hadn't even actually heard the term ginger haired used before I went there- in the US we are boring and say red. But what I missed was the apparently deragatory nature of it, and what a problem it can actually be. Talking to people, I've since learned that as a red-head in britain you expect to be abused about it all through school and in general even when you are out walking... this mystifies me, but after I started looking for it I found a lot of stories. So...
Brits, is it really that bad? Does it depend where you are?
Have any non brits seen it? Particuarly orange people might be called carrot top here, and are stereotyped to not like their hair, but... its certainly not much!
I know its essentially just another form of racism, and this one even has a gene seperating them from others, but.... how very strange! Any thoughts or explanations welcome...
Kyri
I hadn't even actually heard the term ginger haired used before I went there- in the US we are boring and say red. But what I missed was the apparently deragatory nature of it, and what a problem it can actually be. Talking to people, I've since learned that as a red-head in britain you expect to be abused about it all through school and in general even when you are out walking... this mystifies me, but after I started looking for it I found a lot of stories. So...
Brits, is it really that bad? Does it depend where you are?
Have any non brits seen it? Particuarly orange people might be called carrot top here, and are stereotyped to not like their hair, but... its certainly not much!
I know its essentially just another form of racism, and this one even has a gene seperating them from others, but.... how very strange! Any thoughts or explanations welcome...
Kyri
Keep your dream alive
Dreamin is still how the strong survive
Shalom VeAhavah
New Hampshire has a point....
SILVER Member
mostly a muppet in need of distraction...
305 posts
Location: bristol, Australia
mostly a muppet in need of distraction...
305 posts
Location: bristol, Australia
Posted:
just so that you all know.....
i LOVE being ginger - its not so common like blondes or brunettes, sets me apart from my friends when we're out and if people choose to call me ginge or ginger nut etc its gives me something to talk about. and....i think ginger blokes can be quite sexy as well.
Becs x
just so that you all know.....
i LOVE being ginger - its not so common like blondes or brunettes, sets me apart from my friends when we're out and if people choose to call me ginge or ginger nut etc its gives me something to talk about. and....i think ginger blokes can be quite sexy as well.
Becs x
Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for a day, set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.
BRONZE Member
member
110 posts
Location: my own little planet of gingerness, United Kingdom
member
110 posts
Location: my own little planet of gingerness, United Kingdom
Posted:
its not a proper hug but from 1 ginger to another
its not a proper hug but from 1 ginger to another
i dont get paid to belive i get paid to destroy things
BRONZE Member
Macaque of all trades
8,738 posts
Location: wombling free..., United Kingdom
Macaque of all trades
8,738 posts
Location: wombling free..., United Kingdom
Posted:
tart....
but for the whole ginger community 
does anyone here think being ginger gives you any kind of advantages?
mostly people have talked about bullying and ridicule but has anyone here found that good things have happened purely because they were ginger???
tart....
but for the whole ginger community does anyone here think being ginger gives you any kind of advantages?
mostly people have talked about bullying and ridicule but has anyone here found that good things have happened purely because they were ginger???
A couple of balls short of a full cascade... or maybe a few cards short of a deck... we'll see how this all fans out.
activist for HoPper liberation.
1,643 posts
Location: ffidrac
1,643 posts
Location: ffidrac
Posted:
uh... well it's not necessarily a good thing, one (drunk) guy invited (nay... almost dragged me, kicking and screaming) to elope with him and create lots of ginger babies.... he was bald, so i guess it was 50/50 as to whether it would actually work....
but other than that i get lots of people say nice things about my hair colour quite a lot, which is nice
Also, i suspect you could make big bucks if you sold ginger hair to wigmaker....
... but i'm sure there are better answers to your question than that....
uh... well it's not necessarily a good thing, one (drunk) guy invited (nay... almost dragged me, kicking and screaming) to elope with him and create lots of ginger babies.... he was bald, so i guess it was 50/50 as to whether it would actually work....
but other than that i get lots of people say nice things about my hair colour quite a lot, which is nice
Also, i suspect you could make big bucks if you sold ginger hair to wigmaker....
... but i'm sure there are better answers to your question than that....
Aurinko freedom agreement reached 10th Sept 2006
if it makes no sense that's because it's NOn-sense.
SILVER Member
mostly a muppet in need of distraction...
305 posts
Location: bristol, Australia
mostly a muppet in need of distraction...
305 posts
Location: bristol, Australia
Posted:
then bid for me....
shameless plug!
then bid for me....
shameless plug! Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for a day, set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.
newbie
3 posts
Location: Brisbane, qld, Ausralia
3 posts
Location: Brisbane, qld, Ausralia
Posted:
im a ginger and i got it a fair bit as a kid. i grew up first in the uk then in australia and i can say from experience taht its a bit more mean spirited in the uk whereas in australia its more about mucking around. i havent really met a red head who hasnt gotten used to it early on and like someone mentioned before its now like water off a ducks back, plus its part of what made me the person i am today :P
my fave one is wranga as in oranutang!
long live the ginge
im a ginger and i got it a fair bit as a kid. i grew up first in the uk then in australia and i can say from experience taht its a bit more mean spirited in the uk whereas in australia its more about mucking around. i havent really met a red head who hasnt gotten used to it early on and like someone mentioned before its now like water off a ducks back, plus its part of what made me the person i am today :P
my fave one is wranga as in oranutang!
long live the ginge
jesus this moses that, abraham hit me with a wiffel bat.
Dreamer
4,308 posts
Location: York, England
4,308 posts
Location: York, England
Posted:
When I get back UK wards someone's gonna have to get me to pronounce these things properly......
Still like to point out that red is chic in the US... like everyone dyes their hair red.... altho natural red is still pretty much only actually hot for girls, don't know why....
Personally, I like my men like I like my beer......
When I get back UK wards someone's gonna have to get me to pronounce these things properly......
Still like to point out that red is chic in the US... like everyone dyes their hair red.... altho natural red is still pretty much only actually hot for girls, don't know why....
Personally, I like my men like I like my beer......
Keep your dream alive
Dreamin is still how the strong survive
Shalom VeAhavah
New Hampshire has a point....
BRONZE Member
member
110 posts
Location: my own little planet of gingerness, United Kingdom
member
110 posts
Location: my own little planet of gingerness, United Kingdom
Posted:
captin pants same as that if it wasnt for being bullied and taunted as a kid
i wouldnt be the person i am to day
so thank you to those who made my life hell as a kid
EDITED_BY: el ginger 1 (1125058174)
captin pants same as that if it wasnt for being bullied and taunted as a kid
i wouldnt be the person i am to day
so thank you to those who made my life hell as a kid
EDITED_BY: el ginger 1 (1125058174)
i dont get paid to belive i get paid to destroy things
BRONZE Member
Macaque of all trades
8,738 posts
Location: wombling free..., United Kingdom
Macaque of all trades
8,738 posts
Location: wombling free..., United Kingdom
Posted:
Oi shaun What about those of us that make your life Hell as an adult don't we deserve some credit.
I think what kyrian means is she likes her men cold and wet. 
Oi shaun What about those of us that make your life Hell as an adult
don't we deserve some credit.I think what kyrian means is she likes her men cold and wet.
A couple of balls short of a full cascade... or maybe a few cards short of a deck... we'll see how this all fans out.
BRONZE Member
member
110 posts
Location: my own little planet of gingerness, United Kingdom
member
110 posts
Location: my own little planet of gingerness, United Kingdom
Posted:
you dont make my life hell tho mate nor do any of my other mates that make fun of my hair colour because i know your only joking its not whats said its the way its said
you can take the mick as much as you like mate you now i dont care and you also know that the chances are that youll get an equally derogetry reply you fat twaT
you dont make my life hell tho mate nor do any of my other mates that make fun of my hair colour because i know your only joking its not whats said its the way its said
you can take the mick as much as you like mate you now i dont care and you also know that the chances are that youll get an equally derogetry reply you fat twaT
i dont get paid to belive i get paid to destroy things
Dreamer
4,308 posts
Location: York, England
4,308 posts
Location: York, England
Posted:
Ah, the ways that can go! Cold and wet could be amusing tho...
Nah I've just been on a big red beer kick lately, and the saying just kinda fell out of my mouth... fair enough, I adore my ginger
Try as i might i can't draw any other decent comparisons..... Tried for a joke involving head but it never quite made it.
Ah, the ways that can go! Cold and wet could be amusing tho...
Nah I've just been on a big red beer kick lately, and the saying just kinda fell out of my mouth... fair enough, I adore my ginger
Try as i might i can't draw any other decent comparisons..... Tried for a joke involving head but it never quite made it.
Keep your dream alive
Dreamin is still how the strong survive
Shalom VeAhavah
New Hampshire has a point....
BRONZE Member
member
110 posts
Location: my own little planet of gingerness, United Kingdom
member
110 posts
Location: my own little planet of gingerness, United Kingdom
Posted:
I dont know about you other gingers but im sweating my bolcks
off it definatly has not been ginger friendly weather over the last few days dont get me wrong im not moaning about the beautiful sun were getting at the moment but i spent the bank holiday
on the beach and now im reder the postman pats van
---------------------------------------------------
smile its free
EDITED_BY: el ginger 1 (1125498035)
I dont know about you other gingers but im sweating my bolcks
off it definatly has not been ginger friendly weather over the last few days dont get me wrong im not moaning about the beautiful sun were getting at the moment but i spent the bank holiday
on the beach and now im reder the postman pats van
---------------------------------------------------
smile its free
EDITED_BY: el ginger 1 (1125498035)
i dont get paid to belive i get paid to destroy things
SILVER Member
mmm...i feel all warm and fuzzy... 'no dude, that's your hair on fire'
355 posts
Location: Birmingham, Australia
mmm...i feel all warm and fuzzy... 'no dude, that's your hair on fire'
355 posts
Location: Birmingham, Australia
Posted:
Heh, that's what i find strange about fair haired people...the rest of us get tanned, you guys just...burn
Heh, that's what i find strange about fair haired people...the rest of us get tanned, you guys just...burn
It's better to burn out than to fade away
Dreamer
4,308 posts
Location: York, England
4,308 posts
Location: York, England
Posted:
Ha, still remember a friend of mine went to Cali, was soooo careful about not getting burned.... first day back in england he gets a sunburn
must be weird, my aunt (she's a ginger, yes) turns into a dalmation when she sits in the sun, i just don't change colour at all.....
Ha, still remember a friend of mine went to Cali, was soooo careful about not getting burned.... first day back in england he gets a sunburn
must be weird, my aunt (she's a ginger, yes) turns into a dalmation when she sits in the sun, i just don't change colour at all.....
Keep your dream alive
Dreamin is still how the strong survive
Shalom VeAhavah
New Hampshire has a point....
BRONZE Member
member
110 posts
Location: my own little planet of gingerness, United Kingdom
member
110 posts
Location: my own little planet of gingerness, United Kingdom
Posted:
yeah i now it sucks
this time evry year we have a big 3 day beach party which was fantastic this year any way i was spining fire at this party and had previously though it wouuld be a good idea to shave my head as i often do to prevent it get singed
or burnt but now i have a sunburnt head
cant win really
yeah i now it sucks
this time evry year we have a big 3 day beach party which was fantastic this year any way i was spining fire at this party and had previously though it wouuld be a good idea to shave my head as i often do to prevent it get singed
or burnt but now i have a sunburnt head
cant win really
i dont get paid to belive i get paid to destroy things
BRONZE Member
member
110 posts
Location: my own little planet of gingerness, United Kingdom
member
110 posts
Location: my own little planet of gingerness, United Kingdom
Posted:
dalmation: i have loads of freakles when i burn i look like suntand salami
dalmation: i have loads of freakles when i burn i look like suntand salami
i dont get paid to belive i get paid to destroy things
Dreamer
4,308 posts
Location: York, England
4,308 posts
Location: York, England
Posted:
*giggles*
granted i've never seen a dalmation with so many spots, but i can't think what else has spots so many!!!! There's places where her skin actually lookd freckle couloured!
Some gingers really don't get as many.
I have a few freckles, not many, i'm definetly pretty solid brown tho, despite what my hair may look like in dom's hallway.....
*giggles*
granted i've never seen a dalmation with so many spots, but i can't think what else has spots so many!!!! There's places where her skin actually lookd freckle couloured!
Some gingers really don't get as many.
I have a few freckles, not many, i'm definetly pretty solid brown tho, despite what my hair may look like in dom's hallway.....
Keep your dream alive
Dreamin is still how the strong survive
Shalom VeAhavah
New Hampshire has a point....
GOLD Member
HoP's Barman. Trapped aged 6 months
4,437 posts
Location: Staines, United Kingdom
HoP's Barman. Trapped aged 6 months
4,437 posts
Location: Staines, United Kingdom
Posted:
The sunburn isnta ginger thing, its a fair skin thing, it jsut happens that gingers also have fair skin, it works because melanin the pigment in the skin which absorbs UV light is absent or very lacking in gingers and fair skinned ppl, and totally not there in albinos and therefore we have little protection from it
The sunburn isnta ginger thing, its a fair skin thing, it jsut happens that gingers also have fair skin, it works because melanin the pigment in the skin which absorbs UV light is absent or very lacking in gingers and fair skinned ppl, and totally not there in albinos and therefore we have little protection from it
An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind
Give a man a fish and he'll eat 4 a day hit a man with a brick and you can have all his fish and his wife
"Will's to pretty for prison" - Simian
activist for HoPper liberation.
1,643 posts
Location: ffidrac
1,643 posts
Location: ffidrac
Posted:
ahhh... but you can work on it, there's some bits of me that don't really burn so much anymore cos they have been burnt to a crisp so many times before... in british sun anyway, ok so when i go anywhere else i am guaranteed a spot of sunburn, (or a pretty pattern, depends which bit i forgot with the sun cream) also when i spent 3 months in Central America, i got very burnt (like blistering burnt) in my first few weeks but henceforth 'twas no more and i didn't even use that much sun cream...! an achievment i think you will agree.... also if we have a chance, i'll show you how sun-tanned my arms really are (in comparison to the belly), only other fair skinned folk could appreciate it!!
oh and back on the subject of ridicule for gingers, and sunburn... recently a train conductor here in slovenia, laughed at me for a good ten minutes because he could see how white my belly was compared to HIS arm (short t-shirt.... i wasn't showing off my suntan... or maybe i did?
i can't remember now...)
i'm working on the freckle theory, i was aiming to join them all up and look suntanned for evermore, but it's not working and there are still great swathes of skin that go unfreckled.... i don't particularly want permenant tan-lines, just the tan... so i've given up now.
stay sensible ginger folk, stay in the shade!!!
ahhh... but you can work on it, there's some bits of me that don't really burn so much anymore cos they have been burnt to a crisp so many times before...
in british sun anyway, ok so when i go anywhere else i am guaranteed a spot of sunburn, (or a pretty pattern, depends which bit i forgot with the sun cream) also when i spent 3 months in Central America, i got very burnt (like blistering burnt) in my first few weeks but henceforth 'twas no more and i didn't even use that much sun cream...! an achievment i think you will agree.... also if we have a chance, i'll show you how sun-tanned my arms really are (in comparison to the belly), only other fair skinned folk could appreciate it!!oh and back on the subject of ridicule for gingers, and sunburn... recently a train conductor here in slovenia, laughed at me for a good ten minutes because he could see how white my belly was compared to HIS arm (short t-shirt.... i wasn't showing off my suntan... or maybe i did?
i can't remember now...)i'm working on the freckle theory, i was aiming to join them all up and look suntanned for evermore, but it's not working and there are still great swathes of skin that go unfreckled.... i don't particularly want permenant tan-lines, just the tan... so i've given up now.
stay sensible ginger folk, stay in the shade!!!
Aurinko freedom agreement reached 10th Sept 2006
if it makes no sense that's because it's NOn-sense.
BRONZE Member
Macaque of all trades
8,738 posts
Location: wombling free..., United Kingdom
Macaque of all trades
8,738 posts
Location: wombling free..., United Kingdom
Posted:
Something else... You get the saying "fiery red head" are gingers more firey than non-gingers... the most fiery person I have met is not. Anyone had experience of feisty gingers?
Something else... You get the saying "fiery red head" are gingers more firey than non-gingers... the most fiery person I have met is not. Anyone had experience of feisty gingers?
A couple of balls short of a full cascade... or maybe a few cards short of a deck... we'll see how this all fans out.
member
145 posts
Location: Little Rock, AR
145 posts
Location: Little Rock, AR
Posted:
Hmm - I've thought of red hair as being more attractive than blond or brown. But I usually call it Strawberry rather than ginger or carrot top.
and it's true - we light-haired people frizzle in the sun. I get heat rashes and itchy bumps, I more than frizzle, I sizzle
lol I have to avoid the sun, henceforth - I'll never have a nice tan.
Hmm - I've thought of red hair as being more attractive than blond or brown. But I usually call it Strawberry rather than ginger or carrot top.
and it's true - we light-haired people frizzle in the sun. I get heat rashes and itchy bumps, I more than frizzle, I sizzle
lol I have to avoid the sun, henceforth - I'll never have a nice tan. "I'm your Huckleberry."
The muse spake her thought and then there was silence. Thy spiked tongue had melted, only a bitter heart remained.
newbie
18 posts
Location: Brookes Uni, Oxford
18 posts
Location: Brookes Uni, Oxford
Posted:
My sister is a brunette and her skin+sun=red!!!
She has darker white skin then me too!
*basks in the non-burning-fairskinned-ness*
On an annoying note though, my hair goes blonde in parts in the sun which just annoys me *strokes her red/brown hair*
My sister is a brunette and her skin+sun=red!!!
She has darker white skin then me too!
*basks in the non-burning-fairskinned-ness*
On an annoying note though, my hair goes blonde in parts in the sun which just annoys me *strokes her red/brown hair*
GOLD Member
HoP's Barman. Trapped aged 6 months
4,437 posts
Location: Staines, United Kingdom
HoP's Barman. Trapped aged 6 months
4,437 posts
Location: Staines, United Kingdom
Posted:
Its not ginger its, autumn bracken!
Its not ginger its, autumn bracken!
An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind
Give a man a fish and he'll eat 4 a day hit a man with a brick and you can have all his fish and his wife
"Will's to pretty for prison" - Simian
Dreamer
4,308 posts
Location: York, England
4,308 posts
Location: York, England
Posted:
I've definetly found fiery gingers, but they seem to be a little more in control of it than I might have thought. As compared to some non-gingers I know, who are more out of control. But I've not really seen anyone match a couple gingers I know for long term energy and just... inner fire. They're like indestructible.
It bothers me that I sound like one of my friends describing me... I'm neither ginger, nor indestrutible. But I find gingers easier to go along with, they don't yell at me to slow down so much, so there must be some truth to it ...
I've definetly found fiery gingers, but they seem to be a little more in control of it than I might have thought. As compared to some non-gingers I know, who are more out of control. But I've not really seen anyone match a couple gingers I know for long term energy and just... inner fire. They're like indestructible.
It bothers me that I sound like one of my friends describing me... I'm neither ginger, nor indestrutible. But I find gingers easier to go along with, they don't yell at me to slow down so much, so there must be some truth to it ...
Keep your dream alive
Dreamin is still how the strong survive
Shalom VeAhavah
New Hampshire has a point....
SILVER Member
mostly a muppet in need of distraction...
305 posts
Location: bristol, Australia
mostly a muppet in need of distraction...
305 posts
Location: bristol, Australia
Posted:
it has to be said im a fairly badly controlled fiery ginger - i can flare up really quickly for no good reason and get quite fiesty when i need to, or again for no good reason - its not my fault im ginger!
B x
it has to be said im a fairly badly controlled fiery ginger - i can flare up really quickly for no good reason and get quite fiesty when i need to, or again for no good reason - its not my fault im ginger!
B x
Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for a day, set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.
SILVER Member
just a shadow of my former self...
205 posts
Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
just a shadow of my former self...
205 posts
Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
Posted:
is it cause they ginga they get firey? an ex of mine was ginger and she wasnt that fiery, only when i REALLY annoyed her.
maybe because they get hassled so much more gingers tend to be on edge, and then they stand out. you tend to remember a gingers and blondes more imo. i think its just another urban myth.
is it cause they ginga they get firey? an ex of mine was ginger and she wasnt that fiery, only when i REALLY annoyed her.
maybe because they get hassled so much more gingers tend to be on edge, and then they stand out. you tend to remember a gingers and blondes more imo. i think its just another urban myth.
It took a while, but once their numbers dropped from 50 down to 8, the other dwarves started to suspect Hungry.
SILVER Member
mostly a muppet in need of distraction...
305 posts
Location: bristol, Australia
mostly a muppet in need of distraction...
305 posts
Location: bristol, Australia
Posted:
nature or nurture -
i know that i have a very quick fiery temper, and im ginger,
but i dont know if i have a fiery temper because its been impressed upon me for the last 22 years that redheads are fiery people...or because its a trait of redheads.
I do know that there are certain traits which go along with being a redhead. e.g. apparently we bleed more easily/dont clot so well, also redheads are supposed to have a higher pain threshold that non-redheads....but dont ask me for the research, theyre just things ive been told through experience of working in hopsitals and talking to old staff
so my question is nature or nurture...?
nature or nurture -
i know that i have a very quick fiery temper, and im ginger,
but i dont know if i have a fiery temper because its been impressed upon me for the last 22 years that redheads are fiery people...or because its a trait of redheads.
I do know that there are certain traits which go along with being a redhead. e.g. apparently we bleed more easily/dont clot so well, also redheads are supposed to have a higher pain threshold that non-redheads....but dont ask me for the research, theyre just things ive been told through experience of working in hopsitals and talking to old staff
so my question is nature or nurture...?
Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for a day, set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.
BRONZE Member
Mistress of Pink...Multicoloured
6,140 posts
Location: Over There, United Kingdom
Mistress of Pink...Multicoloured
6,140 posts
Location: Over There, United Kingdom
Posted:
I've had a thought today (i know shocking) on my walk to work, as i passed a little girl who had ginger hair, and was wearing glasses.
Most of the gingers i know, (not all though) wear glasses!
I wear glasses and am ginger - so that's one person! Who else on here, who is ginger wears/needs glasses/contacts?
I've had a thought today (i know shocking) on my walk to work, as i passed a little girl who had ginger hair, and was wearing glasses.
Most of the gingers i know, (not all though) wear glasses!
I wear glasses and am ginger - so that's one person! Who else on here, who is ginger wears/needs glasses/contacts?
Never pick up a duck in a dungeon...
SILVER Member
mostly a muppet in need of distraction...
305 posts
Location: bristol, Australia
mostly a muppet in need of distraction...
305 posts
Location: bristol, Australia
Posted:
i wear glasses. (when i can find them!)
i wear glasses. (when i can find them!)
Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for a day, set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.
Dreamer
4,308 posts
Location: York, England
4,308 posts
Location: York, England
Posted:
my aunt wears contacts. but my good friend has perfect vision (curse him!) and he's ginger.
and of the two boys i went to secondary school with who were ginger, (brothers) one wore thick glasses and one had good vision.... so i don't know!
my aunt wears contacts. but my good friend has perfect vision (curse him!) and he's ginger.
and of the two boys i went to secondary school with who were ginger, (brothers) one wore thick glasses and one had good vision.... so i don't know!
Keep your dream alive
Dreamin is still how the strong survive
Shalom VeAhavah
New Hampshire has a point....
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