Ginger definitely used to be a name that I refused to answer to, however, it seems to be more a part of my vocabulary now. I am more accepting of it now because all gingers have an understanding with each other-- that is, we all know the struggles. Here are common struggles that gingers everywhere face.
1. Things people say to gingers
Let me just take you through the daily conversation:
a. “Is that your real hair color?”
- Yes, of course *hair flip*
b. “Can I touch your hair?”
-Ummmmmmmmm…… No. (The biggest culprits of this are the sweet old ladies)
c. “Did you know you are going extinct?”
-Yes, I have seen all the same research as you have. Trust me.
d. “You should marry another ginger so you can have ginger babies.”
-I am working on it okay.
2. The problem with sunscreen.
You always have to put sunscreen on no matter what. Open the car window? Burn. Open the blinds in your house? Burn. Walk outside at night? Moon burn.
The worst is having strangers come up to you and offer their sunscreen to you as tribute. I guess people are always looking out for gingers and our well-being. Or they are blinded by our white skin and think that a layer of sunscreen will help their eyes.
3. Ginger jokes and how they aren’t funny.
You may think that you are being clever, but trust me, we have heard what you are about to say. So just don’t say them, or else you will see a ginger snap.
But seriously they aren’t funny.
4. People thinking we all look alike.
When you are walking with your non-ginger friends, they will tell you that they see someone who could be your twin. You look around for awhile and eventually give up, not seeing anyone that looks a lot like you, and ask where. They point to a girl who is 5’11, has a round face, and red head. You are a 5’2, heart-shaped face, red head. Cousins? Maybe. Twins? No.
5. That being said, when you see another ginger you automatically have a connection.
I don’t know if it is because they understand the struggles or what, but ginger friends are friends forever.
(Shout out to mine for helping me come up with these)
6. People always try to relate.
Whenever you meet someone new or talk about being a ginger, they always try to relate saying they know someone ginger. For example, I talk about always having to wear sunscreen and they say, “Oooohhh yeah, I totally understand. My uncle’s step-grandma’s best friend’s sister has red hair.” May be to make conversation or may be because they secretly want to be ginger too. Probably the latter, but who knows.
7. The middle school phase.
Middle school was rough for everyone. However, gingers had an entirely different level of rough. Why is that? The answer is simple— "South Park". Not only was I an insecure girl with buck teeth and glasses, but I also had no soul. Needless to say, I was not a "South Park" fan.
Despite the struggles of being a ginger, we should all be proud of our red hair. So all you gingers out there, strut your stuff because we have a color that can't come from a bottle.
