Re: Where did the term "Ginger" come from when referring to people with red/ foxy hai
How can something be 'too English' ?
Easy, Boxing day as one example.
I'm a red head and have been lucky enough to work all over the world.
In Asia, people would stop on the street and point at me.
In Ireland and Europe in General people didn't care.
In Oz, a red head is called "Bluey"
England is the place with the worse hang up, now don't get me wrong. I have never been victimized because of it, I wouldn't be the type to get bullied.
Two things stick out.
One winter I was in a shop in a queue, I was wearing a wool hat. There was a pregnant women infront of me, she was talking to her mate. They were talking about how things were going, when the pregnant women came out with, " I don't mind aslong as it's not a ginger"
Standing directly behind her, I had to ask. Would a severe disablity not be worse? she face went as red as my hair. Bet she thought twice about saying something so silly next time.
Other time was in a bar in London, I was at the counter ordering a last drink, when a big black man, shouted "Oh Ginger, it's my turn" or something similar. I turned said to him. "Do you think it would be appropriate for me to comment on your colouring? What makes you think it's appropriate to comment on mine?" or something similar, I had been drinking.
As he made his way toward me, it struck me how large this guy was. I thought "oh God, I'm going to die
" he came over shook my hand and paid for my drink, result.
It's not about being PC, it's about using a word in a derogatory manner/tone.