Pink is not for redheads

After considering her reluctance to wear a silver and black beanie out of the house because of her mother’s Silver Rule (a beanie she presumably likes or would not have bought?) Anairam, over at fra(a)iing, posed the question… ”I am wondering if you also have funny illogical rules - carry-overs from your childhood - that keep you from wearing or doing something?”

Yes, yes, yes. There are several things in fact. I had some very influential people in my life while growing up. Great people. Generally quite sensible people. But with the occasional odd and completely illogical idea that they shared with my impressionable mind. And some of these ideas stuck.

In relation to things I wear, the most enduring rule is that, as a redhead, I should never wear pink.

This is me. My hair is red. I have the freckles to prove it.

And that means that all of these lovely things are apparently out of bounds to me.

Is it just me or are there quite a few shoes in that selection? No surprise really, I do love shoes. And those pink shoes are gorgeous! But, I cannot imagine even buying a pair of pink shoes. Why on earth not? They would be nowhere near my hair. But the rule says, “Pink is not for redheads”.

I know it’s not true. Redheads can look as good in pink as anyone, provided it’s the right shade for their skin tone. But I still don’t own anything pink. Not even pink shoes. Yet!

Well, actually... that’s not entirely true. I do own a pink wig. Bought and worn to a company fancy dress party earlier this year. Perhaps if the real hair is not on show, then I can get away with pink is what I was thinking? I don’t remember. It just seemed the right choice. I don’t think I will ever have the courage to do what Laini Taylor did to her hair to achieve this. It wasn’t red to start with, true, but I think it looks fabulous! She’s fabulous - a wonderful writer and all round creative marvel - and magenta hair is so good on her!

Apart from the pink ban there are all sorts of other things that are apparently true for redheads. Read about some of them here or here if you're interested. The sections on sensitivity to pain and beliefs about temperament I found most interesting. And it's true that I can be a bit fiery. But what’s with the prejudice and discrimination aspect? I don't get it. Apparently the ancient Egyptians were known to burn redheads alive. Because they were redheads. Bizarre. I have been called “Ginger” in my time and I’m pretty sure it wasn’t meant as a compliment. But I don't know why anyone would want to insult me just because of the colour of my hair. Perhaps it’s born out of jealousy? We do make up only about 2 or 3% of the world’s population. Rare. Like rubies.

On the flipside of that, there’s this. Cool!