Gingers – Fact or Fiction?
No, whether Gingers exist is not under dispute, but there are things every Ginger should know – and so should the people around them – either because they love their Ginger, or because they should be very careful around them.
We’re out-numbered by just about everyone. The likelihood of twins is 3 in 100 births yet, the ‘Ginger Gene’ or melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) works out at 2% of the world’s population.
Outnumbered or not, I think we can pretty much hold our own. Reputation of our fiery temper precedes us! Probably thanks to the Scottish, Irish and Viking predecessors.
Unless, of course, you’re born in Scotland, Ireland or Scandinavia, where the chances rise to a peak of 13% in Scotland.
MC1R is a mutation in the 16th chromosome, so basically, we’re the start of the X Men.
The MC1R gene must be passed on by both parents, and if both parents have the mutant gene, the chances of a Ginger baby are 25% - if both parents are Ginger, the possibility is 100%. In Britain, as many as 40% carry the mutant gene. That explains Scotland, Ireland and Scandinavia then.
Gingers can’t absorb Vitamin D as efficiently as more ‘normal’ humans but not to worry, we’ve developed our own ability to manufacture it if we’re exposed to low-light conditions.
We bruise easier and need more sedation than ‘normals’ too. An estimated 20% more anesthetic to put us under. That could be one reason we don’t like the dentist. Another reason could be that we have a propensity for sensitive teeth – OUCH!
We’re more sensitive to cold, but also more sensitive to the sun – hey, that can’t be right! But it is… AND we’re more at risk to skin cancer.
On the up-side, we don’t go grey! The colour fades until it’s silvery white.
Ginger hair is more difficult to dye than any other colour (I know!) and it would probably only take if the colour was bleached out first – No thanks!
We usually have fewer strands of hair, but as ours is thicker by strand, it looks like we have more. Personally, mine is ginger in colour but not in texture.
30% of dye for hair is red shades – those that want a change of colour are more likely to choose red!
Gingers were believed to be witches and freckles meant to be marks from the devil. We were put to death just for the colour of our hair. Nice – NOT!
And of course, we have no soul… Actually, that’s not entirely true. Gingers are also reputed to gain a freckle for every soul they steal, so, as you can see… I have thousands of souls.
In Greece we’re supposed to turn into vampires when we die. That’s an interesting concept… I’m allergic to a lot of Greek food so the chances of me visiting Greece is slight, but if I did, the chances of dying from food poisoning is high…
In Poland we’re lucky – if there are three Gingers in a row. In Corsica, we’re unlucky and anyone passing us has to turn around and spit. New Year’s Day ‘First Footing’ in England, a brunette ‘First Foot’ is most lucky, a blonde is next but a Ginger is bad luck… that could be because of the Scottish invaders from way back when.
Russia is named after Rurik the Viking and is translated as ‘Land of the Reds’.
In Denmark it’s lucky to have a Ginger baby.
No, I’m not moving to Denmark
Last but not least, Ferrari’s Testa Rossa translates to Red Head ;)