Much as I appreciate the compliments, there's a down side.
For example, does anyone have a good comeback for the many occasions when absolute strangers (usually male strangers) have asked: Is all your hair red? There are some variations, but that's the gist.
It's been going for 54 years now, but that question still takes me by surprise. I usually turn and walk away. Not the best repsonse to a "teachable moment" perhaps, but someone who thinks that kind of thing is a witty opener is probably unteachable.
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11 comments:
I am a tiny bit over six feet tall and have been barraged with "you're so TALL!" all my life.
Funny thing is, I've never heard anyone say to someone, "you're so short!". Why is one socially acceptable, and the other not?
And, guess what, I actually know that I'm tall. I've been trying to find clothes that fit for 53 years!
Not quite the same as the rudeness you've encountered...but the ignorance and inappropriateness some folks share with the world is sometimes stunning. Thank goodness there's all the fun, thoughtful folks out there, too!
A friend with jet-black hair, creamy skin and bright blue eyes used to get similar remarks and her response, very calmly stated, was: you'll never know.
my word is magglat I think it might be a Hungarian noun for a soothing drink, like posset?
That's sooo inappropriate, isn't it?! Karen L R, we will look quite a sight if we ever get to stand next to each other, as i'm barely 5 feet tall and probably weigh more than you do *lol*...and i've had people comment on how short i am! A couple of guys who i used to work with would tease me saying things like "stand up, Paula" "oh, you are standing up!" It was good humored, and i don't usually mind being short...but it certainly wasn't polite.
Say, Melanie, i see that Halloween mentioned that you got yourself a kitten for your birthday??? Could we see some pictures and hear some more about him or her?
My mom and my daughter are both redheads, I ended up with an auburn shade of brown. I remember people asking my mom what hair dye she used...When my daughter( who is also named Melanie!) was a baby we could never just shop or stroll without numerous people stopping to comment on her hair. Some strangers even reaching out to touch her head! That usually set me off telling them how rude it was. People can be so wierd about some things.
My Mom used to tell a story about a man plunging into traffic to get across the street so he could touch my hair. I was a toddler then, but I still have people sneak up behind me and put their hands in my hair -- HELLO!! I'm a sentient being and I know you're back there.
Women usually ask or comment about hair dye -- "You can't get that out of a bottle" is the most typical phrasing. I suppose it's intended to be sisterly camaraderie. I think I'm going to cut it off and dye what's left brown. You can get that out of a bottle. I've done that before and I enjoyed blending in without having to commute to Glasgow. Scotland has the highest percentage of redheads per capita of any country in the world. It's the only place I've ever been where I did not have a single comment or conversation about my hair. For this -- and for many other reasons -- I love Glasgow, but it costs more than Clairol.
Ugh.
How about, You know what they say about redheads, don't you...etc
Then there are the bitchy women who don't BELIEVE that one's hair is red. That when I say, Well, honey, I'm not about to prove it to you...not until we know each other a little better.
One of the many things that is said about redheads is "oversexed" -- so I'm not sure "you know what they say. . ." would have quite the frost I'm hoping to achieve.
Nooo, I mean They say, to the redhead, "You know what they say..." etc
Oh, I see. Yes, that one. On the continuum of bluntess, it's a step or so nearer to "hey, fire-crotch."
On a cheerier note, the wv is "hysop."
I love your red hair! However, I can understand how you'd hate it when men are so rude as to make the comment you've shared (yech!) or when people make a fuss.
I confess I can't think of a snappy comeback. Bummer.
How about answering the question with a question, like "I've always wondered what a socially inept person looked like, thank you for showing me".
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