Greer on Gingas
My brother and members of my family are ginger, and I know in my heart of hearts I carry a recessive ginger gene and there is a chance I will have ginger children myself.
At what state in a dating/relationship scenario do I need to admit this to my beau? Some friends say it should be at the first coffee, but I’d hate to scare them off before they know my redeeming features (I have quite nice toes, for example).
Please help.
Not this is serious issue. I tend to think it should be mandatory disclosure at a first date. Maybe even a criminal offence not to disclose – like with certain communicable diseases.
What do others think?
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Tags: gingas
October 6th, 2009 at 10:34 am
I would double check as soon as possible that she was a natural ginga.
October 6th, 2009 at 10:40 am
It’s probably the reason for a huge percentage of the divorce rate. A hanging offence not to raise it at the first available moment. Even those with the recessive gene should be forced to wear signs round their necks. Oops, that sounds a bit Nazi v Jew. Oh what the heck, we’re talking red hair here people!
October 6th, 2009 at 10:40 am
I’d support the government giving a lifetime supply of free condoms to ginga kids.
I’d be happy to pay increased taxes to cover this. Or to see police and nurses sacked to free up funds for what is a much higher priority.
October 6th, 2009 at 10:41 am
I think you misread the e-mail – unless you copy and pasted it incorrectly, it was asking about state not stage. So options are probably along the lines of sober, tipsy, drunk, smashed, stoned, stoned + smashed, etc. In which case I think the question also makes more sense.
October 6th, 2009 at 10:47 am
also..the government should look at criminalising any attempts to conceal gingaritis…
..by the likes of hair dye..head/pube-shaving..
(maybe a central register..?..available online..?
implantable chips..?..that we could scan with our cellphones..?..)
then there’d be nowhere for them to hide..)
(and..possibly a repatriation to ireland/scotland/w.h.y scheme..?..)
phil(whoar.co.nz)
October 6th, 2009 at 11:04 am
Easy solution: date non-whites.
October 6th, 2009 at 11:10 am
I must admit that I also carry a recessive ginga gene – My grandfather was often likened to a ginga Errol Flynn.
I must now publicly acknowledge (somewhat ashamedly) That i did not divulge this fact until after my daughter was conceived! Yes, It was a very cold few months until my daughter was born.
You can then also imagine my relief and surprise that my (very biological) daughter appeared to be of African descent when she was born! This raised more than a few eyebrows As both her mother and I are very european in origin..
Happily though, It just turned out to be the shrivelled prune effect
October 6th, 2009 at 11:12 am
Any Gingas in the family, or Ginga genetic heritage should be stated up front on the first date. It is unfair on the other partner if they only told this only after they have committed to another person. In the context of wider society the govt should be funding programs to reduce and hopefully one day eliminate the ginga issue. Ginga children should be taught it is their social and moral responsibility not to breed and funding for voluntary sterilizations should be offered when they reach puberty. We should also consider offering payments to adult Ginga’s who currently don’t have children if they formally sign up to a scheme not to have kids. Current Ginga’s do need to be treated with compassion and understanding because its not their fault they are like this. By working with the Ginga community and appealing to their own sense of personal responsibility and common sense we will one day be Ginga free
October 6th, 2009 at 11:14 am
Look, boys, if you really don’t wanna have ginger kids, marry an Asian woman. Asians don’t carry the recessive gene. I know a guy who’s marrying a Japanese woman very soon for just that reason.
October 6th, 2009 at 11:17 am
Ginger jealousy disguised as gingerphobia.
Ginger rules. Red heads triumph.
We are the elite colour.
We are the offspring of the Gods
October 6th, 2009 at 11:19 am
The Crafars are gingas! Never trust a ginga – they’re trouble.
October 6th, 2009 at 11:24 am
Does a gingas curtains actually match the carpet?
A question I’ve always wanted to know
October 6th, 2009 at 11:36 am
Firstly a disclaimer: I’m not a ginga, there are no apparent ginga genes in my family tree.
However I’m appalled at the current ginga bashing that goes on. Being a ginga is a genetic trait and teasing people about being ginga is exactly the same as teasing people about their skin colour. It is a genetic trait they have no control over.
How would people react if she said;
[DPF: I believe 99% of ginga teasing is good natured and friendly. Just as short people get teased, tall people get teased etc. I actually think female redheads are often stunningly attractive, but doesn't stop me hassling them for being redheads]
October 6th, 2009 at 11:37 am
Get over it Burt! There is nothing more fun than winding up a ginga!
October 6th, 2009 at 11:43 am
wynkie
Asians are also bad drivers – ha ha ha
October 6th, 2009 at 11:44 am
Unless that ginga was Chinggiz Khan. He is a good example of why they should never be trusted.
October 6th, 2009 at 11:48 am
burt (3516) October 6th, 2009 at 11:43 am:
Burt (sigh)Its a joke.
For the record: I AM A GINGA!
Find a paper bag Burt and breath deeply into it.
October 6th, 2009 at 11:49 am
I agree. I also think that familial disposition towards male pattern baldness and genetic obesity should be disclosed as early as possible to avoid unfortunate situations.
October 6th, 2009 at 11:51 am
Richard Hurst
How sad was it that Michael Jackson wanted to bleech his skin…. He should have just got over all the nigger jokes eh…. Perhaps he needed a paper bag to breath deeply into….
October 6th, 2009 at 11:53 am
Fibreman > I also think that familial disposition towards male pattern baldness
Or female pattern baldness. Altho I’d rather be with a bald woman than a ginga one.
October 6th, 2009 at 11:54 am
I don’t understand this.
Redheads are hot.
October 6th, 2009 at 11:59 am
“There is nothing more fun than winding up a ginga!”
For who?
I think most people who are bashing think it is funny rather than being arseholish, but jokes seem to be scarce, it seems to just become an excuse to abuse a minority. The targets usually try and laugh it off, but it can hurt deeply, with no chance of doing anything about it.
Most racial and nationality jokes can have a response, eg darkie/honky, aussie/kiwi. But physical attribute jokes usually have a defenseless target, eg fat, short, hair colour.
Think about it. And if you get fun out of hurting people, carry on.
October 6th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
DPF
Sure no worries, but your reaction to Robert Owen taunting you about physical attributes tells a different story.
[DPF: And that is the difference between taunts based on hatred, and good natured hassling. My friends are allowed to hassle me on whatever attributes they want. My enemies do not get that privilege]
October 6th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
Everyone needs a ginga in their lives….including the All Blacks.
Bring back James Ryan!
October 6th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
A lot of lot can be. Especially in person when you can jest and joust and see the reactions, and know when you overstep.
But much of this thread is far from good natured and friendly teasing.
October 6th, 2009 at 12:18 pm
It’s just more bullying really. The fun bit about claiming that it’s good natured and friendly is now someone can’t object because they look humorless, even if it’s actually hurtful and they’ve had to deal with this kind of shit for years.
Remember, bullying is the fault of the target!
[DPF: I hate anti-semitism, but when my mates hassle me for helping kill Jesus I don't think they are bullying me. There is a world of difference between bullying and good natured ribbing. Now maybe not so much when you are 10 years old but this blog is for adults]
October 6th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Its nice there are sensitive souls out there like Burt and Pete George that will without being invited to take umbrage at just about anything and rush to the defense of anyone they perceive as being a victim or seek to stamp out something they perceive as offensive to create a nicer, ordered and perfect world. Good on ya chaps. You’ve managed to turn what was a post and thread based on humor into a series of serious and grim accusations of racism and minority bashing. Well done. You are both truly children of our times.
I would take my hat off to you, but all this teasing and mocking has made me feel too oppressed and frightened to reveal my wavy red locks.
October 6th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
I was being good natured and teasing Pete George – honest, and like DPF, I think many red headed women are stunning.
Richard Hurst = very amusing.
October 6th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
Red-headed women are smokin’ hot in the sack.
October 6th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
And Jason Eaton’s Beard.
Amen to that Brother.
October 6th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
What is it, this ridiculing of ‘gingas’?
I was rudely introduced to this when I noticed one day that my granddaughter had what appeared to be gingerish hair. I mentioned this to my son, her father.
He looked stricken, and shuddered, as if he had received a terrible news. ‘No! Dad! No! I forbid you to EVEN mention ginger or ginga anywhere around me or my daughter!’
Naturally, I’ve ignored him. I don’t get it.
My godson is ginger (going gray, poor boy – heh). I have nieces and nephews with red and ginger hair.
What’s wrong with ginger/ginga?
October 6th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
Auberon, I know that most at least was intended as good natured. But one person’s humour can be another person’s hurt.
I was born and grew up a ginga. Mostly it hasn’t seemed a problem. I was called the usual names at school but it was mostly good natured, and I was lucky that I didn’t lose my temper so it was never played on much. I’m not ginga any more, it took years to realise that I had gradually changed to an anonymous brown. But I still have a feeling of being different.
The thing I am most proud of is having had three great kids. When my oldest daughter was born a friend of my wife joked that as she didn’t have my hair she wouldn’t have to be sent back (or something like that). I laughed off the comment, but it caught me by surprise, and it hurt, deeply. I think that is why this thread pushed some buttons.
That daughter is due to have her first baby soon. I hope she doesn’t come across any ginga jokes like on here, especially about being eliminated, she has enough other worries to contend with. And I hope my grandchild isn’t ginga, because I would hate for it to have to put up with what I have seen some gingas try to deal with, with a false smile or an uncontrollable rage. Even if it was just joking.
I don’t know how many gingas can always just laugh with the jokes, and I don’t know how many laugh them off because to show sensitivity to it can be an opening for hurt. I have thought hard before being open that I am ginga. I have been abused and called many things on the blog, and that doesn’t bother me. But now I feel vulnerable to irrelevant and unanswerable personal taunts aimed at my appearance, and at my family, my right to exist. Not everyone here is just joking.
[DPF: Real prejudice against gingas is as logical as prejudice against the colour on the eyes. God forbid there really are people that stupid but they are a small minority.
Most people at school get hassled for something unless they are large and violent. If not the hair colour, your height. I was called the Laughing Gnome (and Damien). I don't want height jokes stopped.]
October 6th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
My sister in law is a fiery red head (and her path should never be crossed) but I wouldn’t have a clue what she’s like in the sack. But I guess my bro thinks she’s pretty good!
October 6th, 2009 at 1:38 pm
“I hate anti-semitism, but when my mates hassle me for helping kill Jesus I don’t think they are bullying me. ”
It was the Romans. Anyway the statute of limitations has passed (as Harlan Ellison was fond of saying).
OT It’s unlikely Jesus was a ginga, but I am sure he would have regarded gingas as amongst his people anyway. Just not as good as all the non-gingas.
October 6th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
“I don’t know how many gingas can always just laugh with the jokes, and I don’t know how many laugh them off because to show sensitivity to it can be an opening for hurt. I have thought hard before being open that I am ginga. I have been abused and called many things on the blog, and that doesn’t bother me. But now I feel vulnerable to irrelevant and unanswerable personal taunts aimed at my appearance, and at my family, my right to exist. Not everyone here is just joking.”
Well said PG brought a tear to me eye. I propose we all stop taking the urine out of gingas (except for any that are in the Liarbore caucus).
October 6th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
Pete George: I had zits. Calls of “the birds, the birds,” and suggestions I’d received a 12 gauge to the face weren’t pleasant, but despite this some of the protaganists are my best friends. Life’s tough – but I’m sorry if you took offence.
October 6th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
D’you know, I think it’s a combination of gender and genetics.
Ginga/Ranga blokes look silly (seen Ronald McDonald lately), and I say that as someone of celtic heritage (although most definitely NOT a ginga).
As to women, I think James Bond (the realy one – Sean Connery) said it best when in reply to the question (I think from “Plenty”) “Do you like blondes, Mr Bond” he said effectively that he doesn’t have a preference “…as long as the collar and cuffs match…”
October 6th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
God this blog has some humourless bores.
Whenever a slightly humourous post is made you can bet that the KB gang of fun police, wowsers, PC Officers and hall monitors will be out in force. This thread is no exception I see
October 6th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
Pete/Cerium George 1:34 pm,
I know what you mean Pete/Cerium.
I guess I’ve had similar reactions for openly professing my Christianity; some from (other) people on this blog, although only a select few admittedly.
I have also been persecuted at one place of employment, not by fellow employees but, by my boss. He just hated Christians I found out later. Now that made for a VERY unpleasant work environment, let me tell you. I guess though, for me, I perceive this to be an attack primarily on Christ, and upon me only in the sense that I am one of His disciples, as opposed to something you’re born with. Still, it’s something that I’m confronted with from time to time as I go through life.
I believe of all ‘groups’ the most persecuted and maligned people are the Jews; Christians would be a close second when considering current events and past history.
So while we can laugh and have a joke about an individual’s traits/culture/religion, often there is a ‘sharp edge’ to those comments which can indeed be hurtful for the target group.
Having said that, whenever I hear ‘Short People’ by Randy Newman I always have a chuckle; especially when I think on the irony contained in the lyrics. Indeed, “short people got no reason to live.”
October 6th, 2009 at 3:59 pm
Each time DPF posts a ginga crack at his ginga mate, the same thing happens on here.
I’ll say it again: as a red haired, left handed, catholic son of a solo mother, I find Kiwiblog a tough place at times
October 6th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
i wear spectacles..!..
(no..!..no..!..don’t start..!..)
this is for the really dumb..who have had a s.o.h. byepass..
ginga jokes are jokes because there is no malice there..
anyone who truly held such a prejudice..
would be as stupid/irrational as any other racist…
eh..?
they are also a valuable mirror..to highlight that stupidity/irrationality of judging anyone ‘cos of colour of skin..or w.h.y..
my experiences are that scumbags come in all shapes/sizes and shades..
eh..?
i hold no particular brief for or against any of them..
trust no-one..!..i say..!
phil(whoar.co.nz)
October 6th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
shouldn’t it be ‘christians got no reason to live..?’..there..?..k.k.k..?
literally..?
seeing as they are just in a waiting room..
longing for the day they will go to their ‘father’..?
(their special friend in the sky..?)
phil(whoar.co.nz)
October 6th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
I am a ginga minga. Got called fire Burns at school. I think the man in the sky has a kewl sense of humour unlike the deranged phool whore nutbar.
October 6th, 2009 at 11:55 pm
Only the lucky can breed ginga!
October 7th, 2009 at 9:03 am
philu 7:09 pm,
In a sense you’re right.
The ONLY reason a Christian remains on earth after receiving salvation is to spread the gospel to those still lost in their sins. So when you break it all down, Phil, you are one of my reasons for still being here.
If somehow God can get through to you (or others) through my words here then I guess I’m fulfilling my purpose.
Your purpose is to come to Christ while there is still time; before you leave this earthly sphere. Your choice.
October 7th, 2009 at 9:59 am
Simple and convenient answer. If it is recessive, there will not be a problem unless the guy also has a recessive ginger gene. So there is no reason for her to say anything before he does.
October 8th, 2009 at 8:46 am
i know i’m ‘right’..
and here is something else i am ‘right’ about..
kkk..you are a sanctimonious prat..
and couldn’t be a more telling example of the perversion of christian ideals/ideas..
to fit in with your prejudiced/twisted/hate-filled/judgmental world view..
phil(whoar.co.nz)
October 8th, 2009 at 9:01 am
“to fit in with your prejudiced/twisted/hate-filled/judgmental world view..”
that’s fucken rich coming from you phool
October 8th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
Phool, for some reason, reminds me of one of the scenes in the movie ‘Lord of War’.
The one where Jack Valentine (Ethan Hawke’s character) speaking of Yuri Orlov (Nicolas Cage’s character) says, “He must be lying … He’s talking”.
I don’t know why, it just does.