Redheads really are the world's shrinking violets

The Australian ^ | October 27, 2007 | Caroline Overington

[Dundee]

DEPRESSING news in the September edition of National Geographic: redheads are becoming rarer and could become extinct - some experts say the last redhead could be born by 2060.

Others say the redhead gene can disappear for a generation or two in a family and reappear...

...the proportion of the world's population with natural red hair is down to 2per cent...

On every level, that's surely a tragedy. Before we let this rare and precious species go, has anyone considered what it might be like to live in a world without redheaded women?

...Groucho Marx once admitted... "I don't know why, but whenever I dream of a nurse, she always has red hair. Red hair makes a man want to recover his health quickly, so that he can get on his feet and the nurse off hers."...

Sheer and entirely justifiable terror typically prevents people from joking about redheads in the way they do about blondes. In fact, there are some redhead jokes, but they read like tributes, oozing with awe.

...What is the difference between dating a redhead and putting your hand into a blender? There is a 50-50 chance the blender isn't on.

...If you love a redhead, set her free. If she follows you everywhere, pitches her tent in your front lawn and puts your new girlfriend in the hospital, she's yours.

In the US, they say a trucker will slow down for a blonde, stop for a brunette and back up 500m for a redhead...

A natural redhead is generously sprinkled with freckles and therefore comes with her own built-in board game, known as join the dots.

Yes, they'll be missed. As Mark Twain put it: "While the rest of the species is descended from apes, redheads are descended from cats."

Prrrr.

[Dundee]

I truly hope that we don't loose our redheads. Please, redheads, go forth and multiply.

[P8riot]

Please, redheads, go forth and multiply.

Doin my best, but I'm 51. I have a 29yr old (who is doin his part too - 4 daughters), and a shining redheaded 5 yr old.

[pcottraux]

The ginger kids will fall!

[fieldmarshaldj]

"I truly hope that we don't loose our redheads. Please, redheads, go forth and multiply."

You sure about that, dude ?

[ari-freedom]

here's looking at you, kid

[crazyshrink]

There is hope: Red hair and freckles ... Genetic studies show that some Neanderthals may have had red or fair hair and lighter coloured skin http://www.mpg.de/english/illustrationsDocumentation/documentation/pressReleases/2007/pressRelease200710261/index.html

[OCC]

In the US, they say a trucker will slow down for a blonde, stop for a brunette and back up 500m for a redhead.

Valerie, can you confirm this?

[Just A Nobody]

Just for fun! LOL!

[Old Seadog]

Thanks to “Clairol” redheads will never dissappear. My wife is a “Clairol” redhesd.

[CindyDawg]

I’m doing my part. 2 red headed sons. 5 red headed grandchildren.

[Army Air Corps]

Redheaded women are decreasing?! This is a TRAVESTY!

[TASMANIANRED]

Talking about us...

Calling all Ginger gals.

[ari-freedom]

Here's looking at you, kid

[Army Air Corps]

Thanks to that pic, my train of thought derailed.

[MaggieM]

My daughter is a redhead, but dyes it blond! Such a shame, its a beautiful color naturally and fits her fiery personality :)
It does skip generations. My mother is Italian, my father Irish. None of us 6 kids had red hair.

[radiohead]

Thanks to “Clairol” redheads will never dissappear. My wife is a “Clairol” redhesd.

She's not the only one! I'd dye it bright orange if I thought I could keep my job. I love red hair.

[Army Air Corps]

Why would she want to dye it blonde? G-d made her a redhead, she should flaunt those ginger tresses.

[Perdogg]

Someone told me that there were a lot of redheads in Denmark and Sweden, more so than blonds.

[T Minus Four]

Well, what a misleading and incredibly off-the-mark headline. Shrinking violets are shy and retiring persons. Definitely NOT a description of the typical redhead.

Believe me, the last one will go out kicking and shouting!

[smoothsailing]

HA!!! You're the BEST!!! :-)