How to Be Proud of Red Hair

Redheads might get teased for their fair skin and fiery locks, but they're rarely the type to take it lying down. Whether it's true or not, people with red hair have a reputation for feistiness; perhaps because they spend their youth fighting off bullies in the schoolyard. Here are some ways to take pride in your unique coloring, if you didn't already.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Remember that only 4 percent of the world's population has red hair. That's far less than, say, the percentage of people who are left-handed. In an age of mass marketing, a truly unique appearance sets you apart from the pack.
2. Learn about your redheaded heritage. It turns out that redheads are descended from the Picts, an ancient tribe that settled England, Scotland and Ireland well before the Romans came. They survived Julius Cesar and continued rebelling for hundreds of years.
3. Know that red hair is actually a dominant gene. Unlike those wallflowers, the blonds, who are set to go extinct in less than a hundred years, your kind has a better chance of surviving. Sometimes red hair will skip a generation or two, but it always pops up again.
4. Read "Anne of Green Gables," or just watch the CBC adaptation. It's the classic story of a little orphan girl who struggles with the extra stigma of being redheaded. Spoiler alert: it has a happy ending.
5. Internalize the compliments, ignore the rude remarks. People with red hair might be taunted, but they are also stopped in the street and told how beautiful they are. There's no pleasing everyone, so go ahead and own your red hair.

Tips & Warnings

• Studies have shown that redheads might need more anesthesia than usual before going under the knife. Bring this to your doctor's attention before any kind of surgery.