Monday, January 28, 2008

questions like you are an alien

Current mood: luminous

During lunch today, a non-regular at our lunch table spouted out that I look like the Ice Queen from Narnia (which I have actually heard once before). Only vaguely recalling the story from childhood and never having seen the movie, I didn't know what the Ice Queen looked like. So, I asked.

Innocent enough, right?

Well, it started an entire conversation about redheads in general. I threw out facts I knew. They threw out facts they'd heard. Turned out to be a rather interesting conversation and I thought I'd share a few of the highlights… and quite possibly trash a few of the stereotypes (NO! We don't ALL have quick, fiery tempers, dang it all!!!!) he he he

But first, I have to dispute the suggestion that I look anything like the Ice Queen. Aside from being tall and thin with red hair, I take full offense to the idea that I look anything like this!

Moving on.

Did you know that red hair is caused by what is essentially a defective gene? That's right, folks. Technically, I'm a mutant! This is why it's possible for non-redheads (like both my parents) to have a redheaded child. And vice versa (one or two redheaded parents does not necessarily equal a redheaded child). Not only does the defective gene cause red hair, but a mutated MC1R protein is found in our skin and eyes (making us sensitive to ultraviolet light and usually lending to blue, green or light eyes).

Did you know that redheads require a higher-than-normal dosage of anesthetic during surgery? I don't fully grasp the details surrounding this phenomenon, but it's true. Look it up. Medical journals and all that garb. In fact, when I was knocked out to have my half-formed wisdom teeth removed, I woke up during surgery. Yeah. Fab. That's kinda scary, actually. I pray for never requiring surgery again.

There is also a study that suggests redheads have a higher pain tolerance. According to the study, the jury is still out when it comes to a definitive answer. But personally, I find most pain to be tolerable. I mean, I rarely cried from injuries as a child. A massive dog bite to the face, a chipped ankle bone from skateboarding, a busted knee from my first and last attempt at rollerblading, softball to the shoulder, a busted head when, in my excitement, I was competing in the 200 backstroke and missed the overhead flags and my coach's voice warning me of the approaching wall, and the list goes on. Not one tear. It hurt, but I could bear it.

Did you know that redheads are depicted in a great number of 19th Century and early 20th Century artworks? For example, Sandro Botticelli's The Birth of Venus, Edmund Blair Leighton's Accolade and God Speed, Sir Frank Dicksee's Lady Godiva, John William Waterhouse's Lamia, Walter Crane's La Belle Dame Sans Merci and Anthony Frederick Augustus Sandys' Mary Magdalene to name a few.

The myth that redheads are a dying breed is just that… a myth. A trend has indeed shown a lessening number of people with red hair in the world. However, because the cause of red hair is a recessive gene, it is possible for it to reoccur at any time. Therefore, there is always the possibility for a person to be born with red hair even if "extinction" occurs.

I joked about the temper before, but as one might think, there is absolutely no scientific evidence to support the idea that redheads have a temper any hotter than people with other hair colors. However, in The Iliad, Achilles has red hair. It is thought that this may have contributed to the myth of temperament.

It was an interesting conversation. Odd to have people ask you questions like you are an alien or so very different from who they are. "Do you feel pain?" "Do your eyes get sunburned?" Might as well have asked if I pick up radio signals with my ears. I should have just held my fingers in a V-shape and started speaking Klingon.

And as for my temper (the question most asked at the table)…. Yes. I suppose I do become easily irritated and will let words fly. Usually, however, it's only strangers who witness that sort of craziness. Most times, I am able to keep my cool around people I know I'll see again! Most times. ;)