If there is something different or unique about you, you might be able to relate to feeling out of place or less attractive than your peers. This is how I have felt most of my life compared to my blonde and brown haired counterparts. I am fair skinned and freckled with naturally curly red hair- a unique combination that isn’t everyones taste.
I am sure that you have heard the idiom Blondes Have More Fun. This comes from the idea that people are more attracted to women with blonde hair and give them more attention.
The story I am about to tell may not have anything to do with the fact that I have red hair. It could totally be more about my personality (which I personally think is friendly and outgoing but can also be blunt and sarcastic at times) or poor fashion sense. I don’t know, but one of my friends certainly thinks that hair color might have something to do with it. <insert confused emoji>
You be the judge.
I have been going to the same gym for almost two years now. There are some people there that I have become friendly with, but I wouldn’t say I have made any real connections. Maybe I have made connections, but no one that I have exchanged numbers with or hung out with outside of the gym. I would say- maybe it took a good eight to twelve months of me going to this gym (which by the way, is a small group training gym) before I felt like a part of the group.
One day, I invite a friend to take a class with me. It was a good class. Normal- like every other day.
We go in, partner up, work-out, stretch, then leave.
After class, my friend and I are standing in the parking lot chatting for a few minutes. My back is to the door of the gym and my friend is facing the gym. While we are talking, I see her smile and wave at someone behind me. I didn’t look, I keep talking. A few minutes later, she smiles and waves at someone else that is walking to their car. I glance over and join in on the wave. We keep chatting for a few more minutes when another woman in our class drives by and with a big smile, waves at my friend while driving by.
My friend says “everyone is so friendly here!”
What?!
No. Everyone is NOT this friendly. I have been going to this gym for over a year and never have this many people waved goodbye to me. Never, has anyone tried to talk to me or go out of their way to say goodbye to me on their way out of the gym.
Of course I did not say that to her, but I thought it.
Once we said our goodbyes I jumped in my car and called my friend “J”. This is a reoccurring theme in my life and she knows about it. She also knows me very well so I knew she could speak into the situation.
“J, I don’t understand. What is wrong with me?! I have worked out here for over a year and she came to one class!”
She laughs. “Janet, it’s not you- she has blonde hair.”
So, what do you think…
As a non-blonde, have you experienced this before?
As a blonde, can you provide insight into this theory?
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Disclaimer: There is more to the story but I thought I would end it there for conversations sake. But because I don’t want my friend “J” to be misrepresented, I want you to know that she continued to call out “superficial societal beauty standards”, and stuff like that. =P
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It has been a few years since I have felt like writing- especially something light hearted.
Thank you for all of your support, and thank you for reading!
❤
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