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Beijing Cabbies Not Allowed to Dye Hair Red
Yesterday I posted about tickets going on sale for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Understandably, China wants to make a good impression on the hordes of international travelers who will descend upon their country. In an effort to control that impression, the government has made a 12-item self-improvement list for cabdrivers.
So, if you travel to Beijing for the games, you can be sure your cabdrivers won't smoke, spit or overcharge. Women won't wear big earrings or have red hair, and men's hair will be kept short. They'll also always use their meter, or they'll run the risk of losing their license.
On the one hand, I feel sorry for cabbies who are having their appearance micro-managed by the Chinese government, but on the other, taking a taxi in a country you're not familiar with -- especially when your language isn't commonly spoken -- can be daunting. Travelers who are confident they can make their way around the city -- without being taken for the proverbial ride -- are far more likely to enjoy their stay.
That being said, what does the government have against red hair?
Filed under: Festivals and Events, China
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 3)
Barb Apr 22nd 2007 4:48PM
I am not offended, I am an old redhead and wouldn't change myself for anything in the world! I love it, and have had a lot of men like me!!! I LIKE ME!!!!
pooper409 Apr 24th 2007 11:52AM
ABSURD!
Malia Apr 22nd 2007 4:56PM
Being a redhead and part Japanese, I happen to know that Asians consider redheads to be bad luck. It's an old hold-over from previous generations. This may explain the reason the Chinese government has banned cabbies from having red hair.
Charles Almon Apr 22nd 2007 4:56PM
Are blondes OK?
jose Apr 22nd 2007 5:13PM
if i were a taxi driver a would be a looser because i did not love myself enought to go to school. that is enought but if on top of that i had a red hair i would be a double bad looking looser. after all cosmetics changes only reveal insecurities. Natural red hair? that is good.
i listen to a psicologist saying that a person with a xtrange look,like those with black hair dressed in black all the time, dont have the same quemestry in their brain as a normal person does. would that be true??
MelD Apr 22nd 2007 5:33PM
It seems that webguy lacks a sense of suspicion and conspiracy and is probably right.
Emily Apr 22nd 2007 6:02PM
hey JAS07 it's in china not korea smart one.
danny Apr 22nd 2007 5:35PM
RED HEADS WILL RULE THE WORLD ONE DAY SOON!!!!!!
AllRed Apr 22nd 2007 5:56PM
I completely agree with Katie (#9) everyone assumes redheads have awful tempers, when in reality, we just stand out. I take pride in being a redhead and if someone has an issue with it I'll tell them to shut up. Let the cab drivers be individuals. What's so wrong about it??
Whatev Apr 22nd 2007 5:57PM
Red haired people. Don't be offended. It does not directly affect you and is not a personal attack. Being offended will not change anything, it's a waste of your energy and you have many more obstacles to overcome as redheads, clearly
Eddie Lucas Apr 22nd 2007 5:58PM
This red hair thing is about control. Next week it'll be the US outlawing anti-Bush thought.
la Apr 22nd 2007 6:09PM
the fact that they aren't allowing them to dye their hair red has absolutely nothing to do with natural (white) redheads. I mean, come on. the entire world is not against you.
it's like an office's dress code. they don't want the cab drivers to seem any scruffier or scarier than cab drivers already seem to most people. let's not forget that even disney had a dress code into the 1980's that required men to have short hair (apparently to keep the hippies out). it's like that only on a larger scale. and with people always bashing china and their human rights violations, they just want to make a good impression.
if you're uncomfortable with what their government dictates, don't go!!
elena Apr 22nd 2007 6:06PM
O..M..G.. WHO CARES WHAT COLOR THE CABBIES HAIR IS.
JUST ANOTHER STUPID RULE THAT WE CARRY ON ABOUT, WHEN THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO ABOUT IT . DON'T LIKE IT...DON'T GO TO THE GAMES. WATCH THEM AT HOME OR BOYCOTT THEM ENTIRELY. LET'S WORRY ABOUT THINGS THAT REALLY MATTER TO US IN THE USA.
KLSuddeth Apr 22nd 2007 6:13PM
My 2 cents:
Im also a 'natural born redhead', and I find the comments that have been made such as, "As a natural redhead, I am hurt and offended" completely RIDICULOUS. I mean really...if the fact that the govt' in china does not want to have their cabbies dye their hair red offends you, then HOW in the world do you exist...or even SUBsist in today's world with all the 'real' things out there that are MEANT to hurt and offend you? Personally, I dont have the time nor the emotional energy to expend upon matters that trivial. Then again, I am one of those people that doesnt base my self image upon what others think of me. Its my opinion that what others think of me is none of my business. Ive lived with that credo for nearly 40 years and it has served me well.
If you want to jump on a bandwagon, fine....but at least have it be relevant....to SOMETHING worthwhile.
Chris H Apr 23rd 2007 8:33AM
This practice doesn't surprise me. China, after all, also doesn't allow anyone under 5'3" or so to get a driver's license. Just like they have height requirements to work in a bank, as well as be a judge or a lawyer. They are as superficial as the U.S....lol
Sylvia Flynt Apr 22nd 2007 6:28PM
What the hell is NOT Professional about being a Redhead you idiot who wrote in at 4:22 pm. I am a natural redhead and I love being a Redhead and look a lot like Reba. Do you think she is not Professional. I think we should ban China forever for this one new rule. Any country that forbids just Red Hair needs to stay to themselves forever and not come into our country. I am outraged not only by them but by your comment about Professionalism. Go to Hell you idiot or better yet go live in China.
Sylvia Flynt Apr 22nd 2007 6:28PM
That comment about Professionalism was not at 4:22pm but at 4:17 by webguy. You are the one that needs to move to China. I am highly outraged and offended and by the way I am a Professional Nurse and I would love to see you go away.
Iceshark Apr 22nd 2007 6:40PM
While I'm sure they have their reasons for doing so, I still can't wrap my mind around the concept. There's nothing wrong or 'diverting' about a redhead, no matter the nationality of that person (well, unless we're talking fire engine red, THAT can be a bit of diversion).
Though not a natural redhead (yes, I dye it, fortunately or un), I happen to be of the mindset that it's a beautiful hair colour and they shouldn't be getting their knickers all in a twist over this.
It's an action bound to offend both natural and bottle fed redheads (among others).
Question: if they ban their cab drivers from being redheads....what are they going to say about those who have come over to compete??
"I'm sorry, miss, your hair coulour is not permitted, I'm afraid you won't be permitted to compete."
Any way you slice it, it's a pie of mountain cow manure...but that's just my opinion.
Linda Apr 22nd 2007 6:40PM
I have always wished my hair was red. Red hair is my absolute favorite. I find men with red hair very attractive. I cant for the life of me understand why red heads are given such a tough time. Red hair is beautiful!!!!
Sue Apr 22nd 2007 6:55PM
I lived in China in the late '80s & remember how peculiar and unnatural it seemed to be that every single person we encountered had precisely the same shade of black hair--as Americans, we are used to seeing a great deal of hair color variation.
Now in Asia you no longer get that "same" color sensation, because dying hair red is the rage--not a natural red, more of a magenta. You wouldn't confuse it for even a split second with "real" red hair but after awhile you do get kind of used to it as the norm. In Taiwan, for example, practically every woman under 40 has done this to her hair. Men are starting to do it too, but unlike the magenta-headed women it seems to me that the men who do it are trying very hard to be "alternative" or edgy. It is much less common among the men & frequently seems to be associated with a spikey, longer haircut and a bit more "attitude."
I'm going to guess the Chinese government, which bottom line is still an extremely repressive government with little interest in personal freedoms, wants cab drivers to look clean cut, safe and all the same. Within that society women usually don't drive cabs, so the red hair prohibition is essentially saying "We don't want any trendy, skateboarder looking cab drivers."