OK, I’m a newbie, but I did do a search on this first and came up empty handed. I’ve dated a few redheads in my time, and my current girlfriend fits the stereotype to a tee, as did the others. Impulsive, funny, full of life and a borderline nymphomaniac. Could they really be a breed apart (I read somewhere that only 5% of the population has red hair) or do they feel they have the freedom and obligation to live up to the legend of being a redhead? Kind of like the old debate; nature or nuture. Opinions? Please be kind, I’m new around here!
Tori Amos.
From a physicians’ point of view, redheads seem to be more sensitive to pain than blondes or brunettes…loads of exceptions.
Does this issue include those who color their hair or just “natural” redheads?
This is a topic better suited for our forum called In My Humble Opinion, russ, so I’ll move it over there for you. Welcome to the Straight Dope Message Board.
Tori Amos isn’t a natural redhead; if you go to her offical site you can get the brand and color dye she uses.
Stereotypes are just that, you’ll find as many redheads that fit it as you do people who fit their birth signs. Personally, while I might seem to fit the description on some points, I feel no obligation to “live up to the legend” of being a redhead(particularly your last item…) which comes to a disappointment to some 
The thing is though, this is a hard question to qualify, who can say if we’re different or not, us or non-redheads? We are only experts on ourselves…
This (male) redhead is definitely not yer typical redhead. I’m quiet, reserved, highly introverted, somewhat wistful, and have a relatively low sex drive. 'Course, I may be a freak of nature. But I do know a redhead (female) who lives up to the stereotype to a T (but she colours her hair a lot; this week’s flavour is purple - maybe that has something to do with it).
Hypothesis: redheaded women are as you describe. Redheaded men are randomly distributed, like the rest of the population.
I say we get together and do a study. I’ll be the control redhead, and you’ll go out, asking out random redheads. Get some assistants to ask out redheaded men, as well. Oh, and get someone to ask me out. Because I’m the control. Yeah. I’m nice, too, and cook well. After we’re done, we’ll count up the internal organs that are still intact versus the number of happy couples, and extrapolate from there.
The same could be used for the old ‘blondes have more fun’ stereotype.
I fit that stereotype!
Wait. Except for the impulsive thing. Not anymore, I’m not.
No, no, no… Your control group has to consist of non-redheads. Mine’s brown, I’ll help out.
Um, for science, of course.
YEAH I fit the stereotype! You got a problem with that?
:::BAP!:::
Didn’t think so.
I fit the stereotype. What’s it to you?
I am always on the lookout for evidence against stereotypes. But the one experience I had with a redheaded gal would seem to support the sterotype. A blow in the case against stereotypes, but a thrilling experience for me.
MY GOD, I LOVE REDHEADS!!!
I’ve noticed that more men say flattering things to me when I’ve dyed my hair red than when I leave it its natural mediumish reddish brown.
I’m sure if I were so inclined, that I could be more…um…active while my hair was dyed than while it wasn’t.
I’ve sort of given up dying my hair now that it’s long enough to require two boxes; although I may ask the current b/f to help me out on that…
Corr
I’ve become less impulsive over the last few years, but otherwise, I fit the stereotype.
What a great group this is…thanks to everone for weighing in (especially the women!) My gut feeling is there is something about redhead women, in general, that sets them apart. Not all, but an impressive number of them. So, back to part of my original post…genetic, evironmental or possibly a little of both? Russ
Redhaired women can be best described as free-spirits. This is generally where the other “stereotypical” behavior is from. This is nature at work. Unfortunately, you do not want to fall in love with a free spirit before her spirit has run its course, otherwise you will find out the hard way. Twice. Speaking from experience.
I have my own theory on this, having been both a natural blonde and artificial redhead. Red hair is very eyegrabbing, even the more auburn or mahogany shades. Hence, those who wear red hair are more likely to be noticed, checked out, hit on or spoken to. These make such a person more likely to be socialized (hard to be antisocial with cute guys hitting on you, but hey, I manage ). It would seem that society, thus, will conspire to create an extrovert of any attractive redhead. Other attributes will develop along with the extroverted personality (are people who stay quiet in bed introverted? But that’s another topic.)
I’ve known my share of fun, free-spirited redheads but never noticed them to be any more inclined towards sexual activity than anyone else. However, I did notice that a good number of them were a bit psychotic and possesive.
Always exciting though. Not to mention beautiful… which is why I’ll continue to be a manmade redhead. =)
I fit the stereotype. Since I was a brunette at the time, I promptly ran out and dyed my hair red. People always use me as an example of the breed, and seem to think it’s natural. Fools. Heh.