causing offense?

Well, Fennel I wasn't raised to be a victim, far from it. In fact, I was told to ignore the frequent bullying insults and the old adage 'Sticks and stones...' was often quoted at me.

That made me feel as though I was of no consequence, because no one stood up for me. My feelings were discounted and my unhappiness ignored.

Just to say Ginger Baker has died.
He didn’t seem to mind his nickname.

I am sorry but that is quite irrelevant Fennel
Just accept that in England, “ginger” is a derogatory term and it is bad manners, not to say unacceptable to use it.
Would you say of a (possibly) overweight toddler “He’s a chubby little chappie then” or one wearing glasses “who’s a cute little 4-eyes” ? Or draw attention to a toddler with very thin or sparse hair ?
No?
Just accept that “ginger” is not the word to use and move on.

ok one more post and I'll shut up.
What really concerns me is that children are being raised as potential victims, feeling sensitive, and not encouraged to fight their own battles. Which they will meet many times in their lives. Parents and grandparents won't always be there to protect them.
What will happen if there's another war (God forbid)? They'll have to go and fight. Could they do what these young men did in WW2?
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6454549/Stunning-photos-reveal-brutal-conditions-faced-sailors-protecting-WW2-Arctic-Convoys.html
I would always stick up for people who are physically disabled, if they were being persecuted.
But those of us with ginger/ auburn hair are lucky.

Callistemon, Ginger and Simply were adults who choose to highlight ( see what I did there) a feature.

A child in a buggy with a rather embarrassed granny in a confined area is not the same thing at all.

I used to dye mine auburn.
This has started me thinking whether some copper highlights might be good.

Words are very strange. I don't believe I have ever seen 'red' hair unless dyed properly red. Carrot coloured yes, ginger (as in the colour of the biscuits) yes, auburn, yes, strawberry blonde no ... looks neither strawberry colour nor blond. I would have loved hair any of those colours rather than boring mousey and straight. Oh how I longed for curls which also seem to be unacceptable. I don't remember any of my friends being called names because of their hair though as I grew older I became mystified as I learned of the comments people had to suffer, not only 'redheads' but 'blonds', 'mouseys' and 'blackheads' (not to mention skin colours!)

Am I naive because I see only the person and not what they look like? Having said that I now tend to dye my hair burgundy, cherry, golden brown - yes anything with a reddish tint! Maybe that says something about me!

Or Ginger Rogers

Simply Red, Fennel

Still trying to justify your remark, Fennel? I think it's best to stop digging.

Sorry to hear of his passing, but he had a good long life and very timely for this thread:
www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-49827436

Wow. You have to ask??

Newatthis, He is going to have red hair for life, hopefully he will grow up to be proud of it, & take no notice of labels.

We say ‘ blondie’ is this ok ?
My young hair was described as ‘mousey’
I cant decide if we are getting over sensitive about everything or not , I can’t recall getting upset by it .I certainly wouldn’t now.

I say seeing that the boy was in a pushchair then fortunately HE was too young to take offence at this comment which yes, was very offensive. If the child had have been older than a comment like this may have stuck with him for life!

Good advice indeed, but difficult to remember
GrannySomerset.
All part of guarding our tongues. I should have known better.

As a child I was taught never to comment on anything which the subject of the comment had no power over, especially names and appearance. Excellent advice, I now think.

Ach, we all say and do things that we wish we could undo - I’m still mortified by something I did earlier in the week and I’m so upset that I caused the other person to be embarrassed . I think the thing is to ‘own it’ as the young ‘uns say - admit you made a mistake, wittingly or unwittingly, and file it under ‘must not do or say again’ as opposed to shrugging and complaining about other people being too sensitive nowadays.

OK - I understand .
I hope I'm not starting with dementia etc. Tactless words in social situations is one of the symptoms.

I still don't understand why some people find it so offensive

People have explained why, but if you still don’t understand, you likely never will. However, please take away from this that it’s impolite to comment on people’s physical characteristics.

You don't need to understand why it's offensive to some, Fennel. You simply need to accept that it is.

Fennel - red hair is associated with the Celts.

My young cousin had the most beautiful dark red hair, I always admired it, but when I saw her again after a few years she had gone grey. She said she always disliked her hair, but it was, quite honestly, stunning.

Fennel it’s been explained time and time again why people find ginger nut offensive. If you still don’t understand it that’s fine - you just need to accept it is for many. Knowing that, I’m sure you’ll refrain from making a similar comment about a child you know in future as I don’t imagine you’d intentionally want to cause any offence or upset.

ps and if I ever see the child and Gran again I'll apologise.
I've learnt my lesson.