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Approximately 2 percent of the world's population has red hair. While that's nothing compared to the population of red pandas (100 percent ginger, baby), it doesn't mean your chances of running into a matchstick dude (red on top, pale in the middle) aren't good.

Dying to find out if all the "two copies of a recessive gene on chromosome 4" myths are true, but you're not sure how to proceed?

In the interest of helping you play with fire, I, a real live redhead, am offering these ten sacrilegious questions of the Ginger Church that are best left unasked.

10. "Do you dye your hair?"
Do you bleach your moustache?

9. "Can I touch it?"
It's pointless to answer, because you're going to anyway.

8. "Do you know Conan O'Brien?"
It's strictly platonic.

7. "So, does the carpet match the drapes?"
Unless you want to risk hearing, "Actually, it's a hardwood floor," don't ask.

6. "I bet you have a fiery temper."
If having red hair is an indication of a short fuse, then why haven't David Caruso, Danny Bonaduce and Axl Rose gone nuts yet? Okay, bad examples.

Click here to read the top five no-nos.

Better Off Brunette

    Angelina Jolie proves that even the most beautiful face in the world fades under too-golden locks.

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    Ashlee Simpson was just another pre-fab bottle blonde; an auburn shock gives her a likable edge.

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    Beyonce's blond beehive bombed compared to her glam mahogany 'do.

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    Christina Ricci looked washed out under a platinum rinse, while darker hair reveals her bombshell side.

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    Drew Barrymore's chestnut tresses give the free spirit gravitas.

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    Jessica Biel is almost forgettable with white hair, but looks red-hot with brunette locks.

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    Mandy Moore looked like everyteen with her honey highlights; her mocha tendrils are mature and sexy.

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    Rumer Willis's peroxided pixie pales in comparison to a short cut in a chocolate-y hue.

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    Selma Blair's punky white crop put the focus on her 'do instead of her striking features.

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    Lindsay Lohan earns sophistication points when her hair's more beachy than bleachy.

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5. "Did you see that 'South Park' episode where Cartman rags on all the 'ginger kids?'"
Yes, we did. And, yes, we laughed too ... After the tears dried on our cheeks.

4. "Mind if I count your freckles?"
Those aren't freckles. They're tattoos of freckles. Neat, right?

3. "Do you have to wear sunblock all the time?"
Not all the time -- only on days we don't want cancer!

2. "Can you go out in the sun?"
We're redheads, not vampires, you moron.

1. "Are you Irish?"
Actually, Ireland's population is second to Scotland's in terms of redheads. But we can drink them under the table.


Irritating Phrases: Reader Pet Peeves

    from user "Rex": Put me down for the most meaningless phrase in the English language.That being By and large.I have no idea what that means.

    NBC

    from user "lois": "I am from the old school and am irritated by the use of awesome."

    Everett Collection

    User "williamdaley" : I hate hearing basically. Basically, that word is over used.

    Fox

    User "lester": I swear if you took the phrase you know out of the english language 80 of the people in this country wouldnt be able to carry on a conversation.

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    user "Arnie": By far, the worst is any variation on what's up?

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    user "Skeeter": my daughter uses is whatever. Even though she's forty, every time she opens her mouth and utters that word I want to wash her mouth out with soap.

    foam, Flickr

    user "Allison": Not!

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    user "meledstick": I'm "reaching out" but "can't get my arms around" "sharing" "at the end of the day", but I guess it's just my bad.

    shira golding, Flickr

    user "Mike W".: LIKE, every third word in a sentence.

    Paramount

    user "JB": Living in the NYC area I also hate this little gem: How you doing?

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Matt Christensen has written for Maxim, Cosmopolitan and Match.com.