Is the word ginger insulting?

Was the person english by chance?

It is an insulting term in england as it is a derogatory term for gays.

Cockney slang
Ginger beer= queer

though you did say it was in terms of hair.

I was on a bus today and a middle-aged woman was talking to a young mother with a red-headed baby. "Ginger!" she said. "Is her father ginger?"

You could see the mother flinching. She realised the woman wasn't actually trying to be rude, and said "Ah no, my own hair is a bit gingery." But at first she clearly took it as a rude way of talking about red hair.

I flinched myself. I'd say red-haired, or strawberry blonde, or auburn, depending on the shade. I'd never say ginger unless I was teasing, and I'd only tease if I knew someone well enough that they wouldn't think I was being nasty.

I've red hair and I don't find it insulting. However people have tried to insult me by calling me "ginger", but its water of a ducks back.

Btw, these people weren't Irish so maybe the Mod on that forum was taking the word "Ginger" in an English context, dunno.

I'm a ginger does'nt bother me at all.
Sometimes when i'm reading a book on the green the odd trog
asks me if i've "read pubes".

I must remember that that one.