Red Hair and a Green Coat

I'd like to discuss my efforts at blending in and looking like a Milanese. I am failing miserably here, people. I try really hard, every day, to no avail.

I wear leather boots, suede gloves, a winter coat, skinny jeans, sunglasses and a big scarf and I fail. Mind you, I wear all this and it's not even cold outside... toughen up, Milan! Also, I rarely even use my cell phone out in public anymore. I know where I'm going on the metro and don't have to look at the map anymore. I am trying so hard!!!!

As it turns out, VERY FEW people in Milan have red hair. The only ones with red hair are usually middle-aged woman that have died it this color... not that there is anything wrong with that (Mom)! Also, it turns out that green coats aren't all that popular in Italy either... I know my Alpha Gam's are probably not surprised by this statement. In the morning the metro is a sea of black... or maybe a little grey. The older ladies wear long brown fur coats, which are very pretty and I would like one of these for sure. However, I only have one winter coat here, so it's what I wear. And I still fail. I'm not about to dye my hair dark brown; I love you, Milan, but not that much. And so I stick out. People stare. People give me weird looks. Maria, the young Italian who lives with us, says it's because I look "exotic" but I think it's because in Italy staring is socially acceptable. At this point, I just give it right back to the starers. You stare at me? I stare at you. I am not on display here.