Do Blonds Have More Fun?

Before I came to Japan, I heard that Japanese people are fascinated with blond hair. I didn't really believe it at the time, but now I've changed my mind.

A girl I work with has light blond hair and bright green eyes. She is constantly being stared at, followed, shouted at, flirted with, harassed, etc. Anytime I go anywhere with her, some random person, usually drunk, tries to talk to us/her. A couple of nights ago, a drunk guy chased us down the street blurting random English phrases like "Hello!" and "Nice to meet you." Last night she was approached three times in fifteen minutes while searching for our friends outside the restaurant. She makes her boyfriend accompany her to and from the train station because she often has men follow her down the street. The staff always use her for demo lessons, special seminars and customer chit chat. Another blond girl I know reports similar incidents and occasionally hears the Japanese word for golden shouted in her direction.

I have light brown hair and hazel eyes. The only people who talk to me on the street are middle aged women who blabber in Japanese. I rarely notice anyone staring at me and no one ever follows me to and from the station. I've never been asked to do a demo lesson or to chat up visitors. The staff always asks blondie, even if she is racing around in a hurry and I and the other brunette employee are obviously doing nothing. Now my hair color could be considered an advantage because I don't really want to talk to random people in the lobby and I certainly don't want to be stalked, but the vain side of me wishes I got as much attention. "Why don't people talk to me," my egotistical side screams "I want attention too! Look at me! Look at me!"

I considered dying my hair much lighter, as a sort of scientific experiment, to see if I got more attention, but then decided that would be pathetic and lame. I don't want to change my hair color to please strangers on the street. Besides, maybe she gets more attention because people find her better looking than me. Fortunately, she is a nice girl who doesn't let all the attention go to her head.

Has anyone else had these kinds of experiences in Japan or other countries? Is blond hair really that intriguing?